Newly-elected Gettysburg Borough Council president Jake Schindel chaired his first meeting and new-elected councilmember Matt Moon attended his first session.
The Gettysburg Borough Council listened and contributed to praise of the successful 2019 Christmas Festival at their January 13th meeting. Public comment focused on thanking the many volunteers that helped staff the festival and the positive community feeling the festival created. Main Street Gettysburg CEO Deb Adamik noted how well the borough and local businesses worked together.
Adamik said the festival was “a mile long” with 79 sponsors, 105 volunteers, and over 100 activities. “This is a very complex event. It’s amazing what this community did. The police were superheroes. It was a fun-packed holiday weekend that really worked,” said Adamik.
In other business the council:
- Appointed Martin Jolin to a seat on the Gettysburg Planning Commission.
- Appointed Charles Strauss to a 5-year term on the Gettysburg Storm Water Authority Board.
- Reappointed Max Felty to the Gettysbug Municipal Authority board.
- Appointed Mayor Streeter to chair a one-time celebration of the 75th anniversary of VE Day to be held on May 8, 2020. “We hope to honor the surviving veterans,” said Streeter. The event is expected to include a World War II encampment at the rec park.
- Announced the dates for the 2020 electronic recycling.
The borough indicated that although the construction on West Broadway St. is finished it is not yet open to the public because speed limit signs have not been installed.
Borough Engineer Chad Clabaugh said he expected the collapsed wall on Stevens Run near Kuhn’s Alley would be repaired within two months, hopefully by the end of February.
Speaking regarding the quick arrest of a suspect in the arson attack on the Adams County Courthouse on December 22, Gettysburg Police Chief Robert Glenny said “I’m incredibly proud of this police department and the job we did.” This was “good old-fashioned police work. Nothing was missed, even on the initial alarm,” said Glenny.
Borough Manager Charles Gable said the borough now officially owns the “brown house” at 340 Baltimore Street. “Our ultimate goal is to turn it into a community center,” said Gable.
Councilmember Wesley Heyser said he hoped the Memorial Day Parade Commission will continue to work with the borough as they consider appropriate fees and requirements for borough parades at their workshop to be held on January 27.
Schindel suggested that the council would be “willing to compromise” on fees for parades.
Charles (Chuck) Stangor is Gettysburg Connection's Owner, Publisher, and Editor in Chief. I would like to hear from you. Please contact me at cstangor@gettysburgconnection.org.