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JERSEY SHORE -- The Jersey Shore Borough council unanimously appointed Abbey Welker to fill the mayor vacancy, “regretfully” accepted borough Manager Joe Hamm’s resignation and appointed Cody Hoover to fill his shoes.
Welker’s position is effective immediately with the term ending in December 2021, when the position is again up for election.
Hamm won the race for the 84th state House seat in the Nov. 3 election, resulting in the need for him to resign from his borough position.
Before leaving for Harrisburg, Hamm had the opportunity to give out meritorious service award plaques to the fire fighters, police officers and first responders who saved a man from a burning building in February.
In other business, council unanimously approved holiday parade and lighting needs from the Jersey Shore Town Meeting organization including:
• The Santa Parade, Saturday, Dec. 5 at 2 p.m. with an alternate route from Locust Street to South Broad Street to Smith Street
• Use of the gazebo lot for holiday celebrations, Saturday, Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Christmas light installation throughout the borough and at the gazebo
In another matter, council agreed to apply for a state Department of Transportation Multimodal Transportation Grant, which could give the borough $500,000 for its active transportation needs.
Council also agreed to buy a new pick-up Ford 450 truck for a total of $84,394 including the bed, equipment and plow, and to sell its old truck on Municibid.
A multitude of resolutions were also approved, including appointing newly-hired Hoover to be a borough representative for the Central Keystone Council of Governments, to be a designated signatory and to be an environmental review certifying officer for urban development projects.
In other news, police regionalization seems to be moving forward, though the police commission is still “in talks” of whether regionalization will be of benefit financially and coverage wise, according to Sean Simcox, council member.
Council announced there will be a public budget work session at 6 p.m. on Nov. 17 and an executive session for the board only on Nov. 23 to discuss contract agreements.
Members present: Simcox, Barb E. Schmoulder, Scott Bierly, Paul Garrett, Kenneth Scheesley, Janet Barnhart, Dennis Thompson and Mike Zellers.
The next council meeting will be at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14.