Four students – Lancaster Catholic High School juniors who live in Columbia – attended last night’s monthly borough Council meeting. As part of Mr. Bentz’s high school government class (great job, Mr. Bentz), Katie Ness, Ben Reisinger, Erin Ness and Anne Maurer were in the audience when the Council president, Michael Beury tapped the gavel to open the meeting at 7:02 pm.

Agenda – Page one

All six councilors, the mayor, Borough solicitor, Borough manager, Borough financial officer and a recorder and only two citizens were present for the meeting.

Topics addressed and discussed as the councilors wended their way through the agenda topics included:

• A clarification of the position to be hired by the Sewer/Waste water department. The new position (the Borough manager said this is not a new position; rather it is a replacement of two previously un-filled vacancies) will be an environmental compliance officer who may have the credentials to perform some of the duties of a Sewage Enforcement Officer. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements under the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (commonly referred to as MS4) place separate requirements on municipalities; many of these responsibilities will be in the job description of the environmental compliance officer.  Here is how one Pennsylvania municipality tells its citizens about MS4 impact. A compensation package of some $81 thousand dollars, which includes benefits, will be split two-thirds/one-third between the Municipal Authority and the Borough.

Agenda – Page two

• The council approved the budget which includes increased expenditures; the 2013 budget includes no tax increase.
• Council reinforced that the December “meeting-of-the-whole” will be held on Tuesday, December 18 at 6:00; this meeting date has been moved from the standing fourth Monday date because of the Christmas holiday.
• There was discussion about the open councilor position; to date, several applications have been received. Councilor Mary Barninger restated the councilor replacement process and restated that any interested citizens should submit their interest in the position. A citizen asked about the progress in the search for the borough manager position. Councilor Barninger said that about a dozen applicants have submitted interest in the position and that interviews will begin today (December 11). A citizen questioned how the Borough broadcasts information about Borough vacancies. The Borough used several media resources to advertise for the borough manager position; additionally the borough manager and the open councilor position are posted at the Borough’s Website under “Employment/Volunteer Opportunities.” Someone volunteered that the information was also listed on the back of sewer bills; the Borough Website recently added a “Monthly Sewer Bill Public Information” page to its Website, this is the reference on the December bill: “VOLUNTEERS NEEDED –If anyone is interested in being on any of the Borough committees for 2013 please contact the Borough for more information.  There are several upcoming vacancies including Borough Council, The Historical Architectural Review Board and The Columbia Borough Planning Commission.”
• The mayor and the safety committee chairperson applauded the police department for its work in apprehending a suspect in the recent rash of burglaries and in-home thefts. The councilor said the police chief enlisted the assistance of other county and federal law enforcement resources and that led to the timely arrest. Both stated that citizens must use prudent measures to insure that their property is secured. The mayor said that the incidents of burglaries is not unique to Columbia and that other areas of the county also are victims of these types of crimes.
• The mayor asked council to consider several options to replace the canine police vehicle that was “totaled” in a one-car crash.
• Christopher Gibbons of Concord Public Financial Advisors, Inc. made a presentation to the councilors which could repackage an existing Borough loan into one with a lower interest rate. The repackaged entity could be a re-financed loan or a bond. Council approved a motion to have Gibbons return with a proposal.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:06 pm.