City Council

Borough of Highspire Workshop Meeting of the Highspire Borough Council October 14, 2025 (Please Note: Workshop meetings may be used for official deliberations and decisions) “The truth is, one who seeks to achieve freedom by petitioning those in power to give it to him has already failed, regardless of the response. To beg for the blessing of “authority” is to accept that the choice is the master’s alone to make, which means that the person is already, by definition, a slave.” ― Larken Rose 1. Call to Order 2. Prayer/Pledge of Allegiance 3. Roll Call 4. Acceptance of Minutes – Regular Meeting held on September 16, 2025. 5. Financial Reports a. Treasurer’s Report for September, 2025 b. Monthly Financial Statements – September, 2025 1. General Fund 2. Sewer Administration Fund 3. Sewer O & M Fund 6. Mayor’s Report 7. Public Safety Director’s Report – September to October, 2025 8. Fire Department Reports a. Fire Chief Report – Monthly Report for September, 2025 b. Treasurer’s Report Page | 1 9. South Central Emergency Medical Services Report for August, 2025 10. Citizens’ Comments (limit 3 minutes) 11. Committee Reports a. Public Facilities Committee b. Sanitation Committee c. Highspire Happenings d. Finance/Administration Committee e. Personnel Committee f. Community Development Committee g. Public Safety Committee h. Maintenance & Repair Committee 12. Staff Activity Reports a. Borough Manager’s Report - Mark Stonbraker b. Code Enforcement Report - Deanna Proctor c. Public Works Department Report - Randy Kreider d. Highspire Authority – Deanna Proctor e. Grant Administrative Report & Fire Department Financial Report f. Sewer Billing Adjustments & Reconciliations for September, 2025 g. Safety Committee 13. Solicitor’s Report 14. Engineer’s Report 15. Old Business Page | 2  a. 16. New Business a. Motion to direct staff to release the October, 2025 contribution to the Citizens Fire Company #1 of Highspire as indicated in the 2025 General Fund Budget (Fire Protection – Contributions – Fire Company 411.500). Amount to be paid to the Company - $3,500.00. b. Motion to (approve/reject/table) the publication of the 2026 Budgets, comprised of the General Fund, Sewer Operations and Maintenance, Sewer Administration, Storm Sewer / MS4, Highway Aid, Citizens Fire Company and Capital Projects Budgets. c. Motion to (approve/reject/table) the publication of the 2026 Borough Meeting Dates Schedule. d. Motion to (approve/reject/table) Highspire Borough Council Resolution No. 19 of 2025 appointing Hamilton & Musser, Certified Public Accountants, as the Borough Auditor to audit the Borough’s books for the period January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025. e. Motion to (approve/reject/table) Highspire Borough Council Resolution No. 20 of 2025 fixing the General Tax Trate for the year 2026 at 19.0 mills. f. Motion to (approve/reject/table) Highspire Borough Council Resolution No. 21 of 2025 setting the trash rates for the fiscal year 2026 at $413.34 per collection unit. g. Motion to (approve/reject/table) the proposal from Associated Products Services, Inc. for providing portable toilets to Memorial, Ann Street and Reservoir Parks (2026 General Fund Budget – Culture & Recreation – General Expense 452.300). The proposal will save the Borough $20.00 per month and $240.00 per year compared to the current provider. h. Motion to (approve/reject/table) the issuance of a check from the Stormwater PLGIT account to the Sewer Admin Capital Reserve PLGIT in the amount of $10,000.00 as reimbursement for the Bobcat / Toolcat. i. Motion to (approve/reject/table) the amendment to the Civil Service Rules waiving the requirement for completion of a physical fitness test for lateral transfers. j. Motion to (accept/reject/table) the resignation of full-time employee Eric Boes from his position with the Highspire Borough Highway Department. Page | 3  k. Motion to (accept/reject/table) the resignation of full-time employee Cody Mclochlin from his position with the Highspire Wastewater Treatment Plant. 17. Approval of Payroll and Bills 18. Adjournment Page | 4  PUBLIC NOTICE BOROUGH OF HIGHSPIRE SUMMARY OF PROPOSED 2026 BUDGETS AND TAX RATES AS OF 10/21/2025 GENERAL FUND BUDGET: Beginning Balance: $ - Revenues: Real Estate Taxes $ 1,434,586 Local Enabling Taxes $ 491,275 Licenses & Permits $ 38,820 Fines & Forfeits $ 17,500 Interest, Rents & Royalties $ 7,500 State Shared Revenue $ 201,228 General Government $ 1,500 Public Safety $ 29,100 Sanitation $ 429,043 Other Revinues & Reimbursements $ 25,000 Transfers from Other Funds $ - Total 2026 Revenues: $ 2,675,552 Total Available for Apppropriation: $ 2,675,552 Expenditures: Administration $ 209,634 Tax Collection $ 22,720 Municipal Building $ 24,312 Police Protection $ 1,009,984 Emergency Services $ 135,108 Fire Protection $ 119,222 Ambulance $ 11,515 Emergency Management $ 3,771 Fire Police $ 500 Act 13 Fees $ 100 Planning & Zoning $ 74,889 Highways / Public Works $ 339,491 Health & Sanitation $ 432,531 Culture & Recreation $ 63,277 Municipal Insurance $ 64,923 Miscellaneous Expenditures $ 298,683 Debt Service $ 89,826 Capital Reserve $ 156,860  Capital Projects $ - Stormwater Management $ 500 Pension Distribution $ 51,498 Total 2026 Expenditures: $ 2,675,552 Balance as of December 31, 2026: $ - SEWER ADMINISTRATION BUDGET: Sewer Administration Fund Beginning Fund Balance: $ 200,000 Revenues: Sewer Rentals $ 1,361,413 OtherRevenues $ 30,000 Total 2026 Revenues: $ 1,591,413 Total Available for Appropriation: Expenditures: Administration $ 346,058 Authority Lease Payments $ 714,312 Other Expenditures: $ 531,042 Authority Admin. Expenses $ 20,000 Debt Service $ 455,169 Capital Reserve $ 20,373 Transfer to Stormwater / MS4 $ 35,500 Total 2026 Expenditures: $ 1,591,413 Balance as of December 31, 2026: $ - SEWER OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE BUDGET: Beginning Fund Balance: $ - Revenues: Highspire Sewer Rentals $ 714,312 Lower Swatara $ 1,269,888 Other Revenues $ - Total 2026 Revenues $ 1,984,200 Total Available for Appropriation: $ 1,984,200 Expenditures: Personnel & Benefits $ 888,231 Operations & Maintenance $ 1,095,970 Total 2026 Expenditures: $ 1,984,200 Balance as of December 31, 2026: $ - STORMWATER MANAGEMENT - MS4 BUDGET: Beginning Fund Balance: $ - Revenues: Interest $ 2,000 Storm Water Fees $ 177,676 Misc. Revenues $ 2,500 Transfer from Sewer Admin. Fund $ 35,500 Total 2026 Revenues: $ 217,676 Total Available for Appropriation: $ 217,676 Expenditures: Personnel & Benefits $ 175,340 Operations & Maintenance $ 22,336 Capital Reserve $ - Authority Payment $ 20,000 Total 2026 Expenditures: $ 217,676 Balance as of December 31, 2026: $ - HIGHWAY AID BUDGET: Beginning Fund Balance: $ - Revenues: Revenues $ 76,525 Interest $ 500 Total 2026 Revenues: $ 77,025 Total Available for Appropriation: $ 77,025 Expenditures: Expenditures $ 77,025 Total 2026 Expenditures: $ 77,025 Balance as of December 31, 2026 $ - TAX RATE: 2026 Real Extate Tax Rate (no increase from, 2025) 19.00 mills The Borough adopted Ordinance No. 622 of 2019 reflecting this rate. ASH & GARBAGE FEES: 2026 Ash and Garbage Fee will be $413.34 per annum per, dwelling unit. SEWER RENTALS: 2026 Sewer Rentals Residential - $75.00 per month, per unit. Non-Residential - $100.85 per month, per unit. Plus $5.89 per thousand gallons over one EDU. The Proposed Budgets are available for public inspection at the Highspire Borough Municipal Building, 640 Eshelman Street, Highspire, PA 17034 