Borough auditor returns, council clarifies situation
SHENANDOAH – After last month’s shouting match over the status of the borough’s finances and the need for an auditor, Shenandoah’s usual auditor is back on the job.
Council President Joe Boris said at Monday’s meeting that Sam Deegan was at borough hall working on the audit. Borough Manager Mike Cadau mentioned the same.
Councilman Michael Whitecavage asked for clarification.
“At the last meeting, you stated Mr. Deegan resigned his position,” Whitecavage asked.
“He did,” Cadau said.
“Did it miss a meeting when we voted to bring him back,” Whitecavage asked. “I mean, how did that happen. I have nothing against Mr. Deegan. You hired an auditor without council’s permission, because he did resign, am I not correct?”
Boris said that Deegan did not provide a formal, written resignation and verbally told Boris that he did not want to work with the borough anymore.
“You told me adamantly that we had no auditor [at the last meeting], so now we had an auditor and I’m just wondering how he was brought back without the whole council being notified,” Whitecavage said.
Solicitor Shane Hobbs also clarified that Deegan hadn’t formally resigned.
Cadau also addressed his “animation” at the prior meeting.
“Being behind on everything and not making sure that our payroll, as well as our pension, as well as stuff that was required to be done was not being done correctly,” Cadau said. “That’s why I was animated.”
The borough is still seeking a forensic auditor. Deegan conducts the annual audit mandated by the state.
In other business, Cadau provided an update on ongoing issues with the borough. He brought up medical benefits for borough employees and the cost thereof.
He also outlined budget inconsistencies between 2019-2025 and provided an update on payroll.
Cadau said that efforts to figure out how commercial sewer bills are calculated are still ongoing.
Cadau said the borough is working on patching streets beginning with West Washington Street, dubbing the effort “Operation Pothole.”
“We feel as though we could get anywhere between 12-18 months to two years out of it,” Cadau said of the patching process.
In other business, council voted 5-1 to appoint Donna Gawrylik, wife of councilman Joe Gawrylik, to the Shenandoah Municipal Sewer Authority board.
Gawrylik previously served on the Municipal Authority of the Borough of Shenandoah (MABS) board.
Joe Gawrylik abstained and Katie Catizone voted no.
In other business, council approved:
- the purchase of a roller for the street department;
- a can collection for SV Girls’ Softball April 5 and 6 from 10am to 2pm;
- a three day education program at borough hall in June;
- the community easter egg hunt on April 19 at 1pm at Bicentennial Park;
- an event at the Schuylkill Historical Fire Society on June 7 that will close Jardin Street;
- the use of Bicentennial Park by the Shenandoah Jr. Blue Devil Football and Cheer program;
- two handicapped parking requests;
- a can collection by Shenandoah Little League;
- a can collection by the Shenandoah Valley Quarterback Club on June 7;
- the implementation of IC, UCC, NEC, NFPA, ANZI and IMPC codes.
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