Council Meeting Minutes will be posted after they are approved at the following meeting.
The Borough of Somerset Council Meeting
August 24th, 2026 - 5:00 p.m.
1. Meeting Called to Order– Vice-President Shaulis
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Roll Call
a) Borough Council Members present: Lori Barnhart, Lee Hoffman, Sue Opp, Steve Shaulis, Ian Mandichak and Mario Dirienzo.
b) Borough Council Members absent: Pam Ream.
c) Also present: Mayor Fred Rosemeyer.
d) Also present were the following: Borough Manager, Michele Enos; Borough Manager In Training, Roger Bailey; Municipal Authority Manager, Jessica Sizemore; Director of Finance, Brett Peters; Assistant Director of Finance, Matthew Franciscus; Chief of Police, Rich Appel; Consulting Engineers, Tom Reilly & Jake Bolby.
e) Public Attendance: Alec J. Bittner, Janice Forry, Rebecca Senft, Barb Lynch, Melanie Heiple and Doris Volkert.
4. Approval of Agenda: Consider approving the agenda as presented, with the addition of the Somerset Regional VFD request for a donation as a Tee-Sponsor for their upcoming golf outing.
Motion
Mr. Hoffman moved, Mr. Dirienzo seconded, to approve the agenda withthe addition of the Somerset Regional VFD request for a donation as a Tee-Sponsor for their upcoming golf outing.
Motion Unanimously Carried
5. Announcements:
a) Mr. Bailey mentioned that there will be a Borough Picnic at the FOE picnic grounds September 4th at 11:30 a.m., and that all Borough Council and the Mayor are invited.
6. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting(s)
a) July 27th, 2026 – Borough Council Meeting Minutes.
Motion
Mrs. Opp moved, Ms. Barnhart seconded, to approve the July 27th, 2026Borough Council Meeting Minutes as presented.
Motion Unanimously Carried
7. Award of Bids:
a) None
8. General Public Comments:
a) Jim Clark –
Mr. Jim Clark, Fire Chief of the Somerset Regional VFD, stated that the recent “25/250” Western PA Fireman’s Convention concluded with their annual meeting at the Public Safety Building. A Resolution was drawn up after their final meeting. Mr. Clark read this Resolution to Borough Council.
Following the reading of the Resolution, Mr. Clark expressed his sincere gratitude to Somerset Borough, Borough Council and the Borough Management staff for all they had done to make this Convention a huge success.
Mr. Henry Cook, President of the Somerset Regional VFD, stated that what the Borough, Chief Appel and his force did in terms of support for everything was fantastic. He expressed that his great hope was that this event would be a “come-together” event for the Community, and he believes they were quite successful at that.
Mr. Bailey added that it was also a group effort of Travis and the Public Works Department, along with the Management team that went over and above to make it successful.
Mr. Cook expressed his sincere appreciation to all Borough employees involved, and added, that it wouldn’t have happened without Borough employees pitching in to help.
Mr. Chris Biancotti, Mr. Clark’s assistant, disclosed the Fire Department’s run totals for the year with Borough Council. He said that, to date, there have been 571 total calls. 170 were in Somerset Borough, 339 in Somerset Township, 21 in Quemahoning Township, 13 in Stonycreek Township, 8 in the Turnpike District and 20 mutual aid assists to other Fire Departments.
Mr. Biancotti also thanked everyone, and added that the Fire Department could not do all they do without the Borough’s support.
b) Melanie Heiple -
Mrs. Heiple thanked Borough Council for all they had done for the Union Street Playground during the “25/250” Western Fire Convention event. She mentioned that the playground was filled with children who had a great time there.
Mrs. Heiple then recounted all the fun activities that have occurred at the playground this summer.
Mrs. Heiple also asked if Borough Council would consider forming a Park & Recreation Committee to keep the playground going for years to come using its own resources.
Mrs. Lynch then reviewed all the renovation projects that the Playground Committee have completed at the Union Street Playground, to date, and would still like to accomplish there in the future.