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The final budgets and tax rate resolutiono will be adopted at the regular meeting of the Highspire Borough Council on November 18, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. at the Highspire Municipal Building. All interested residents are encouraged to attend. Michael J. Anderson Mark L. Stonbraker Borough Council President Borough Manager / Secretary  HIGHSPIRE BOROUGH COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 19 – 2025 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOROUGH COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF HIGHSPIRE, DAUPHIN COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, APPOINTING HAMILTON & MUSSER, CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS, AS THE BOROUGH AUDITOR TO AUDIT THE BOROUGH’S BOOKS FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 1, 2025 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2025. WHEREAS, the Borough of Highspire has provided for the appointment of an independent auditor in accordance with Clause 7 of Section 1005 of Article 10 of the Borough Code; and WHEREAS, the Borough Code provides for the appointment of said auditor by resolution on an annual basis; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Borough Council of the Borough of Highspire that the firm of Hamilton & Musser, Certified Public Accountants, 176 Cumberland Parkway, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, is hereby reappointed to perform a complete audit of the books of the Borough of Highspire as required under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the year 2025 and to report their findings as required by law. RESOLVED this 21st day of October, 2025, by the Borough Council of the Borough of Highspire, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. BOROUGH COUNCIL BOROUGH OF HIGHSPIRE ATTEST: ________________________________ Michael J. Anderson, Council President _______________________________ Mark L. Stonbraker, Borough Secretary  HIGHSPIRE BOROUGH COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 20 – 2025 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOROUGH COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF HIGHSPIRE, DAUPHIN COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, FIXING THE GENERAL TAX RATE FOR THE YEAR 2026 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Borough Council of the Borough of Highspire, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania: THAT a tax be and the same is hereby levied on all real property within the Borough of Highspire subject to taxation for the fiscal year 2026 as follows: SECTION 1. Tax rate for general purposes, the sum of 19.0 mills on each dollar of assessed valuation, or the sum of $0.19 on each one hundred dollars of assessed valuation. SECTION 2. All other municipal tax rates are to remain unchanged. SECTION 3. That any resolution, or part of resolution, conflicting with this resolution be and the same is hereby repealed insofar as the same affects this resolution. DULY ADOPTED & RESOLVED this 21st day of October, 2025, by the Borough Council of the Borough of Highspire, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. BOROUGH COUNCIL BOROUGH OF HIGHSPIRE ATTEST: ________________________________ Michael J. Anderson, Council President _______________________________ Mark L. Stonbraker, Borough Secretary  HIGHSPIRE BOROUGH COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 21 – 2025 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOROUGH COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF HIGHSPIRE, DAUPHIN COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, SETTING THE TRASH RATES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2026. WHEREAS, pursuant to Chapter 20, §106 of the Codified Ordinances of the Borough of Highspire, fees for the collection and disposal of refuse shall be set as Borough Council shall, by resolution, from time to time, prescribe. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Borough Council of the Borough of Highspire, that the annual trash fee rate for the fiscal year 2026 shall be $413.34 per collection unit. RESOLVED this 21st day of October, 2025, by the Borough Council of the Borough of Highspire, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. BOROUGH COUNCIL BOROUGH OF HIGHSPIRE ATTEST: ________________________________ Michael J. Anderson, Council President _______________________________ Mark L. Stonbraker, Borough Secretary  RULES AND REGULATIONS for the HIGHSPIRE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION Revised – October 1, 2025 ARTICLE I. DEFINITION OF TERMS 101. Definitions. Unless otherwise expressly stated the following words and phrases, wherever used in these rules and regulations, shall be constructed to have the meaning indicated herein: a. Applicant - Any individual who applies in writing to the commission in response to a legally advertised notice of vacancy and/or examination for any position in the police department. b. Appointing authority - The Borough Council of the Borough of Highspire, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. c. Borough Council - The Borough Council of the Borough of Highspire, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. d. Borough Secretary - The Borough Secretary of the Borough of Highspire. e. Certification - The submission to the appointing authority of names taken from the eligible list developed by the Civil Service Commission. f. Chairperson - The Chairperson of the Civil Service Commission of Highspire, Pennsylvania. g. Commission - The Civil Service Commission of Highspire, Pennsylvania. h. Commissioner - An individual appointed by the Borough Council of Highspire Borough, Pennsylvania to serve as a member of the Civil Service Commission. i. Eligible - A person whose name is recorded on a current eligible list or furlough list. j. Eligible List - A list of names of persons who have passed all examination for a particular position in the Police Department. k. Examination - The series of tests given to candidates to determine their qualifications for a position in the Police Department. l. Furlough List - The list containing the names of persons temporarily laid off from positions in the police department because of a reduction in the number of officers. m. Lateral Transfer - Officer hired that has prior full-time law enforcement experience will not be require to take a physical agility test prior to employment. n. Police Department - The Police Department of the Borough of Highspire, its successors or assigns, as designated by Borough Council. o. Police/Patrol Officer - For purposes of these rules and regulations, an entry level sworn full-time position in the Police Department. p. Probationer - An officer in the Police Department who has been appointed from an eligible list, but who has not yet completed his work-test period. q. Reduction in Rank - A change to a different position or rank where the employee fulfilled all of the requirements of these Rules and Regulations for both the prior and current position or rank. However, a decrease in salary without a change to a different position or rank does not necessarily constitute a reduction in rank. r. Removal - The permanent separation of a police officer from the Police Department. s. Secretary - The Secretary of the Civil Service Commission of Highspire, 2  Pennsylvania. t. Suspension - The temporary separation of a member of the Police Department from his position. 