Borough Nabs Webb for Vacancy

At the August meeting, Williamsburg Borough Council member Brandon Chamberlain had to resign citing a conflict of interest with his position at PennDOT. At the meeting on Tuesday, September 3, Chamberlain’s resignation was approved and Matthew Webb was appointed to fill Chamberlain’s vacancy. 

The borough received four letters of interest for the vacant position, but Webb was the only one present at the meeting. 

“I would be willing and honored to serve on the board,” Webb, a lifelong Williamsburg resident, said.

Council member Bruce Hamilton said that Webb had served his country and state, and now it is time for him to serve Williamsburg.

He made a motion to have Webb fill the vacancy, Paula Hamilton seconded, and the motion carried following a roll call vote in which all Council members present voted “yes” for Webb’s approval.

Mayor Ted Hyle then swore Webb in.

Jeff Frederick, on behalf of the Williamsburg Church of the Brethren, requested the closing of Black Street and Academy Alley for their Fall event on Saturday, October 19. 

The fall event will be from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. with apple cider, apple dumplings, live music and other activities. Biddle made a motion to close the street for the event with Bruce Hamilton seconding, and the motion passed.

Chief of Police Rowdy Kagarise thanked and praised those who helped with the Agricultural Parade during Farm Show week. 

“We got a lot of help from a lot of other departments, and we appreciated it,” he said.

Steven Reckart, a resident of the borough, talked about the alleys near the school and the speeding that goes on in those alleyways. He was concerned for the safety of both the speeders and those walking.

Reckhart said that speeding typically happens in the mornings or after school hours. 

He discussed turning some alleys into a one-way – or increasing police presence during the times he mentioned. 

“We’ve talked about the speed limit of alleys forever,” Hyle said. “People are always traveling way too fast.” 

The current speed limit on the alleys is 25 mph. 

Biddle asked for the next meeting to have a list of possible alternatives for the speeding issue on the alleys in town. 

Tom Peck talked with council members about helping to pay for a new sidewalk/curb by his home; he wanted to redo the current sidewalk and make it handicapped accessible and asked if the council wanted to help pay to make it handicapped accessible. 

Several council members, including Dakota Biddle, said that it would benefit several residents in the area.

“There is a safety issue there,” Kagarise said.

Council wanted to make it clear that their contribution was only for making the sidewalk and curb handicapped accessible, and not the other maintenance. 

Biddle made a motion to pay $4,217.50 towards sidewalk maintenance with Paula Hamilton seconding, motion passed.

Stiffler McGraw had given the council information on the new LSA Grant that is available, and the council brainstormed ideas for grant money, including new speed signs, which are estimated to be roughly $3,000 per sign. 

Council wanted Biddle to do more research on the grant and to present findings at the October meeting.

At the August meeting, former resident Jesse Weaver presented a proposal of solar panels and generators for the borough building to help lower electrical costs drastically. 

Biddle made a motion to have Solicitor Nathan Karn compose a bid advertisement for the solar panels and generators similar to the one presented in the proposal from Weaver to collect any other bids before going with Weaver. Hamilton seconded the motion, and the motion carried.