GORDON - Gordon Borough Council President Michael Rader raised the subject of the use of the municipal building's hall and the Citizens Fire Company No. 1 and corresponding expenses at Tuesday's council meeting.
Rader said council members and fire company representatives recently met to discuss the situation.
"This is something that we discussed in executive session and it's been an ongoing thing that we want to address that has to do with the hall, the kitchen and the bathrooms," Rader said. "We had a chance to sit down with the fire company to work out something for the benefit of both parties."
According to Rader, the borough annually pays $1,000 for electricity, with the fire company paying $3,600 annual for electricity in the hall, kitchen, social room and truck garage. The fire company picks up the water and sewer expenses for the entire building ($680 annually), while the borough pays for all heating oil at $9,000 per year.
"We (council and Mayor Nick Troutman) had a meeting with representatives of the fire company to attempt to bring resolution to continuous issues present with the share of liabilities, use of building assets and mutual support by, between and for both parties," Rader said. "Annual building related costs were discussed, as well as the use, management and so-called 'control' of portions of the municipal building."
Rader said in his summary of the situation that it is important to improve cooperation between the borough and fire company.
"It is my opinion that the argued control of the hall, restrooms and kitchen are arbitrary considering the collective possible benefits of those assets," Rader said.
Rader said it is not in the best interest for the borough and fire company to argue over the situation, but to work together to deal with recurring expenses. He added that potential improvements in the hall in the short and long term will improve its ability to bring in income.
Rader said the condition of the facility needs to be improved, such as bathrooms that are outdated and "barely operational and dirty." He said the kitchen can potentially offer a caterer on-site food preparation and the tables and chairs in the hall are in poor condition.
"Bathroom and kitchen upgrades are certainly not feasible today, but possibly in the future if we can make a modest investment in tables and chairs to enhance the appeal of the hall for event rental," Rader said.
Rader explained that the goal is to reach a management agreement to define the building's use and responsibilities of both sides.
"The concept is that Gordon, as a whole, owns the building. It's the people of Gordon's building," Rader said.
Rader asked for a motion to authorize the purchase of new tables and chairs with a limit of $4,000, but included a condition that an executed management agreement between the borough and fire company be in place before any purchase would be made.
Councilwoman Valerie Stitzer made the motion, seconded by Councilwoman Polly Wolfgang to purchase the tables and chairs pending a management agreement. Rader, Stitzer and Wolfgang voted in favor, with Mary Ellen Mulligan and Kurt Lynch voting against. Absent were Jeffrey Hoffman and Barry Brecker.
"My vote is totally no because I think we need a written mutual agreement before we even approach, even touch a penny," said Lynch.
Lynch said improvements to the bathrooms will be a major expense since it would become necessary to bring them up to modern standards, particularly involving the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Gordon fire Chief George Dornsife remarked that the tables and chairs are in very poor condition.
"They have to be replaced. They've been here since 1973," Dornsife said.
Lynch said if a management agreement is worked out, and if chairs and tables are purchased, they must remain in the building and cannot be loaned to anyone.
Resident Barbara Lynch said that rules need to be set for hall rentals to eliminate favoritism as to rental costs.
"Some people could get the hall cheaper than others. That's not fair. That's just not fair," said Barbara Lynch.
"I agree with you," Rader said.
Rader said it's time to move forward at this point.
"There are things that everybody can do better. I think our chance to do something better is to get off our hands and to what we can do and start something," Rader said.
In other business, borough secretary/treasurer Paul Snyder reported on $75,000 loan approved in December to pay for a new roof on the municipal building. The roof has been leaking for years in different locations, but increased rain water entering the building in recent months prompted the roof replacement.
The loan is for 120 months at 5.125 percent, with monthly payments of $802.78. Over the lifetime of the loan, the borough will pay $96,333.07 over the 10 years. After legal fees, bank fees, and recording fees with the county recorder of deeds and treasurer, the net amount received by the borough was $69,847.16.
Snyder reported that in November and December, the borough has purchased 862 gallons of heating oil for the municipal building at a cost of $3,044.
The sewage delinquent account total as of Jan. 1 was $38,468.92, according to Snyder.