All Council Members in Attendance for the meetings
Minutes from the last meeting, reports from officers, and bills and transfers were all accepted and approved.
Under business, a letter was received from Schuylkill County VISION to request the use of an Ashland park to hold a "Yoga in the Park". The request was motioned and approved.
A resignation was accept from one of the borough's part time front desk clerk. The request was motioned and approved.
A motion was requested and approved to advertise the job opening for part-time police officers, full-time public works laborer and a part-time front desk clerk.
A motion was accepted and approved for a consulting proposal form the Gulotta Group for Grant Writing Services.
The Borough wants to preserve existing housing stock by offering non-amortizing
forgiveness loans to income-eligible homeowners for the rehabilitation of the properties with the
objectives of bringing these properties in to conformance with codes, upgrading major systems
such as electrical, plumbing, and heating systems, addressing energy efficiency by installing new
windows, doors and upgrading insulation, and addressing any structural issues that may
eventually impair the health and safety of the property. To this end, it is seeking professional
grant writing services of the Gulotta Group to prepare and file application PA DCED HOME or
PHFA PHARE funds.
The borough adopted a resolution to authorize the application to Schuylkill County for the demolition of 1507 Walnut Street as well as a second resolution for the demotion of 1728 through 1730 Walnut Street.
Under other business, Mayor Walacavage requested an executive session at the end of the regular meeting regarding police business.
A motion was made by Councilman Bernodin and seconded by Councilman Spieles, and approved to authorize the VFW to hold their annual Memorial Day Parade and allow police, fire and fire police participation
Council President Groody reported that the borough would be holding the summer lunch program starting on June 11, 2018 from 11:30-12:30pm at Eureka Park.
Police Chief Mark O'Hearn announced with the starting of the street sweeper for the summer, parking warnings would be issued for May.
Councilwoman Wesner thanked the "Jones Foundation" Jack Jones, Ray and Gail Jones for their effects in purchasing and planting flowers in the downtown planters.
The Council then went into an executive session for police business.
During this meeting, a motion was made and approved by Councilman Spieles to provide weekend shift differential to part-time police officers
Police officers who work the shifts of Friday, 3:00pm to 7:00am, and Saturday 3:00pm to 7:00am will increase from $17.00/hour to $20.00/hour. Councilwoman Wesner seconded, Council President asked for a roll call vote with President Groody, Vice President Spieles, Councilman Cooney, Councilwoman McIntyre, Councilman Menne, Councilwoman Wesner all voting yes. Councilman Bernodin abstained from the vote.
Ashland Police officer Phillip Schlegal publicly thanked Will Snyder for assisting him with the apprehension of a suspect who fled on foot from an incident that occurred at Rite Aid.