McMaster selected to Brownsville post
BROWNSVILLE – Six applications were received for the vacancy on Brownsville Borough Council created when Councilman Walt Costello moved out of town. Many of the applicants are former council candidates. Two of the six applicants received nominations: Tony Dicenzo and Charles “Russ” McMaster. The other candidates were Nena Kaminsky, who was recommended by the Fayette County Republican Party, George Gechoff, Chris Cook and Robert Pritts. Only councilmen John Hosler and Tom Bush voted in favor of Dicenzo’s appointment. They were also the only dissenting votes for McMaster. McMaster will begin serving on council once he signs a loyalty oath and financial disclosure statement and is sworn in by Mayor Norma Ryan.
“He’s shown interest by attending meetings for the past two years,” said Jack Lawver, council president. “I feel that all the candidates that put their names in were qualified, but that’s what influenced my decision. He’s basically up to speed on everything we’ve been doing.”
Of the six applicants, only McMaster and Gechoff have not previously run for a council seat, though McMaster has expressed an interest in running in the spring primary election, Lawver said.
Council Monday also adopted the 2003 budget with no increase in taxes, though there is a new millage rate due to the changes in the assessment process in Fayette County. The $667,997.61 budget will be supported by a property tax of 4.125 mills. The budget includes $5,000 for the Brownsville Free Public Library and $5,000 for recreation. The $106,448 budget for roads includes $64,835.61 in the state Highway Aid funds.
Lawver said the regular December meeting was continued to allow an extra week for the budget adoption because the borough had been waiting on insurance figures.
“We were pretty close (in the tentative budget), so there are no changes there,” Lawver said.
Lawver said there were some adjustments made in the final figures for personnel due to some resignations and new hires, but nothing that affected the overall budget.
Council also accepted with regrets the resignation of borough secretary Sharon Givens. Givens has served the borough during the past year, assisting long-time borough secretary Elizabeth Lawver, who had requested part-time status last year.
Council also voted to reappoint Henry Vulcan to the Brownsville Municipal Authority.
Vulcan will serve an additional five-year term.