Parryville Council reorganizes, Grant back as president
Gail Maholick/TIMES NEWS Parryville Council reorganized Monday by renaming Michael Grant as president. From left are front row, Sharon Keiser, vice president; Jennifery Emrey; and back row, Jeffrey Kocher, Dean Emrey, mayor; and Michael Grant, council president.
Despite Michael Grant's name missing from the ballot box in November, he is back again and was named council president on Monday when he accepted the seat vacated by Phyllis Smith, who resigned last month.
Seated for the first time on council was Jennifer Emrey, wife of Mayor Dean Emrey. Sharon Keiser was named vice president. A new council member, Jennifer Borger was absent. The fifth council member is Jeff Kocher.
Council named Att. Michael Greek as borough solicitor and Barry Isett and Associates as borough engineer.
Dana Brubaker was retained as secretary-treasurer and Kirk Summa and Co. was named independent auditors.
The positions of UCC Code Enforcement officer, representative on the Tax Consolidation Committee and Vacancy Board chairman were not filled.
Council took some time to discuss snow plowing, road cindering and salting issues and voted to tentatively hire an on call borough worker to assist if needed.
Council president Grant said he already talked to Larry Gombert and watched him operate equipment before submitting his name for hire. Council also discussed purchasing cinders and salt through PennDOT for roadways and plans to purchase a small salt spreader for the borough tractor. Gombert will assist when borough worker Harold Jacoby or Grant cannot cinder or plow.
Council also voted to adopt wages and salary of borough workers with no pay increase.
Council also adopted a resolution setting garbage rates at $180 a year and a 10 percent penalty if not paid by April 30. Another 10 percent penality will be added if not paid by July 31.
Grant also appointed committee chairs for 2010: Roads, Grant; Recreation, Jennifer Emrey and Keiser; Budget, Grant; Fire and Safety, Grant; Health and Sanitation, Kocher; Canal Commission representative, Dean Emery; Building and Lights, Keiser and Kocher.
Council also discussed replacing a drain pipe that has collapsed or blocked. Grant said that replacing the pipe and resurfacing the parking lot at the playground and basketball court are his main goals for 2010.
Brubaker has noted that the borough is still looking at $14,212.38 in uncollected real estate taxes, $805 in uncollected occupational taxes; $615 in uncollected per capita taxes and $4,819.53 in uncollected garbage fees.
Brubaker said that liens will be filed for unpaid garbage fees by the borough solicitor.
Council will meet at 7 p.m., the fourth Tuesday of each month.
