Council entered executive session from 7:01 p.m. to 7:18 p.m. to discuss personnel matters. Upon returning to open session, council noted that no decisions were made during the executive session.
Council also approved a correction to the December 22, 2025 meeting minutes to formally document a motion related to a previous executive session.
Officials reported the borough continues to operate on a $3 million annual budget without raising taxes. Despite paying approximately $4 million in bills over the past year, Shenandoah finished the year with roughly $1.2 million in the bank.
The borough has taken a more aggressive approach to collecting delinquent utility bills. To date, $23,724 has been collected in overdue sewer payments. Borough Manager Mike Cadau said water shut-off notices were issued to residents who failed to respond.
“It’s not fair to the people that are always paying the bills,” Cadau said.
Delinquent trash accounts have also been targeted. Through Portnoff Law Associates, the borough collected $15,114.81 in unpaid trash fees. Moving forward, the borough will place liens on properties with unpaid trash bills rather than discontinuing service.
Council approved the promotion of Christian Vazquez from part-time to full-time police officer in an effort to establish 24-hour, seven-day-a-week police coverage by mid-February or March.
Brian Oliver was hired as a non-union Public Works Supervisor at a rate of $28 per hour. The position is intended to provide leadership, oversight, and improved safety within the department. One council member voted against the hire, citing concerns about the background check.
“I believe it’s an incomplete background check,” the council member stated. “I can’t conscious a full background check.”
Council also accepted Brian Urban of Urban and Urban as zoning solicitor at a rate of $250 per hour.
Due to multiple plow breakdowns and an approaching winter storm, council approved the emergency purchase of a 2011 truck with approximately 11,000 miles for $42,000. Cadau said relying on borough-owned equipment is more cost-effective than outsourcing snow removal services, which can cost about $250 per hour.
“It’s a cost savings by having our own guys do it,” he said.
Council announced the borough was awarded an $83,608 Local Share Account (LSA) grant toward the purchase of a Public Works truck. A resolution was also approved to apply for a $3 million PennDOT Multimodal Transportation Program (MTP) grant for drainage and culvert improvements near the Boyer’s area.
Discussion also continued regarding improvements at the borough pumping station, commonly referred to as “The Pumpy.” The project includes plans for pavilions and a well funded by a $77,000 LSA grant. Cadau said initial bids reached as high as $131,832, prompting the borough to consider using in-house resources for grant management to reduce costs.
Council approved a request to combine two parcels owned by Doc Ed Kolonsky at 108 North Catherine Street and 0 North Catherine Street.
A resolution was also approved allowing Wes Kass to purchase a burned property on Zero Rock Street, with the goal of returning the property to the tax rolls.
Council approved the transfer of a liquor license to Bitter and Twisted LLC at 316–318 South Main Street, formerly Mulligan’s. During discussion, concerns were raised about noise. The owner emphasized the establishment’s focus on dining rather than nightlife.
“The goal for us is to be a restaurant,” the owner said. “It’s not a bar.”
Several ordinances were approved or amended during the meeting. Council voted to reintroduce a “meter maid” enforcement officer to address nuisance parking in alleyways, which has interfered with fire trucks and garbage collection.
Council also amended the skill games ordinance, increasing the annual fee from $250 to $500 per machine, with proceeds directed to the borough’s recreation fund.
Additionally, council established a $50 annual business license fee. Businesses owing any municipal bills will be denied a license until those balances are paid.