Pledge of Allegiance led by Maryann Weinstein, President

Public Comment

Any person from the public may speak for a 3-minute period. Total time allotted for public comment is 15 minutes. Please state your name, address and subject. Please choose a representative to speak if you have the same concern.

• Sandy and Ray Dunlevy 500 E. Beau St. – Mr. Dunlevy wanted to know about the gas company project in the borough and if they would fix any damages to the roads as done in the past and if there was a date when it will be completed. Aaron Lucero said the project is much smaller and is at East Wheeling and he did not have an end date yet.

• Mumbi Mundia-Howe 375 North Wade. –  Asked Council members what the protocol is for residents to ask questions or comments. Can a resident comment on what is being voted on? Solicitor Makel said public comment is at the beginning of the meeting. There can be public comment if an item is not on the agenda, and council chooses to address it at that meeting. The president of Council will ask for any comments prior to a vote.

• Dawn Petrosky – Ms. Petrosky wanted to know if the council was aware of President Bidens infrastructure plan. There are lead pipes in the borough and wanted to know if the public will be notified of any replacement and if the borough is going to take advantage of the funding. Council members should abstain if they have a conflict of interest, some type of benefit to themselves or their families based on the Ethics Act.

Motions

• Motion Joe Fulton, second Doug Corwin to approve Minutes May 3, 2021. – Motion passed

• Motion Kent James, second Kris LaGreca to approve the continuation meeting Minutes May 17, 2021. – Motion passed.

• Motion Doug Corwin, second Joe Fulton to approve Bills GEN Acct $14,026.17 and the amount of $1,198.25 is to be paid out of Escrow- W&J to submit $3,000 placed into the Escrow Account (Checks 7137 to7170) and PLGIT $ 323.40 (Check 985) – Motion passed.

Official Action:

1. Abstaining – Solicitor Makel gave a brief explanation of abstaining from voting and effect on results. The decisions based on the votes that are cast. Abstention cannot negate the plurality. A person can abstain for any reason except you must abstain if there is a conflict of interest.

   A “plurality vote” means that the winning candidate only needs to get more votes than a competing candidate. If a person runs unopposed, he or she only needs one vote to be elected, so an “against” vote is meaningless.

   Plurality voting is distinguished from a majoritarian electoral system in which a winning candidate must receive an absolute majority of votes: more votes than all other candidates combined. Under plurality voting, the leading candidate, whether he or she has majority of votes, is elected. Wikipedia

2. W and J Agreement – A Motion was made by Doug Corwin, second Joe Fulton to accept the revised W and J agreement.

   1. Roll Call Vote:

      • Michael McCormick -Yes

      • Doug Corwin – Yes

      • Dan Bird – Yes

      • Maryann Weinstein – Yes

      • Kris LaGreca – Yes

      • Joe Fulton – Yes

      • Kent James – Yes

      • Motion Passed

3. Playground Grant – President Weinstein said the Playground grant was approved at the state level. Rob Phillips will go over the site plan with Sarah Boyce and then put it out for bid. Will share this plan with the new council members.

4. Park Sign Update – Joe Fulton said the new sign for the Thayer Park is shown and the language is from an Observer Reporter article. Would like council to consider setting up a Nicholas Cumer Park.com domain name. Estimated cost $11.00/year.

   • Kent James moved and seconded by Michael McCormick to affirm the current rules on the park sign eliminating No throwing stones. – Motion passed.

   • A motion was made by Doug Corwin, seconded by Kris LaGreca to authorize Joe Fulton to obtain a GoDaddy account domain name Nicholas Cumer Park.com at $11.00/year – Motion passed.

   • Kent James made a motion seconded by Joe Fulton to change the park hours to 9:00 am – 9:00 pm. – Motion passed.

   • Dan Bird moved seconded by Doug Corwin to authorize Reca Panian, Park & Shade Chair an amount not to exceed $1,500 to be used for the Annual East Washington Borough picnic. – Motion passed.

5. Picnic – Reca Panian met with her committee. Date of picnic: August 15, 202, Time: 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm, Dedication: 4:00 pm, Meal: 4:30 to 5:30 pm. Asking for covered dishes, donations. Matt Boice will provide folding chairs. There will be a dunk tank, Kona Ice, games, and activities for children.

6. PENNdot Arle Light – The final inspection with PENNdot for the ARLE light will be on June 8, 2021, at 11:00 pm. The cross walk is not an approved use for the remaining ARLE funds.

   1. Joe Fulton made a motion seconded by Michael McCormick to resubmit ARLE grant for a new stop light that has up to date LED lighting, and up to date equipment which will be more efficient. – Motion passed.

7. Shaw tree request – Council discussion. After council discussed the request, Mayor Nixon, and Council Member Michael McCormick will meet with Jim Shaw and report back at the next meeting if possible.

8. Neighborhood Improvement Committee – Neighborhood Improvement Committee met and discussed properties that need attention. President Weinstein asked Aaron to put together a pricing list of fees for cutting grass, equipment used, and his labor etc. Provide the list to Council and approve fees at the next meeting.

9. Police Cars – Vice President Kent James said both police cars were sold for a total of $3,989.00. Vice President Kent James said he would provide council with a cost comparison for a Tesla and Ford SUV so Council can decide which vehicle to purchase for the police department.

10. Trash Contract – Joe Fulton, Kent James, and Aaron Lucero will meet to discuss a trash contract for EWB. The current contract ends December 31, 2021.

11. Fire Department Contract – Michael McCormick and Doug Corwin will meet to discuss the fire department contract. The contract ends December 31, 2021.

12. Tax collector – Solicitor Makel recommended the tax collector position be addressed in the fall after the November election when a candidate may be elected. Note: A deputy tax collector should be named and used in the event the elected tax collector is incapacitated.

Reports

• Mayor –Demond Nixon – No Report
• Solicitor – Dennis Makel– No Report
• Council Members – Reports / Discussion
  • Maryann Weinstein, President – No Report
  • Daniel Bird – No Report
  • Douglas Corwin – No Report
  • Joe Fulton – No Report
  • Kent James, Vice President – No Report
  • Kris LaGreca – No Report
  • Michael McCormick – No Report

Motion

• Motion Joe Fulton, second Doug Corwin to continue the meeting on June 21, 2021, at 7:00 pm. – Motion passed.