Mrs. Lynch also thanked Borough Council for all their support in helping the Union Street Playground Committee accomplish all they had set out to do at the playground thus far.
9. Administrative Business:
a) Communications – (none)
b) Payment of Bills – Month of August 2026.
Motion:
Ms. Barnhart moved, Mrs. Opp seconded, to approve the payment of bills for the month of July 2026 numbered 45231 – 45351 totaling $1,703,872.30.
Motion Unanimously Carried
c) Department Reports – Consider approving the Departmental Reports for the month of July 2026.
Motion
Mrs. Opp moved, Mr. Mandichak seconded, to approve the Departmental Reports for the month of July 2026.
Motion Unanimously Carried
10. Policy Agenda:
Old Business:
a) None
New Business:
a) Ordinance – Consider authorizing adoption of an Ordinance authorizing the incurrence of lease/rental debt for lease/purchase of a Street Sweeper through the Commonwealth’s Co-Stars Program. Total amount is $396,607.13.
Mr. Bailey stated that this was discussed with Council at the last meeting. A few changes were made to the Ordinance, and it will now need adopted by Council.
Motion
Mrs. Opp moved, Ms. Barnhart seconded, to approve the adoption of an Ordinance authorizing the incurrence of lease/rental debt for lease/purchase of a Street Sweeper through the Commonwealth’s Co-Stars Program in the total amount of $396,607.13.
Motion Unanimously Carried
ORDINANCE NO. 1393
AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOROUGH OF SOMERSET, SOMERSET COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA, AUTHORIZING THE INCURRENCE OF NONELECTORAL DEBT PURSUANT TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT DEBT ACT; SPECIFYING THE PURPOSE, PRINCIPAL AMOUNT, AND TERMS OF SUCH DEBT; AND AUTHORIZING RELATED ACTIONS.
WHEREAS, the Council of the Borough of Somerset has determined that it is necessary to finance the acquisition of a 2026 Elgin Whirlwind Sweeper; and
WHEREAS, the Local Government Unit is authorized under the Pennsylvania Local Government Unit Debt Act, 53 Pa.C.S. §8001 et seq., to incur nonelectoral debt for lawful purposes;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED AND ENACTED by the Council of the Borough of Somerset:
Section 1. Authorization of Debt.
The Local Government Unit hereby authorizes the incurrence of nonelectoral debt in the principal amount of $396,607.13 for the purpose of financing the Project described above.
Section 2. Evidence of Debt.
The debt shall (Five) Annual Payments of $87,607.59 at the rate of 5.23% interest as evidenced by a lease agreement by and between the Borough and FNB Commercial Leasing, a copy of which is attached hereto and made a part hereof as Exhibit A. In addition, the Borough shall file a Debt Statement and Borrowing Base Certificate with the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) and DCED has approved the borrowing in accordance with the Local Government Unit Debt Act.
Section 3. Covenant to Pay.
The Council of the Borough of Somerset covenants to include the amount of the debt service in its budget for each fiscal year and to levy taxes sufficient to pay the same. The Borough shall appropriate such amounts to the payment of such debt service; and shall duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the principal due under the Lease Agreement and the interest thereon at the dates and places and in the manner stated in the Borough is hereby irrevocably pledged.
Section 4. Filing with DCED.
The proper officers of the Borough of Somerset are authorized and directed to prepare and file the required proceedings, including the Debt Statement, Borrowing Base Certificate, and transcripts, with DCED for approval.
Section 5. Qualified Tax Exempt.
The Borough hereby designates said lease as "qualified tax-exempt obligation" for purposes of and within the meaning of Section 265(b)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which deals with the interest on debt purchased or carried by financial institutions. The Borough reasonably anticipates that it, together with any subordinate entities will not issue more than $10,000,000 of tax-exempt obligations during the calendar year of 2026.
Section 6. Further Actions.
The officials of the Borough of Somerset are authorized to take all other actions necessary to carry out the intent of this Ordinance.