102. Gender. The words “he”, “her”, ”his”, ”hers”, ”him”, “men” and “women” or similar words, when used in these Rules and Regulations represents both the masculine and feminine genders ARTICLE II. THE COMMISSION 201. Civil Service Commission. The Civil Service Commission of Highspire shall consist of three (3) commissioners who shall be Borough residents, and shall be appointed by the Borough Council. Initial appointments to the Commission shall be to serve for terms of two, four and six years, and as the terms thereafter expire Commissioners shall be appointed for terms of six years. Any vacancy occurring in the commission for any reason whatsoever shall be filled by the Borough Council within the period of thirty (30) days after such vacancy occurs. Each member of the commission, before entering upon the discharge of the duties of their office, shall take an oath or affirmation to support the Constitution of the United States and of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and to perform their official duties with fidelity. No civil service commissioner shall receive compensation. 202. Offices Incompatible with Civil Service Commissioner. No Commissioner shall at the same time hold an elective or appointed office under the United States Government, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or any political subdivision of the Commonwealth, except that one member of the Commission may be a member of the Council of the borough and one may be a member of the teaching profession. 203. Organization of Commission; Quorum. The Commission shall, on the first Monday in February of each even numbered year, elect one of the members as the Chairman, one as Vice Chairman, and one as Secretary. If the first Monday is a legal holiday, the meeting shall be held the first day following. Two members of the commission shall constitute a quorum and no action of the commission shall be valid unless it shall have the concurrence of at least two members. 204. Duties of the Chairperson. The Chairperson, or in his absence, the Vice Chairman, shall preside at all meetings and hearings of the Commission, decide all points of order or procedure and perform any duties required by law or these rules. 205. Duties of the Secretary. The Secretary shall carry on at the direction of the Commission all official correspondence of the Commission, send out all notices required by law and these rules of procedures, keep a record of each examination or other official action of the Commission, and perform all other duties required by law, by these rules and by the 3 Commission. 206. Meetings. Except for the biennial organization meeting, all meetings shall be held either at the call of the Chairman or at the call of two members of the Commission. At least twenty-four (24) hours written notice of each meeting shall be given each member, and the Borough Secretary. The Commission shall have the discretion to determine whether meetings shall be open to the public when not specifically regulated by law or these rules. 207. Order of Business. The order business of all meetings of the Commission shall be as follows: (a) Roll Call (b) Approval of minutes of previous meeting (c) Unfinished business (d) Hearing of cases (e) New business (f) Communication and reports 208. Clerks and Supplies. The governing body shall furnish the commission with such supplies and clerical assistance as may be necessary for the commission to fulfill its duties. In addition, the commission may retain counsel, and any other consultants or experts, including physicians and psychiatrists, as are necessary. The elected and appointed officials of the Borough shall assist the commission with all reasonable and appropriate efforts including compensation for any counsel or experts retained by the commission. The commission shall first seek the advise of the Borough Solicitor in all matters, with the exception of those occurrences where a conflict of interest arises or the appearance of a conflict of interest. The commission shall not retain the services of an attorney other than the municipality’s duly-appointed solicitor without first obtaining the approval of the Borough Council. 209. Amendment of Rules and Regulations. The commission may amend, revise, void or replace these Rules and Regulations for any reason by action of a majority of the commission at any properly convened meeting of the commission. Before any changes to these Rules and Regulations become effective, those changes must be approved by the Borough Council. These Rules and Regulations, and any amendments thereto shall be made available to the public for distribution or inspection. 210. Minutes and Records. The commission shall keep minutes of its proceedings and records of examinations and other official action. All records of the commission shall be preserved and disposed of according to the Retention and Disposition Schedule for Records of Pennsylvania Municipalities issued by the Local Government Records Committee under the authority of the Municipal Records Act, 53 Pa. C.S.A. § 1381 et seq. Any and all records related to any disciplinary action filed with the commission shall be open to public inspection subject to reasonable regulation. The secretary shall keep minutes of its proceedings showing the vote of each member upon each question. If the member is absent or 4 fails to vote, the secretary shall indicate that fact in the minutes. 211. Investigations. The Commission shall have power to make investigations concerning all matters relating to the administration and enforcement of these Rules and Regulations. The chairperson of the Commission is hereby authorized to administer oaths and affirmations in connection with such investigations. 212. Subpoenas. The commission shall have the power to issue subpoenas over the signature of the chairperson, or designee, to acquire the attendance of witnesses and the production of records and papers pertaining to any investigation or inquiry. The fees of such witnesses for attendance and travel shall be the same as for witnesses appearing in the courts and shall be aid from appropriations for the incidental expense of the commission. All officers in public service and employees of the Borough shall attend and testify when required to do so by the commission. If any person shall refuse or neglect to obey any subpoena issued by the commission, upon conviction of such refusal or neglect in a summary proceeding, that person shall be sentenced to pay a fine not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100.00), and in default of the payment of such find and costs shall be imprisoned not to exceed thirty (30) days. If any person shall refuse or neglect to obey any subpoena, the commission may apply by petition to the Court of Common Pleas of Dauphin County for its subpoena, requiring the attendance of such person before the commission or the court to testify and to produce any records and papers necessary, and in default thereof shall be held in contempt of court. 