Council members upset over lack of vote
Although the premium's expense was described as significant --
Insurance was being excluded because construction had not yet begun during 2017, to replace the worn culverts which had caused the flood levee to fail state inspection. Council received the failed levee inspection report in 2016, and consequently made the levee repair their top funding priority. Council secured grants to do the work and bring the flood protection system into compliance. A contract was approved in
The policy that was dropped protected the borough from damages should there be a breach, or a claim be filed from anyone getting hurt on the trail or
The new policy provides the borough with
Background
Council normally meets on the second Wednesday of the month but met early this month. Faubel said at the meeting their general insurance carrier, which had included the levee in the premium package, realized in
Councilwoman
Monaghan later explained that the matter had been discussed prior to the December meeting, but Council wasn't aware at the time there would be any difficulty finding a other provider at a reasonable price. The urgency of the issue became apparent in December.
Speaking at the
Gretchen, a representative from
Offended at procedure
Councilman
Council President
Monaghan later explained that Rojas had been corresponding with all council members via email; all council members were aware of the situation and that there were really no viable options available.
"It was my presumption that all avenues had been explored and that this was the final option available to us with regard to the insurance," Monaghan said. She affirmed that no other council members had been notified, although she said all were aware of the situation as it developed. "I do believe that the best interests of the borough as a whole should be the primary concern when making decisions that impact the residents," she told The News Eagle. "Not having insurance even for a few hours much less several days could have had potential consequences that were far more costly."
Rojas wanted to know if there had been a vote, stating she had tried to keep everyone notified. "I'm quite surprised I'm hearing it now," she said. "...Why weren't we allowed to vote?" Rojas stressed that this was a large amount of money, and as a courtesy the whole Council should have been contacted. She stressed that a decision had been made that affects the budget and could potentially impact taxes. She said they are all under the "public scope".
Faubel stated that he only learned of the quote from AMSkier on Friday.
"You left the quorum out," Dougherty said. "That can't happen going forward." He asserted that the council president was "out of line" in regards to how it was done. Murray stated that it was in the best interest of Council to call one another and put matters to a vote.
Asked about the legality of the manner in which the decision had been reached, Alternate Borough Solicitor
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