Donora appoints acting police chief
Donora appointed a borough police officer as acting police chief.
At Thursday’s meeting, council unanimously named Patrolman Mark Shemansky to the position for a 90-day trial. If he is deemed a good fit, council will vote to make it a permanent position, according to Michael Thornton, borough administrator.
Former police Chief Neal Rands retired in December after 35 years with the Donora Police Department. Rands is now a member of council.
Council also unanimously approved the reopened 2026 budget.
The budget was reopened as a council with four new members wanted a chance to review and consider making changes to the spending plan, including creating a street commissioner position, which did not pan out.
Thornton said the budget numbers will not change. Council approved a 2026 spending plan that held millage at 9 mills, which includes a general tax rate of 8.625 mills, fire tax of 0.125 mills, recreation tax of 0.219 mills and a library tax of 0.031 mills.
Another motion passed by council reduced the penalty rate for 2024 delinquent sanitation bills from $300 to $280 to reflect the original ordinance.
Council also voted to table a motion to borrow an amount not to exceed $1 million to complete the new public works project due to a shortfall in Local Shared Account Grant funds awarded by the state and county. The borough has been looking to build a larger public works garage. The current building at Donora Industrial Park does not have enough space to hold some of the borough’s equipment. A new facility would be built on a lot off of Scott Street.
Also, the borough is looking for interested candidates to serve on the following boards: civil service commission (one resident), zoning board of appeals (one resident), and planning commission (two residents).
The borough also is seeking applicants for its turnkey position to monitor prisoners in a holding cell while police answer calls or are on patrol. Applicants must be able to pass a background check and have required clearances.
Council also approved hiring Patrick Schmidt Jr., Thomas McCarthy and James Fleckenstein Jr. as part-time police officers at a rate of $30.26 per hour and accepted the resignation of Patrolman Howard Rider.