212. Annual Report. The Commission shall make an annual report to the Borough Council containing a brief summary of its work during the year and a full accounting for any expenditures of public monies. The annual report shall be available for public inspection. ARTICLE III. APPLICATIONS AND QUALIFICATIONS 301. Eligibility for Examination. No person shall be admitted to an examination for a position in the Police Department of Highspire, Pennsylvania, until after having filed, on the official form prescribed by the Civil Service Commission, a sworn application giving such information as the Commission may require. The official application form and all notations, references, and statements appearing in it are incorporated by reference into these rules and regulations and shall be as much a part of these rules as if they were fully described herein. The applicant must make an oath or affirmation that the application is completed truthfully, and the application is subject to the penalties of 18 Pa. C.S.A. § 4904 relating to unsworn falsification to authorities. 302. Discrimination. The Borough of Highspire is an equal opportunity employer. It is the Borough’s and the commission’s policy to grant equal employment opportunities to qualified persons without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, age, veteran’s 5 status, marital status or nonjob-related physical or mental handicap or disability. The Borough and its commission will provide equal opportunities in employment and promotion. 303. Availability. Application forms shall be available to all interested persons in the office of the Borough Secretary, and from such other offices and officers that the commission, from time to time, may choose to designate. Application forms may be mailed to applicants upon written or telephone request. However, the commission assumes no responsibility for missed filing deadlines due to a delay in the mail. 304. Age and Residency Requirements. No person shall be eligible to apply for examination unless he is at least eighteen years of age at the date of application. An applicant need not be a resident of the borough. The Council of the Borough may authorize the commission, by rule or regulation, to require policemen to become residents of the borough after appointment to such position. 305. General Qualifications - All Applicants. Each applicant for a position in the Police Department shall be a citizen of the United States, and shall have graduated from an accredited high school or have an equivalent education acceptable to the Commission. In the case of a foreign born applicant, evidence satisfactory to the Commission shall be produced showing the person to be naturalized citizen. Each applicant shall be physically, medically, and psychologically fit, to be determined by an appointed agent of the commission, for the performance of the duties of a police officer, of good moral character, and licensed to operate a motor vehicle in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The commission may at it’s discretion add an additional requirement of previous Act 120 certification or similar training that would allow a waiver of training to be granted by M.P.O.E.T.C., 53 Pa. C.S.A. § 2161 et seq. 306. General Qualifications - Applications for Promotion. (A) In addition to meeting the qualifications fixed for each applicant for a position in the Police Department, all applicants for a promotional position, except chief, shall: (1) Have been continuously employed full time by the Borough of Highspire in the police service for at least three (3) years prior to the date of application, in the case of a Corporal and at least four (4) years for all other officers. (2) Have satisfactorily completed their in-service training program for police officers and have graduated from a recognized police school. (3) Have demonstrated an ability to carry out orders from superiors, and (4) Demonstrate a working knowledge of police science and administration, and other areas of law enforcement. (5) Demonstrate an ability to deliver and supervise the work of subordinates, and (6) Have received at least a grade of "satisfactory" on the latest service rating; 6  provided that an evaluation of the experience, training, general background, and such other records of performance of the applicant, at the discretion of the Commission, may be substituted for the service rating. (7) Not have been suspended without pay for more than five (5) days at any time in the past three (3) years prior to the deadline for submitting applications. Any suspension to which the applicant has made a timely appeal pursuant to the grievance procedure or these Rules and Regulations shall be disregarded unless the appeal is resolved prior to the creation of the eligibility list. 307. Investigation of Applicant. An investigation of the character and reputation of the applicant may be made by the Commission its agent or agents and may include credit reports (Credit reports are not sufficient to disqualify applicant), and reports of investigation from recognized agencies, after a waiver is signed by the applicant. The character and reputation of the applicant must be sufficient for him/her to merit appointment as a police officer. 308. Filing Applications. Applications for positions in the Police Department may be received at any time, during normal business hours, in the office of the Borough Secretary, and by such other offices and officers as the Commission may designate. The receipt of such applications shall be subject to the following conditions: (a) All applications must be received at least fourteen (14) days prior to the fixed date of the written examination or stated in the public announcement. (b) An application shall become invalid one (1) year after the date upon which it was received. 309. Recording Applications. The office of the Borough Secretary shall receive each application. Once received, the commission or agent as designated by the commission, may review each application for the purpose of determining that such application contains no errors or omissions. An application containing errors or omissions may, at the commissions discretion, be returned to the applicant for correction prior to the deadline for filing applications, after which no new applications or amended applications will be accepted. The Borough Secretary shall date, number, and record, in the order of receipt, all applications which, once recorded, shall be Commission records and shall not be returned to the applicants. 310. Disqualification of Applicant. The commission may refuse to examine, or, if examined, may refuse to certify as eligible after examination, any applicant who is found to lack any of the minimum qualifications for examination prescribed in these Rules and Regulations for the particular position for which the applicant has applied. In addition, the commission may refuse to examine, or if examined, may refuse to certify any applicant who is physically or mentally unfit to perform the full duties of the position applied for, or who is a habitual substance abuser, who is guilty of any crime involving moral turpitude, or of infamous or notoriously disgraceful conduct, or who has been dismissed from public service for delinquency or misconduct in office, or who is affiliated with any group whose policies or activities are 7 subversive to the forms of government set forth in the constitution and laws of the United States and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 311. Penalty for False Statement. The statements made by the applicant in the official application shall contain no falsification, omission or concealment of material fact. Should investigation disclose any willful misstatement, falsification or concealment with respect to an application: (a) The application shall be invalid and the applicant shall be disqualified from examination, or (b) If the applicant shall have been examined, the name of such applicant shall be removed from the eligible list, or (c) If the applicant shall have been appointed, such willful misstatement, falsification or concealment shall constitute grounds for dismissal from the Police Department. No person who shall make any willful false application shall be permitted to make future application for any position in the Police Department of the Borough. 