HARRISVILLE — Borough supervisors appointed Doug Dick, CEO of Superior Ambulance, as the borough’s emergency management coordinator at their Monday, March 6, meeting.

Emergency management coordinators are tasked with the organization of personnel, resource and facilities in times of natural disaster or crisis. Disaster preparation and response plans are developed in accordance with state and federal regulations.

Mayor Gary Hughes said the borough needed a coordinator, citing a 2022 electrical malfunction at Autumn Grove, the borough’s largest employer, which could have resulted in the displacement of 93 elderly residents.

An emergency management coordinator also is required to obtain disaster funding and preparedness grants from Federal Emergency Management Agency and the state.

Hughes said that Dick was “well qualified for the position,” and he will serve as a volunteer.

Supervisors also approved a request by Kozy Rest Campground to increase its sewage discharge into the Harrisville system.

Council member Dave Evans said the discharge will increase from 30,000 gallons to 70,000 gallons.

Harrisville has significant excess capacity. Evans said the borough is allotted 432,000 gallons per month by Grove City, where the sewage is processed and treated. Currently, the borough uses about 102,000 gallons per month.

The campground will increase its contribution to the cost of maintenance to reflect the increased discharge.

An audit of the borough’s 2020 and 2021 budget is underway, and progress on the 2023 budget continues.

The borough has $88,000 in unrestricted COVID-19 relief funds, but as the 2023 budget has not been finalized, no expenditures have been authorized. Council member Mary Ann Hughes emphasized the need to proceed prudently until the budget is finalized.

The need to replace the maintenance truck was discussed, and council agreed to shop for a used pickup truck.

A $1,500 bid by Brian Shaw to clean borough streets was accepted.

Supervisors additionally heard about the police department’s plans for new law enforcement software, which is expected to significantly expedite police work regarding traffic stops. The cost for the new software is approximately $3,500.

Harrisville American Legion Post 852 donated $2,000 toward the cost of the software. Kozy Rest Campground donated $500 to the police department, which will also be applied to the cost of the software.

The need to acquire a new police vehicle was addressed. The borough has two police vehicles. One of them, a Ford Crown Victoria is no longer reliable due to age and continual repairs. The council voted to proceed with a final determination on cost and terms of a replacement vehicle.

Darrell Shay, president of the Harrisville Baseball League, told council that due to insufficient sign-ups, interested youth will play in the Slippery Rock league this season and the borough’s baseball field will get maintenance and safety upgrades during the summer.

Dates regarding township events and parades were finalized: The bathroom at the community park will open March 31, the Easter egg hunt will be April 1, a VFD crafts bazaar will be April 15, trash pick-up days will be held May 15 and Sept. 18, a Memorial Day parade will be May 29, Fourth of July festivities are set for July 4, the borough yard sale is July 22, trick-or-treating will be Oct. 28, and the Christmas parade will be Dec. 16.