The special meeting of the Borough of Baldwin Council was called to order at 7:30 p.m. at the Municipal Building by President Marian Joseph.  Following the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, the following members answered the Roll Call;

Mr. David Deprestis, Mrs. Joan Etzel, Mrs. Shirley Kuchta, Mr. Mark Nix, Mr. Michael Fetsko Jr., and Mrs. Marian Joseph.  Also present were Mayor Alexander Bennett and Timothy Little, Borough Manager.  Mr. Michael Ducker was absent.

                        M-1  Mrs. Joan Etzel made a motion to accept the resignation of

                              James Matscherz as the Code Enforcement Officer; second

                              by Mr. Mark Nix.  Upon vote, motion carried 6-0.  Mr. Ducker

                              was absent.

                        M-2   Mrs. Etzel made a motion to advertise for the position of Code

                               Enforcement Officer; second by Mrs. Kuchta.  Upon vote,

                               motion carried 6-0.  Mr. Ducker was absent.

                        M-3   Mrs. Joseph made a motion to accept the resignation of W.

                               Timothy Barry as Borough Solicitor; second by Mr. Nix.  Upon

                                vote, motion carried 6-0.  Mr. Ducker was absent.

                        M-4   Mrs. Joseph made a motion to appoint Stanley B. Lederman

                               the new Borough Solicitor; second by Mrs. Kuchta.

Mr. Depretis asked council why it was not advertising for the solicitor position?  According to Mr. Lederman’s letter, the Borough will pay him a flat fee of $7,500.00 per month.  Is this amount reasonable?  I think we should advertise and interview for the position. 

     Mrs. Joseph gave Mr. Depretis a breakdown of the Solicitor’s costs since 2001.  She also said “it’s a Professional position and does not need to be advertised”. 

     Mr. Fetsko asked Mr. Little if this was an average monthly fee for the Solicitor?  Mr. Little stated that if the monthly fee was under $5000.00, that was a “light” month.  If it was over $9,000.00, it was a “heavy” month.  Mr. Little stated that $7,500.00 was an average. 

     Mrs. Joseph noted that the legal bills last month were over $11,000.00.

                              Upon roll call vote Messer. Nix, Fetsko and Mmes. Etzel,      

                              Kuchta and Joseph voted yes.  Mr. Depretis voted no. Mr.

                              Ducker was absent.  Motion carried 5 yes votes to 1 no vote.                                                                  

                        M-5   Mr. Fetsko made a motion to adjourn; second by Mrs.

                               Joseph.  Upon vote, motion carried 6-0.  Mr. Ducker was

                                absent.

Meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.

Respectively Submitted;

BOROUGH OF BALDWIN

Timothy J. Little

Borough Manager