ASHLAND - Ashland Borough Council accepted the letter of retirement from police Chief Adam J. Bernodin Jr. during Wednesday's meeting that will lead to the first change in the lead law enforcement position in more than two decades.
Bernodin, 59, who has been police chief for 22 years, will end his 39-year career as an Ashland police officer Dec. 27. His retirement is required since he won a seat on borough council in the general election on Nov. 5.
"On Oct. 12, 1974, I came to Ashland as a part-time officer hired under Chief Art Flanagan," said Bernodin at the police station Thursday. "On Jan. 8, 1975, I became a full-time officer. I became chief in September 1991 and I've held it since."
After graduating from Mount Carmel Area High School, Bernodin attended Harrisburg Area Community College, where he earned a two-year degree in police administration/police science. He was hired as a part-time police officer at Hershey Estates and worked there until he was hired by Ashland.
"Hershey Estates has its own police to cover the park," said Bernodin. "And while I was here in Ashland, I ended up working in Butler Township and Centralia, and now Ringtown."
Bernodin plans to continue as a part-time patrolman in Ringtown, where he has served five years.
Borough council also accepted the retirement letter of meter officer Susan Jones, effective Nov. 30.
In other business
Borough council adopted an ordinance making the intersection of Walnut and 15th streets a four-way stop. A traffic study was conducted in the area and it was determined to add stop signs on Walnut Street at 15th Street for eastward and westward directions. Stop signs are currently on 15th Street for northbound and southbound traffic.
Borough Manager Raymond Jones Jr. said the stop signs will be placed in a week or so. Drivers are reminded to stay alert with the change.
Borough council acted on the following agenda items:
- Approved a tax anticipation loan of $100,000 from M&T Bank at an interest rate of 2.75 percent. Ashland and many other municipalities obtain such loans in order to have funds to pay salaries and other expenses in the first three months until tax revenue begins to come in.
- Approved a resolution to comply with the Professional Services Contract Provisions of Act 44 of 2009, which requires each municipal pension system to develop procedures related to contracts for the provision of professional services, including investment services, legal services, real estate services and other consulting services.
- Approved a resolution for municipal adoption of the Schuylkill County Hazard Mitigation Plan, which was recently updated. The plan, which had been last updated in 2007, included to better prepare for winter storms, floods, hurricanes and droughts. The updated plan now includes plans to deal with blight and nuclear power plant failure.
- Received a letter from Mi-Jo Pallet Company Inc., Ashland, requesting the borough to vacate (abandon) a dedicated paper street on the west side of the company's property. The paper street has never been opened. The request has been passed to borough solicitor James Diehl for review. Neighbors will be contacted if there are any objections.
- Gave permission to Jones to advertise the proposed Service Electric Cablevision franchise agreement. The renewed franchise agreement has a term of 10 years with a five percent franchise fee.
- Gave permission for a parade to honor the Ashland Black Diamond football teams at 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17.
Prior to the meeting, the council held a public hearing for funding to develop three homes at the vacant lot at 711, 715 and 719 Centre Street through Schuylkill Community Action.
"We held it as required to get public input," said Jones. "We're just getting this started. The budget is not even close to being complete. We're not sure yet if the three homes will be rental or sale."
There was no public comment during the hearing.
Jones said the 2014 operating budget will be tentatively adopted at a special meeting, though a date has not be set.