Brookville Council Fills Vacant Seat

BROOKVILLE, Pa. (EYT) — The vacant seat on Brookville Borough Council didn’t last long.

Long-time Brookville resident and editor of the Jeffersonian Democrat newspaper Randy Bartley was named to the seat on a unanimous vote during Tuesday night’s meeting.

Bartley has been a fixture of Brookville for many decades, reporting on the news of the borough for the newspaper. He is an avid historian, and there is precious little that he doesn’t know about Brookville. Bartley is retiring from the newspaper on January 31.

He will be sworn in before the next meeting on February 6.

Bartley and David Copella submitted resumes and letters of interest to the council to fill the vacancy.

Council member Dave Ferringer nominated Bartley and Karen Allgeier seconded it. Council president Phil Hynes thanked Bartley for applying.

“You know the community, and I think you’ll be a valuable asset to council,” Hynes said. “Know you can see what it’s like on this side of the table.”

The rest of council also had words of congratulations for its newest member.

Council also announced which members will be serving on committees in 2018.

– Public Safety – Chair: Ken King; Bill Kutz, Rick Baughman.
– Public Works – Chair: Bill Kutz; Rick Baughman, Phil Hynes.
– Personnel – Chair: Karen Allgeier; Bill Kutz, Dave Ferringer.
– Finance – Chair: Karen Allgeier; Ken King, Phil Hynes.
– Community Resources – Chair: New appointee; Dave Ferringer, Ken King.
– Property – Chair: Dave Ferringer; Bill Kutz, new appointee.
– Stormwater – Chair: Dave Ferringer; Karen Allgeier, new appointee.

Council held a brief executive session and voted 6-1 to hire the new police chief from within the current ranks of the department. Allegeier voted against the motion. Borough manager Dana Schreckengost said the first step to hiring a new chief would be advertising the position internally.

Chief Jason Brown announced his resignation from the position at the January 2 meeting. His last day will be February 16.

In other business regarding the police department, Brown said he visited Hickory Grove Elementary School recently and talked to students about careers in law enforcement.

Council also voted to approve the union contract with the police department.

Council members lauded Public Works Director Dave Vallosio and his crew for keeping the borough streets cleared of snow.

In other business:

– Hynes said he was on the Depot Street Rails to Trails and saw about 20 people out cross-country skiing;

– Junior council member Dalynn Park reported three band members qualified for the regional band competition at last weekend’s district competition. They included Adrian Kessler – oboe; Marcy Schindler – clarinet; Brian Burkett – trumpet.