BY HELEN B. FOSTER

Susquehanna police officers Xaysongkham Phonechanh and Robert Sweet attended the December 21, meeting of borough council to accept their promotions, complete with new badges noting their new rank and a certificate from Mayor Michael Matis.

Officer Phonechanh was promoted to Sergent and Sweet to Chief of Police.  As the officers received their new badges, family members were on hand to do the honor of pinning on the new badges as council members congratulated the officers.

Mary Weaver was hired as the new  Property Maintenance Officer (Codes) to fill a vacancy and was also sworn in by Matis.

Ann Stewart, who recently resigned as treasurer for the borough, was honored at this meeting. Council President David Scales read a letter from council thanking Stewart for remaining with the borough following her resignatiion as Secretary/ Treasurer. The letter also praised Stewart for her faithful service in her position as treasurer. Stewart was available to assist the new secretary and remained as treasurer until the council hired Gail Hanrahan to fill this position.

Council approved transfering the treasurer’s bond and to update all borough bank accounts to reflect the new treasurer.

Council accepted a $526 bid from John Sholtiss for the S10 truck the borough had advertised. It was one of two bids submitted. A State bid price of $1,049.00 for a snowblower was approved.

The Fire Protection Contract with the Susquehanna Fire Department for the coming year was approved as was Attorney Myron DeWitt’s proposal for remaining as the borough’s solicitor. A one eighth page advertisement to be placed in local papers asking for volunteers to serve on Parks and Recreation Committee as well as applications new police officers was approved.

Council accepted Hinds Oil’s bid for a new gas heating system for the borough garage with all council members voting for the bid with the exception of Councilman Bill Perry.

President Scales’ request to carry over a $13,500 surplus to the 2011 budget was approved with six “yea” votes, Perry voted “no.”

A resident of West Main Street attended the meeting to inquire how the Food Bank could operate in a residential area without a zoning change. This matter will be under discussion at the next committee meeting.

A social hour was held following the meeting to allow council and those attending the meeting to congraulate the police officers on their promotions and to thank Ann Stewart for her service to the borough.