Brookville Borough Moves to Fill Vacant Council Seat

BROOKVILLE, Pa. (EYT) — Brookville’s vacant council seat didn’t stay empty for very long.

Council approved Ken King as the replacement for the seat that was vacated when Steve Hoak announced his resignation at the November 15 meeting.

King is the part-owner of Galbraith Furniture in Brookville and is a branch manager of Davis Insurance.

President Pro-Tem Bill Kutz nominated King for the seat, and he was approved by a 5-1 vote. King’s term will expire at the end of 2019.

Council member Clarinda Darr suggested David Taylor, a local historian and businessman. She believed he would be a significant benefit in helping the Borough find grant money with his experience in that area. Taylor previously served council as a Secretary/Treasurer. He has also been active in Historic Brookville.

In other business, Darr said there will be a public meeting at 7:00 p.m.,on Wednesday, January 25, at the borough building in council chambers about Walter Dick Park.

The Borough will be adding a new employee after council approved advertising for a code enforcement position.

Personnel Committee Chairman Phil Hynes said that Emerson Turnbull, the current Code Enforcement Officer, does a good job, but he also serves as the Zoning and Health Officer.

“He’s pretty busy with all three of those, and we think it’s a good idea to have another person in place to deal with code enforcement. There’s quite a bit of work there,” Hynes said.

Hours and an hourly rate for the position have yet to be determined.

Borough Public Works employees have a new contract after Council approved it Tuesday.

Hynes said a tentative agreement had been reached recently with the department’s union, AFSCME.

Employees will receive a $.30 per hour raise over the next four years. Employees will also pay 20 percent of their health insurance costs.

Council member Dave Ferringer opposed the motion, but it was approved 5-1.