Section 7. Effective Date.
This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon enactment.
ORDAINED AND ENACTED into law by the Council of the Borough of Somerset in lawful session assembled this 24th day of August, 2026.
b) Somerset Regional Volunteer Fire Department – Donation request of $100.00 for their golf outing fundraiser.
Mr. Shaulis stated that the Fire Department is requesting the Borough to be a tee-sponsor for their upcoming golf outing fundraiser.
Motion
Mrs. Opp moved, Mr. Dirienzo seconded, to approve the donation request of $100.00 for the Fire Department’s golf outing fundraiser.
Motion Unanimously Carried
c) Request from Pamela Noble – Requesting to rezone a parcel of property along the 600 block of East Garrett Street. Consider referring this request to the Planning Commission for review and recommendation back to Borough Council.
Mr. Bailey noted that no written request was received for this request, so no action was needed. Also, Ms. Noble was not in attendance.
Committee Business/Reports:
d) Borough Manager’s Report – Given by Michele Enos.
Ms. Enos had nothing further to report.
e) Finance Report – Given by Matt Franciscus.
Mr. Franciscus provided Borough Council with the year-to-date Financial Report through July 2026. We are 7/12’s of the way through the year or 58.33%.
General Fund: Water Fund: Sewer Fund: Stormsewer Fund:
Revenues – 77.22% Revenues – 71.39% Revenues – 64.87% Revenues – 60.42%
Expenses – 57.41% Expenses – 56.90% Expenses – 64.79% Expenses – 10.88%
f) Municipal Authority Manager’s Report – Given by Jess Sizemore.
Mrs. Sizemore had nothing further to report.
g) President’s Report – Given by Pam Ream.
Mrs. Ream was not in attendance so no report was given.
h) Somerset Inc. Report – Given by Lee Hoffman.
Mr. Hoffman thanked all who were involved in support of the “Chalk the Block” event and the “25/250” celebrations.
i) PSAB Report – Given by Fred Rosemeyer.
Mayor Rosemeyer mentioned that he recently attended the PSAB Fall Board Meeting at the Poconos Ski Resort.
He also said that the PSAB Winter Conference is from October 9th – 13th at the Convention Center in Erie, PA.
The Somerset County Boroughs Association will be meeting September 15th at Rizzo’s in Windber, PA at 6:00 p.m. Mayor Rosemeyer added that two Legislative Affairs Officers will be attending this meeting.
j) Somerset Volunteer Fire Dept. Report – Given by Steve Shaulis.
Mr. Shaulis mentioned that the “Golf Outing” fundraiser will take place in September 2026.
Also, the “Glow Bingo” fundraiser will be held on October 30th.
k) Engineer’s Report – Given by Jake Bolby.
Mr. Bolby presented the Updates to the Engineer’s Report.
SEWER:
1) Assessment, Repair, and Abatement Plan (Hydraulic Overload):
Mr. Bolby noted that any concerns raised by the public, while the Sewer Project is continuing on, should be relayed back to the Borough Office so they can be put on the schedule to be taken care of.
Mr. Bolby also mentioned that with this August being the wettest August on record, he noted that the contractors are asking for patience in recognition of the weather patterns as they go through town.
l) Mayor’s Report – Given by Fred Rosemeyer.
Mayor Rosemeyer said that the final officer will be sworn-in at the next Council Meeting.
He thanked Mr. Bailey, Kristen, Jody, and all Borough employees who were involved in supporting the recent “Night Out” event.
11. Executive Session: To discuss personnel matters.
Motion
Mr. Dirienzo moved, seconded by Mr. Hoffman, to go into Executive Session to discuss personnel matters.
Motion Unanimously Carried
5:42 p.m.
Back in Session
6:18 p.m.
12. ADJOURNMENT
Motion
Mr. Mandichak moved to adjourn; motion seconded by Mr. Dirienzo.
Motion Unanimously Carried
6:19 p.m.
_____________________________________________
Michele A. Enos, Borough Manager/ Secretary