Documents Mar 30, 2026

Minutes

Ebensburg Borough Council Meeting Minutes

Date: March 30, 2026 Location: Ebensburg Municipal Building

The regular monthly meeting was called to order at 6:30 p. m. by Council President Doug Tusing.

Present: Council members Doug Tusing, Theresa Jacoby, Jeff Ball, Cecilia Houser, Susan Kuhar, Mike Murphy, Sue Stevens, Max Cafazza, and Roy Lian.
Absent: Mayor Randy Datsko and Borough Manager Kelly Cook.
Others in Attendance: Incoming Borough Manager Terry Carcella, Police Chief Joe Loughran, Assistant Chief Chris Bopp, and various department directors.

The council unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included:

Reports from Inframark regarding wastewater, water treatment, and collections/distribution operations.
Approval of the February 23, 2026 meeting minutes.
Approval of financial statements for February and payment of bills for March.

Water/Wastewater Committee

Written reports from Inframark on wastewater, water treatment, and distribution operations were submitted for review.

Street Committee

Parking Enforcement: Staff will continue to evaluate options and provide future recommendations.
LED Streetlight Conversion: The council unanimously approved an agreement with FirstEnergy to upgrade company-owned streetlights to energy-efficient LED fixtures.

Administration Committee

Borough Manager Vacancy: The council unanimously approved the employment contract for Mr. Terry Carcella as the new Borough Manager.
- Start Date: April 1, 2026.
- Salary: $100,000 annually with standard benefits.

Human Relations & Diversity Committee

Hometown Here Banners: The Community Development Director and Borough Solicitor met with the VFW to finalize program details.

General Business

Local Shares Grant: The council approved the bid from Elite Outdoor Services for $41,999. 87 to work on Memorial Fields. The bid from Becker Lawn Care was rejected for being incomplete. Councilman Murphy abstained due to a potential conflict of interest.
Ballfield Leases: The council unanimously approved leases for the First Energy Field and McDonald’s Field at $750 per year each.
Public Works Equipment: The council unanimously approved the purchase of a 2026 JCB Tracked Skid Steer ($88,216. 00) and a 2024 Stewart Amos Star Street Sweeper ($212,460. 00) from Stephenson Equipment, Inc. , for a grand total of $300,676. 00.

Assistant Chief of Police: The council unanimously appointed Christopher Bopp to the position at a rate of $33. 15 per hour.
Resignation: The council accepted the resignation of Council Member Cecilia Houser, effective March 31, 2026. A motion was made to advertise for letters of interest to fill the seat through December 2027.

AML/AMD Grant: The borough was awarded a $4,093,234. 20 grant through the Abandoned Mine Land and Acid Drainage Grant Program. The council unanimously authorized the advertising and formal bidding process for the dredging of Lake Rowena, which is the largest component of this grant.

Police: Chief Loughran provided an update on department activities and a regionalization study.
Public Works: Director Jerry Poruban thanked the council for approving the new equipment and provided updates on water leak repairs.
Community Development: Director Danea Koss reported on upcoming events, including the Art in Bloom Spring Art Show and the Brighten the Burg clean-up day.
Recreation: Director Rebecca Williamson reported on ballfield lease finalizations, events at the Tennis Center, and hiring for the swimming pool.
Zoning Hearing Board: A hearing was held on March 25, 2026, regarding a variance for a garage at 167 Lovell Avenue.
Codes Enforcement: One violation was issued for a leaking heating oil tank.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:08 p. m.

Minutes Recorded by: Danea Koss, Community Development Director