Council says bye to long running borough manager

When the Borough of Edinboro Council convened on Monday, Nov. 14, there was a noticeable absence. Borough Manager Taras Jemetz retired from the council after serving on it for 11 years. Jemetz’s final day as manager was Nov. 11.

At the beginning of the meeting, Mayor Mary Ann Horne made a few statements on Jemetz and his performance and accomplishments over the years.

“TJ has had an impeccable performance and behavior record for the past 11 years,” Horne said.

Though no longer on the council, Jemetz will continue to serve the borough as a volunteer appointed to the Edinboro Municipal & Water Authorities and as the local Emergency Management Coordinator.

To fill the vacancy left by Jemetz’s retirement, the council appointed Jason Spangenberg as Interim Borough Manager until a permanent replacement for the position is found. Also on the agenda was the second reading of the proposed Chicken Ordinance 603, which will be up for consideration during the December meeting. The ordinance would place certain restrictions on the ownership of chickens within the borough.

The taxes for 2017 were also approved, and the rates will remain the same as they have since 2008.

One council member, James Kiley, stated that this is “quite a feather in the Borough’s cap.”

The 2017 Budget was approved ahead of when it was needed in December. There were two alternates appointed to the Planning & Zoning Commission: Alyssa Dobson and Lindsay Bauman.

One alternate position remains vacant for that commission.

The final action taken was to approve the council’s meeting dates and times for 2017.

Meetings will take place the second Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. in the Edinboro Municipal Building.

The only exception will be the January meeting, which will be held on Jan. 2.

Council meetings are open to the public, both to residents of the borough and Edinboro University students. 

Nathan Hirth is a staff writer for The Spectator.