The meeting was opened by Borough Council President Groody and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Pushed to the beginning of the meeting was the agenda was a proclamation for the North Schuylkill High School Football Team Players, Coaches, and Staff.
Mayor Ray Walacavage read the proclamation "Whereas, it gives me great pleasure to speak on behalf on the Ashland Borough Council and the residents of Ashland to congratulate the 2018 North Schuylkill Spartan Football Team and Coaches and Staff for winning the District 11 Championship Title.
Now therefore, I, Ray Walacavage, Mayor of the Borough of Ashland due hereby proclaim Friday, December 21, 2018 as North Schuylkill Spartan Day in the borough of Ashland."
A brief recess of the meeting was held in order to take photos of council with the team captains and Coach Wally Hall who were in attendance.
The meeting returned to roll call with Councilman Cooney and Councilman Bernodin absent.
The floor was open to public comment with one resident asking about a Right to Know request he submitted in regards to council members in 2011. Council responded by telling the gentleman that he would receive the information he asked for.
The borough's Tax Collector, Warren Lane, spoke asking whether or not he could answer the question "Is my neighbor paying their taxes on time?" referring to a borough resident coming in and asking the question. Solicitor Securda responded and told Lane that she would get an answer for him on the question.
The minutes from previous meetings were approved.
Officer reports were accepted and approved along with Bills and Transfers.
Under business, a tentative 2019 Budget was adopted with a 4-1 vote by council. Councilman Menne was the lone "Nay" vote and explained referring to a 2 mil increase in the budget. The increase was recorded as to help pay for police benefits.
"I don't feel we should be taxing those that pay their taxes on time" referring to the delinquent taxes that are not being paid for by the borough's residents.
Next on the agenda, a vote was held to allow permission to advertise the 2019 Tax Ordinance. The vote passed with Menne abstaining from the vote.
A vote was held to hire Gerald Daley as the new Chief of Police of the borough with a salary of $55,000 and a start date of December 31st, 2018. The vote passed with a result of (3-1), Menne voted "Nay" and McIntyre abstained.
Menne explained his "Nay" vote by saying, "I have no issues with the candidate but we just don't have the money". Councilman Spieles responded with "It is very important that we have a chief of police. Without that we might as well abolish the whole police force all together."
A repository property sale was motioned and approved.
A motion was made and approved to advertise the 2019 Meeting Schedule.
A special council meeting was also announce for December 29, 2018.
Under other business, the council members and Mayor all thanked the Ashland Rotary and Ashalnd Chamber of Commerce for the Christmas tree and Christmas decorations.
Mayor Walacavage also thanked the former Chief of Police, Mark O'Hearn, for his 26 years of service to the borough.
Borough Fire Chief Phillip Groody spoke in regards to the hiring of the new Chief of Police. "It is an assurance to know we have police coverage in the borough. We had a serious crash a few weeks back on Hoffman Boulevard and we had no police at the scene. Moving forward, I think we chose a good candidate", said Groody.
Groody also touched base on fire safety during the winter months. "I stress borough residents to properly use auxiliary heat. These forms of heat are only good if they are used properly. (Referring to space heats, propane, etc.). He also reminded residents that if they use fossil fuels for heat to have a CO2 detector in their home.
Under the final public comment, one borough resident asked if the borough would be able to sell some of the vehicles that are not being used and parking the borough office lot. Borough manager Ray Jones responded that one of the vehicles in the lot was a forfeiture and the other was an old police cruiser that they want as a spare transmission.
The meeting was adjourned.