Carmichaels appoints councilman
CARMICHAELS – Carmichaels Borough Council voted Wednesday to appoint Christopher Watson to fill the unexpired term of Annette Thomas, who resigned last month.
The appointment was made contingent on an affirmation of the 2-1 vote by the borough solicitor or the state boroughs association.
Two residents submitted letters of interest to be appointed to Thomas’ seat, Watson and Elizabeth Walker, the wife of council President Charles Walker.
In his letter, Watson stated his interest in the appointment, mentioning his previous service on council.
Elizabeth Walker also spoke of her interest in the post and noted she is a director with the Carmichaels Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Nemacolin Volunteer Fire Company and finance officer of the Carmichaels American Legion. Walker is an internal auditor for the Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory.
Councilman Ralph McWilliams first made a motion to appoint Watson, and the motion was seconded by Josephine Gresko. The two then voted for his appointment, while councilman John Paletta voted against it.
Charles Walker refrained from voting, saying as president he could only vote to break a tie.
Paletta questioned whether three votes would be needed to approve the appointment. After some discussion and a break while borough secretary Brandi Streit attempted to research the matter, it was decided the appointment would stand after Streit confirmed the vote today.
Streit said later that she would check with the Pennsylvania Association of Boroughs.
Charles Walker said if the vote was not correct, council would hold a special meeting to resolve the matter. Watson will serve until the end of the year.
In other business, council discussed purchasing a surveillance camera system for the borough building and surrounding area. In November, the borough police car and another vehicle had tires punctured.
Walker reported a DVR system with four cameras would cost about $550. Council agreed to table the matter until it received a quote for installing the equipment.
Council was asked by Terri Donaldson whether council would consider contributing any of the borough’s Act 13 impact fee revenue to the Carmichaels Municipal Authority to improve the authority’s water system. The authority has asked Cumberland Township for $500,000 of the township’s impact fee revenue.
Charles Walker noted the borough received only about $16,000 in impact fee revenue so far, while the township received more than $1 million. Because its use must be reported to the state by a specific date, council will have to meet soon to decide how to use the money, he said.
Arlene Mulholland, who lives on West South Street, told council she was concerned about plans by the Methodist Church to expand its parking lot on Route 88, because of the potential for water runoff to flood her property.
She said an engineer for K-2 Engineers had told her that since the expansion did not exceed 1 acre, it may not have to be reviewed by the county planning commission. Mulholland also said water from the lot could impact Cherry Alley.
Charles Walker said the borough will investigate the matter.
Council approved the purchase of QuickBooks, computer software for borough bookkeeping.
Bryan Bird introduced himself as the borough’s new constable. Bird had been appointed by the court to serve in the position.