Newcomers sworn in at Shenandoah council; Boris elected council president
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - Shenandoah's new councilmen, are sworn in on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. From L-R: Joe Gawrlyik, Mike "Zeckie" Uholik and Joe Boris.
SHENANDOAH – Shenandoah’s newest elected borough councilmen were sworn in Tuesday night and one of them was named council president.
Joseph Boris, Mike “Zeckie” Uholik, and Joe Gawrylik were sworn in by Mayor Andrew Szczyglak.
Boris was previously appointed to council in 2022 to fill the remainder of the late Eileen Burke’s term and ran for re-election in November with Gawrylik and Uholik.
Szczyglak presided over the meeting until council elected a president.
Diane Korenda nominated Boris for the post, with Michael Whitecavage seconding.
All councilmembers present voted to elected Boris.
Korenda and Gawrylik nominated Uholik as Vice President.
Council also voted to appoint Shane Hobbs, Pottsville, as solicitor.
“He’s willing to help us out,” Boris said. “He’ll introduce himself at our regular meeting on the 15th.”
They retained Tony Sajone as borough secretary/treasurer as well.
Council split on the appointment of a member to a five year term on the Shenandoah Municipal Sewer Authority.
Three letters were received, one from the authority requesting Rosanne Mychak be reappointed, one from Mychak herself, and one from Robert Shumski.
Katie Catizone nominated Mychak, with Whitecavage seconding, while Gawrylik nominated Shumski with Uholik seconding. Council split 4-3.
Voting for Shumski were Gawrylik, Uholik, Boris, and Korenda. Voting for Mychak were Catizone, Whitecavage, and James Burke.
Council also reappointed John Szczyglak to the Municipal Authority of the Borough of Shenandoah board for a five year term, though the authority is expected to be dissolved before then.
Prior to the meeting’s adjournment, Boris outlined some of his priorities for council.
He said he wants borough hall to be open more than just 10am to 2pm.
He also said the borough police force should have body cameras and council should look into getting them.
Szczyglak told Boris that council will also need to look at the police force in the summertime as Chief George Carado will be retiring.
“This will be a crucial year,” Szczyglak said of the police force.
Regarding committees, Boris said council needs to be run “like a business,” citing his experience in management.
“We’re not here to win anything, we’re not here for the pay, we’re here for public service and that’s what we should always remember,” Boris said.
Regarding his outlook on the new term, Gawrylik said the borough needs to make sure the homes that are being renovated and repaired in town are up to code and safe.
“We have to make sure that these properties are safe for the renters,” Gawrylik said.
He also said the streets need to be repaired, and there needs to be accountability in the borough.
Catizone said she wishes the new members best of luck.
“It is my sincerest wish that council can achieve all that both they and the residents of the borough of Shenandoah deserve,” Catizone said.
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