312. Hearing for Disqualified Applicants. Any applicants or other persons who believe that they are aggrieved by actions of the commission, in refusing to examine or to certify them as eligible after examination, may request a hearing before the commission. Within ten days after such request, the commission shall designate a time and place for the hearing which shall be conducted pursuant to the procedures set forth in the Local Agency Law, 2 Pa. C.S. ss 101 et seq. The applicant or aggrieved party must make their request for a hearing in writing within ten calendar days of the date when the party knew or should have known of the commission’s action which is being challenged. 313. Public Notice. Public notice of the time and place of every examination, together with information as to the position to be filled, shall be given by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the Borough. The public notice shall be published at least two (2) weeks prior to an examination and a copy of the notice shall be posted on the bulletin board in the Borough Municipal Building. The public notice shall contain, at the minimum, the following information: (a) Title/general requirements of the position to be filled, and (b) Time and place for the commencement of the examination process, or if this cannot be accomplished, all applicants will be notified by mail. In addition, the time and place shall be posted in the Municipal Building. Additional public notice by publication, posting, or otherwise may be given at any time at the discretion of the Commission. 8  314. Notice of Examination. In addition to the public notice, the Secretary shall give written notice to each qualified applicant as follows: (a) Notice of oral examination before the Examination Board as described in Article IV below shall be given in writing at least three (3) days prior to the date of the examination. (b) Notice of any medical examination shall be given at least three (3) days prior to the date fixed for such examination. All notices shall be mailed or otherwise delivered at least three (3) days prior to the date fixed for examination. Failure to report for an examination in accordance with the instructions contained in the written notice shall disqualify the applicant, except that in the case of a medical examination, the applicant, with the prior approval of the medical examiner designated in the notice, may fix another date and time for such examination, with the concurrence of the Commission. ARTICLE IV. EXAMINATION AND GRADING PROCEDURE 401. Examinations for Patrolman. The examination for the position of Patrolman shall consist of the following two parts: (a) A written examination which shall include a general police aptitude test, an intelligence test, and such other written tests as the Commission may, from time to time, designate, and (b) An oral examination. Each part of the written examination and the oral examination shall be graded on the scale of one hundred (100) per cent and shall be weighted as follows: (a) For the written portions of the examination, a total of fifty (50) points, and (b) For the oral examination, a total of fifty (50) points. (c) The sum of the weighted scores shall not exceed one hundred (100) per cent. In addition, each applicant will undergo additional testing as the commission directs. These tests include but are not limited to, a physical agility examination and a background investigation. These tests and investigations will be graded on a pass/fail basis for every applicant. After an applicant has been extended an offer of employment, final appointment shall be contingent upon the applicant passing a physical and psychological examination. These 9 additional tests and investigations shall be delegated to the Chief of Police acting as an agent for the Commission. 402. Examination for Corporal, Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain. The Commission and/or its agents shall conduct the examination. The examination for the position of Corporal, Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captain, shall consist: (a) A written examination which shall include a test of police knowledge and performance, an intelligence test, and such other written test, as the Commission may, from time to time, designate, and (b) An oral examination, and (c) An evaluation of the service ratings or performance records of the applicant. The examination shall be graded on a scale of one hundred (100 percent and shall be weighted as follows: (a) For the written portions of the examination, a total of forty (40) points, and (b) For the oral examination, a total of forty (40) points, and (c) For the evaluation of the service ratings or performance records of the applicant, a total of twenty 20) points. So far as they are able, the Civil Service Commission shall provide that the written portion of the examination for the varying ranks shall place emphasis upon those qualifications which are important in each rank. In every case, however, the total weight assigned to the written examination shall be a total of forty (40) points. 403. Written Examinations. The written examination shall be graded on a 100-point scale, and an applicant must score seventy percent (70%) or higher and remain one of the top twenty-five (25) scores including ties in order to continue in the application process. Applicants scoring less than seventy (70) percent shall be rejected. All applicants shall be given written notice of their test results as soon as practical and passing applicants shall be scheduled for an oral examination appointment. 404. Oral Examination. Every applicant who scored seventy percent (70%) or higher and received one of the top twenty-five (25) highest scores in the written examination shall be given an oral examination which shall be graded on a 100-point scale with a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher necessary for passing. The oral examination shall involve questioning applicants on how they would handle situations relevant to police work. All applicants who participate in an oral examination shall be given written notice of their test results as soon as 10 practical. 405. Veterans’ Preference Points. Every applicant for the position of Patrolman who receives a score of at least seventy (70) percent, and who is entitled by law to additional credit for service in the Armed Forces of the United States shall have his score adjusted by an additional ten (10) points. Any applicant claiming veterans’ preference is responsible for providing any and all relevant documents to the commission. Applicants claiming veterans' preference shall submit satisfactory proof of active service and honorable discharge whenever the Commission shall so demand. There shall be no veterans preference above the rank of patrolman. 406. Additional Service Points. Applicants of the position of patrol officer may receive five (5) additional points added to their total score if he or she is currently employed by the Borough as a part-time patrol officer, has been employed in that position for at least six (6) months, and has received passing scores under sections 401, 403, 404. The part-time patrol officer must have received a “satisfactory” or better score on the most recent performance rating administered by the Chief of Police in order to be qualified for the additional five (5) points. 