Veterans Park Memorial, Police Vehicle Concerns Highlight Final Council Meeting of Year in New Bethlehem

Blane Gold

Blane Gold

Published December 19, 2018 6:45 am
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NEW BETHLEHEM, Pa. (EYT) – The final meeting of 2018 for the New Bethlehem Borough Council only consisted of four council numbers.

Four, however, was all that was needed to meet the council’s quorum requirement in order to proceed with the last meeting before the calendar turns to 2019.

At the beginning of the meeting, Borough Council recognized and listened to a short presentation by local resident and Air-Force veteran, Ray Ishman. Ishman presented a three-dimensional model to the Council that depicted his rendering of the new Veterans Park Memorial that is set to break ground in the spring of 2019.

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After taking a series of questions about the park, council member Gordon Barrows thanked Ishman for not only his service to the country but also for honoring all of those from the Redbank Valley area who served.

Secretary Rich McGarrity also praised Ishman for his efforts in placing the veterans’ banners along Broad Street noting how he receives numerous calls praising the recognition of the local veterans.

Reporting on the discussions from an emergency council meeting held on December 4th that took place to discuss the immediate need to purchase a new police vehicle, Sandra Mateer relayed to council her research and ultimately presented a vehicle for purchase.

“The vehicle that we currently have could die tomorrow,” explained Mateer. “I don’t want to wait until that happens to make a purchase.”

Mateer outlined the details of a Dodge Durango available for purchase at a cost of $28,760.00. Mateer also explained that she obtained a quote from a local bank that would allow the borough to secure a loan at 3.25% to be paid over 60 months.

Stewart Bain questioned Mateer on whether that was the most cost effective vehicle to purchase.

“I did not know that we were looking for a Durango.” said Bain. “I was looking at other models that we discussed, but I could have a quote for this particular vehicle by tomorrow.”

In the end, council passed the motion made by Mateer to purchase the Durango recommended by Mateer with a contingency that if Bain could secure another Durango at a better price to the council that did not exceed $40,000.00, that vehicle would be purchased.

Council would also eventually go on the pass the 2019 budget by a 3-1 vote with Stewart Bain casting the lone dissenting vote.

“I’m having a hard time with this budget,” claimed Bain. “I was having a hard time with it before we voted to approve a new police vehicle. That’s in addition to the new vehicle we bought last year that already has 25,000 miles on it. That’s a lot to take on.”

Mateer agreed with Bain that the budget was not perfect but was confident through having a more efficient “budget analysis” the Council would be able to be in a better position to create future budgets. She also pointed out that the efforts put forth by the Council to create reserve funds will help with large purchases needed like vehicles.

“I have been stressing for years the importance of reserves. We’re not in the best shape we can be, but we’re better off than we were in the past because of the reserves.”

Other Items:

-By unanimous votes, Council voted to reappoint Andrew Menchyk Jr. as solicitor and Gannett Flemming Engineering as the Borough’s engineering firm. Council also hired Maher Duessel of Butler and Pittsburgh to serve as auditor.

-Mateer presented to the council a redesign of the police department logo that outlined the areas the police department serves on a map. Stewart Bain asked Mateer to feature New Bethlehem Borough as opposed to outlining all areas of the service.

“Let’s just called it the New Bethlehem Police because at the end of the day, that’s what we are.”

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