by justin strawser
SHAMOKIN - The director positions of public safety and parks/recreation for the city of Shamokin were the only two changes during the reorganization meeting Wednesday night.
The former public safety director William Milbrand and the former parks/recreation director R. Craig Rhoades switched positions by a unanimous vote of 5-0.
"It's time for a change," Mayor George Rozinskie said following the meeting.
Neither Milbrand nor Rhoades - who were both sworn in again as councilmen at the beginning of the meeting - offered any comment concerning the decision.
Otherwise, Councilman William Strausser was reappointed the director of accounts and finances, and Councilman Michael Snyder was reappointed the director of public works.
During the workshop meeting, Solicitor H. Robert Mattis Jr. informed the board that any decision regarding the Shamokin-Coal Township Joint Sewer Authority would have to wait until the February meeting.
The authority is looking to city council and the Coal Township Board of Commissioners to guarantee a $17.6 million, low-interest USDA loan that would help with funding the sewer plant expansion and upgrade project.
If there is no guarantee, the loan offer will be rescinded, forcing the authority to fund the project by bond issued at a higher interest rate. With the USDA loan, a rate hike likely wouldn't be needed; without it, rates could rise $4 to $6 a month, which would come on top of a $19.50 monthly rate hike that took effect in October.
Mattis said the authority will not have the necessary information available by their regular meeting Monday, so the first reading of any potential resolution supporting the authority's request will have to wait until the second Monday of February.
In other business, Council:
- Renewed their union contract with the street department. Additionally, they hired Samuel Madara to the department full-time at a starting rate of $9.50, and benefits once the 90-day probation period is completed.
- Will be seeking Requests For Proposals (RFPs) from Brinkash and Associates, Ashland, Catino Michael PE, Shamokin, and any other interested companies to be the city's engineer. They had been hiring Larson Design, Harrisburg, as needed, but want a full-time engineer.
- Will also be advertising for new members of the planning commission.