407. Notice of Applicant's Grade. When the grading of each examination is completed, the Secretary or agent shall give each applicant written notice of his grade upon written request. Otherwise, the grades shall be posted in the Municipal Building upon completion and certification of an Eligibility List. 408. Ineligibility for Future Examinations for Six Months. If an applicant fails to obtain a passing grade in any examination, he shall not be eligible for a subsequent examination for any position in the Police Department of the Borough for a period of six (6) months. 409. Administering Examinations. The Commission may designate an examining agency or a qualified individual, the State Civil Service Commission of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Chief of Police, or any other recognized examining agency to act as examiner for the written examinations. The oral examination and the evaluation of the service or performance record of any applicant shall be the responsibility of the Commission; provided, however, that the Commission may designate, from time to time, such persons qualified in oral examining procedures and techniques, or qualified to evaluate performance of service records, as are considered necessary to assist in such examinations and evaluations. 410. Conduct of Written Examinations. The Commission shall prepare a statement of instructions and rules for the conduct of written examinations. The regularly appointed examiner shall administer each examination in accordance with the instructions of the Commission, and be responsible for enforcing the rules of conduct for written examinations. 411. Penalty for Improper Conduct. Should an applicant be found guilty of any act tending to defeat the proper conduct or the result of any examination, his name shall be removed from the eligible list resulting from the examination and the applicant shall not be permitted to make future application for any position in the Highspire Police Department. 11  412. Background Investigations. The commission shall request the Chief of Police or the Chief’s designee to conduct a background investigation on each applicant whose name has been submitted to the Borough Council for consideration for appointment to the position of patrolman. The background investigation shall include interviews with the applicant’s family, acquaintances, current and former employers, current and former neighbors, references and current and former teachers and school officials. In addition, the applicant’s credit history, applicant’s driving record for verification that they possess a valid driver’s license and record of criminal convictions should be investigated. The applicant may be interviewed directly when the information collected during the background investigation requires clarification or explanation. If necessary to complete a thorough background investigation on any applicant, the commission may, upon the request of the chief of police or his designee, subpoena the personnel records maintained by any other police department(s) by which the applicant was previously employed. On completion of the Background Investigation the Chief or designee shall give written notice to the Civil Service Commission of any recommendation(s) to disqualify or remove an applicant. Such notice shall include the reasons for disqualification. The commission shall make the final determination on whether the information collected during the background investigation warrants rejection of the applicant. Within thirty (30) days after the commission considers the recommendation of the Chief of Police or designee, the applicant will be informed of the Commission’s decision to remove the applicant from the eligibility list as the result of the background investigation. 413. Physical Agility Testing. An applicant for the position of police officer must meet the following requirements: PHYSICAL FITNESS/AGILITY TEST All applicants applying for the position of "Police Officer", except those officers who are currently employed full-time with another department (Lateral Transfer), must demonstrate their physical ability and endurance. The Physical Fitness/Agility Tests shall be administered by the Chief of Police or his designee, The Dauphin County Chief’s of Police Association, or other party as approved by the Highspire Civil Service Commission, acting as an agent of the Commission. The specific course of testing shall be determined by the administrator. Each exercise or event shall involve the applicant's participation and will be scored as PASS FAIL. Applicants must successfully pass all events to proceed with the written testing. *** Disqualified applicants may reapply for subsequent future testing opportunities. *** ARTICLE V. CERTIFICATION OF THE ELIGIBLES AND APPOINTMENT 501. Creation of Eligibility List. At the completion of the examination requirements set forth in Article 4, the commission shall rank all passing applicants on a list with the applicant receiving the highest score at the top of the list and the applicant receiving the lowest passing 12 score at the bottom of the list. Applicants for patrol officer who qualify for veterans’ preference and additional service points shall have those points added to their passing score prior to being ranked on the eligibility list. The eligible list shall be filed in the office of the Borough Secretary, and a copy posted on the bulletin board in the Borough Municipal Building. For promotional positions, fulfilling the performance requirement set forth in Section 306 is also required. In the case of tied scores, the tie will be broken by giving preference to the applicant who submitted a final completed application or resume first. If both tied applicants submitted their applications or resume at the same time, then the applicants shall be ranked in alphabetical order by surname. The eligibility list shall be valid for one year from the date the commission ranks all passing applicants, assigns veterans preference points and formally adopts the eligibility list. The commission may, at its sole discretion, by a vote of the majority of the commission at a duly authorized commission meeting extend the list for an additional year, The commission may, at its sole discretion, void an eligibility list at any time for any reason. 502. Appointment. (a) The appointing authority of the Borough may fill any vacancy in an existing position in the Police Department which occurs as a result of expansion of the police force, retirement, resignation, disability or death by the reappointment or reinstatement of a former employee of the Police Department who had been furloughed. Except for medical and psychological examination, no other testing shall be required for a furloughed employee or a rehired or reappointed employee, subject to any re-certification requirements prescribed by the Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission. (b) If no furlough list exists or if positions remain to be filled after all of the officers on the furlough list were offered re-employment, every position, except that of the Chief of Police, shall be filled only in the following manner: (1) The appointing authority of the Borough shall notify the commission of any vacancy which is to be filled and shall request the certification of three (3) names from the list of eligibles; if more than one (1) vacancy exists the commission shall certify a list of names which shall include one (1) name for every vacancy plus two (2) additional names; (2) if three (3) names are not available, then the commission shall certify the name(s) remaining on the list; (3) the Borough Council shall make an appointment from one of the three names certified with reference to the merits and fitness of the candidates. However, for initial appointment to patrol officer, when one of the three applicants on the certified list is a qualified veteran, that applicant shall be selected. (c) The Borough Council may object to one or more of the persons certified for reasons 13 set forth in Section 310 of these Rules and Regulations. If the candidate to whom the Borough Council objects fails to timely exercise the rights of appeal under Section 312 or if the commission declines to uphold the appeal, the commission shall strike the name of that candidate from the eligibility list and certify the next name for inclusion on the list of three candidates for each name stricken off. 503. Appointment of Chief of Police. In the case of a vacancy in the office of Chief of Police, the appointing authority has full discretion in selecting the individual to fill the position of Chief of Police. If the appointing authority requests the commission to subject that person to a noncompetitive examination, and if that person successfully passes the noncompetitive examination, then the commission shall notify the appointing authority of the results of the examination. If after receiving notice from the commission that the candidate for chief is qualified, the appointing authority votes to bestow civil service status on the person, he may only be removed from the position of chief of police for the reasons set forth in Section 601. 504. Medical and Psychological Examinations. After the appointing authority selects a candidate from the certified list of three for appointment to the vacant position, that candidate shall submit to a medical examination and a psychological examination by the appropriate medical experts appointed by the commission. If the candidate successfully passes the medical and psychological examinations, then that employee shall be appointed to the vacant position in the police department for which the application was submitted. The appointment shall be contingent upon successfully passing both the medical and psychological examinations. Failure to pass either examination shall result in the candidate being rejected from consideration. The rejected candidate may appeal this decision under Section 312. The commission shall then certify another name to be included with the two previously certified names for consideration by the appointing authority. 505. Probationary Period. Every successful applicant to the position of patrol officer or to a promotional position with the police department shall serve a twelve (12) month probationary period. For newly hired police officers, the one (1) year probationary period shall not commence until after the officer has completed training under Act 120 and receives a certification number. During the probationary period, a newly hired officer may only be dismissed for reasons set forth in Section 310. A promoted officer, during probation, may be returned to a prior rank only for cause for the reasons set forth in Section 310. However, at the end of the twelve (12) month probationary period, if the conduct of the probationer has not been satisfactory to the Borough Council, the probationer shall be notified in writing that the appointment will not be permanent. At that time, a newly hired officer’s employment shall end, and a promoted officer shall return to a previous rank. Any officer who is not informed in writing that their performance has been unsatisfactory, shall receive a permanent appointment to the new position. Any probationer who is notified in writing that appointment will not be made permanent has no rights of appeal under these Rules and Regulations. 506. Provisional Appointments. Whenever there are urgent reasons for the filling of a vacancy in any position in the police department and there are no names on the eligible list for such appointment, the Borough Council may nominate a person to the commission for 14 noncompetitive examination, and such nominee may be certified by the commission as qualified after such noncompetitive examination, and may be appointed provisionally to fill the vacancy. It shall thereupon become the duty of the commission within three weeks to hold a competitive examination and certify a list of eligibles and then a regular appointment shall be made from the name or names submitted by the commission: provided, that nothing within this section shall prevent the appointment, without examination, of persons temporarily as police officers in cases of riot or other emergency. ARTICLE VI. SUSPENSIONS, REMOVAL AND REDUCTION IN RANK. 601. Grounds for Disciplinary Action. (a) No person appointed to a position in the police department pursuant to these Rules and Regulations may be suspended without pay or removed and no person promoted in rank pursuant to these Rules and Regulations may be reduced in rank except for the following reasons: (1) physical or mental disability affecting the officer’s ability to continue in service, in which case the officer shall receive an honorable discharge from service; (2) neglect or violation of any official duty; (3) violation of any law of this Commonwealth which provides that such violation constitutes a misdemeanor or felony; (4) inefficiency, neglect, intemperance, disobedience of orders or conduct unbecoming an officer; (5) intoxication while on duty; or (6) engaging or participating in or conducting of any political or election campaign other than the officer’s exercise of the right of suffrage. (7) Employees shall be subject to the Borough's "Drug- Free Workplace Policy." The use of illegal drugs or the abuse of other drugs may be deemed to be cause for suspension, removal or reduction in rank. (b) No officer shall be removed for religious, racial or political reason. A statement of any charges made against any officer so employed shall be furnished to the officer within five (5) days after those charges have been adopted by the Borough Council. 602. Furloughs. (a) If for reasons of economy or other reasons, it shall be deemed necessary by the Borough to reduce the number of full-time police officers in the department, then the Borough shall apply the following: (1) if there are any employees eligible for retirement under the terms of any retirement or pension law, then such reductions in number shall be made 15 by retirement of such employees starting with the oldest employee and following in order of age respectively; (2) if the number of full-time police officers eligible for retirement is insufficient to effect the necessary reduction in numbers, or if there are no persons eligible for retirement, or if no retirement or pension exists, then the reductions shall be effected by furloughing the person or persons, including probationers, last appointed to the respective force. (b) Such removal shall be accomplished by furloughing in numerical order commencing with the person last appointed until such reduction shall have been accomplished. In the event that the appointing authority decides to increase the police department, the furloughed officers shall be reinstated in order of their seniority in the department if the furloughed officer accepts reinstatement in writing within thirty (30) days of receiving notice of the opening. These reduction in force provisions are not applicable to the Chief of Police. 603. Notice of Suspension, Removal or Reduction in Rank. Whenever a police officer is suspended, removed or reduced in rank, the specific charges warranting such actions shall be stated in writing by the Borough Council. The charges shall be stated clearly and in sufficient detail to enable the officer to understand the charges and allow the officer an opportunity to respond to those charges. The charges shall specify the clause of Section 601 which provides the basis for the disciplinary action as well as an explanation of the factual circumstances upon which the appointing authority relied in finding a violation of Section 601. Within five days after the Borough Council has voted to impose the disciplinary action, a written statement of the charges shall be delivered to the officer by personal service or by registered mail. In addition, the charges shall notify the officer of the right to appeal under Section 604 of these Rules and Regulations. A copy of the statement of charges shall also be served upon the members of the Civil Service Commission. 604. Hearing on Suspension, Removal and Reductions in Rank. (a) The officer who has been suspended, removed or reduced in rank may appeal the decision of the appointing authority by written notice to the secretary of the commission at 640 Eshelman St. Highspire, Pa 17034 requesting a hearing. This request shall be received by the commission within ten (10) days after the officer received notice of the discipline. The officer may make written answers to any charges filed not later than the date fixed for the hearing. Failure of the officer to provide written answers to any of the charges shall not be deemed an admission by the officer. (b) The commission shall schedule a hearing within ten days from the officer’s written request for a hearing unless continued by the commission for cause at the request of the commission, the Borough Council or the officer. At any such hearing, the officer against whom the charges have been made may be present and represented by counsel, may call witnesses and present testimony and documentation in defense. The Borough may also be represented by counsel, call witnesses and present evidence as is necessary to support the charges. A stenographic record of all testimony shall be taken at every hearing and preserved by the commission. In the event the charges are dismissed, the record shall be sealed and not be 16 available for public inspection. (c) In conducting the hearing, the commission’s standard of review shall be to determine whether sufficient evidence has been presented to support the statutory reason for the disciplinary action. If the commission finds that sufficient evidence has been introduced to support the charge, the commission shall not modify the penalty imposed by the Borough Council unless it finds that the penalty imposed was arbitrary, discriminatory or an abuse of the Council’s discretion. In considering the appropriateness of the discipline, the commission shall not substitute its judgment for that of the Borough Council. The commission may request post hearing briefs, and shall issue a written decision containing specific findings of fact and conclusions of law within sixty (60) days of receipt of the hearing transcript. 605. Hearing Procedure. (a) All testimony shall be given under oath administered by the chairperson, or in absence of the chair, the vice-chairperson. The commission shall have power to issue subpoenas as set forth in Section 212. The hearing shall be open to the public unless, prior to the commencement of the hearing, a written or oral request to close the hearing is made by either the charged officer or the Borough. (b) If the commission sustains the charges, the officer who was suspended, removed or reduced in rank may file an appeal with the Court of Common Pleas within thirty (30) days from the date of entry by the commission of its final order. No order of suspension shall be made by the commission for a period longer than one year. In the event that the commission fails to uphold the charges, then the person sought to be suspended, removed or demoted shall be reinstated with full pay for the period of the suspension, removal or demotion, and no charges related to the suspension, removal or reduction in rank shall be officially recorded in the officer’s record. (c) Each hearing shall be conducted in the following manner: (1) The Chairman shall state the general purpose of the hearing, and (2) The Secretary, upon direction of the Chairman, shall read the written charges against the accused together with the record of action taken against such officer, and (3) The Secretary shall read any written reply of the accused, and (4) The Chairman shall afford each person making charges, or his/her counsel, an opportunity to make further statement in support of the charges and to produce any witness, and (5) The Chairman shall afford the accused, or his/her counsel, an opportunity to question or cross-examine any witness produced by each person, and (6) The Chairman shall afford each accused person or his/her counsel an 17  opportunity to produce any witness, and to sum up the defense. (7) The Commission shall be the judge of admissible evidence and procedures, and shall not be bound by technical rules of evidence. (8) A stenographic transcript of proceedings shall be made and filed in the Commission's archives along with all other records pertinent to the case. Such records shall be sealed and not open to public inspection. The Commission, at any time during the course of the hearing, may question or cross-examine the person making charges, the accused, and any witness. ARTICLE VIII. COMMISSION FORMS 801. Use of Forms. The Commission may adapt and use various types of forms to perform their official functions, copies of which may be obtained from the Borough Secretary, and from such other offices and officers that the Commission, from time to time, may choose to designate. 802. Types of Forms. The following numbered forms and their titles become the official forms of the Commission and a part of the Rules and Regulations of the Commission, a copy of which may be obtained from the Secretary of the Commission: 1. Application for Examination 2. Minimum Qualifications of Applicants 3. Certificate of Medical Examination 4. Confidential Inquiry Letter 5. Confidential Inquiry Form 6. Instructions to Competitors 7. Notice of Medical Examination 8. Notice of (Written) (Oral) Examination 9. Rating Form - Oral Interview 10. Certification Notice 11. Personal Service Record 12. Service Rating Police Department ARTICLE IX. RESOLUTION for Adoption of Rules The foregoing rules and regulations, which are in accordance with the powers granted by the Civil Service sections of "The Borough Code" Sections 1171-1195, enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and in accordance with the authority granted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Highspire, Pennsylvania, are hereby adopted by the Civil Service Commission of Highspire, Pennsylvania, on . 18  Chairman Vice-Chairman Secretary Approved by the Borough Council of The Borough of Highspire Pennsylvania on the 1st day of October, 2025. ATTEST _______________________ Borough Secretary Borough Council President 19