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Myerstown Borough Council unanimously agreed on Tuesday to approve the draft 2025 budget and pass a resolution setting tax rates, which do not change from previous years.
Following discussion at last month’s meeting, council also unanimously agreed to transfer the planning and execution of a carnival in May from the recreation board to the Elmer C. Ebling Memorial Charity.
This comes following concerns from some council members about liability risks associated with the borough-run rec board planning and executing the carnival.
Daniel Ebling, the founder of the nonprofit, was present Monday and asked to hold the carnival at Community Park on May 21-26, which was unanimously granted. The request also included the following approvals and stipulations from council:
- Use of the park two days before and two days after the carnival for setup/cleanup, during which time carnival employees will use the pool bathroom. Council stipulated that the nonprofit should provide a volunteer to oversee the bathroom to ensure it does not run out of supplies.
- A petting zoo, possibly including anything from horses to exotic animals to chickens, though Ebling said it will most likely primarily contain small livestock. He said the petting zoo will be supplied by a licensed independent entity.
- An entertainment series with music and other performances on stage.
- Use of the Public Works highways garage for trailers for carnival employee accommodations, and temporary use of Public Works electricity while setting up trailers, as well as a water hook up for trailers.
- Advertising banners to be displays in the Community Park.
- Setup of carnival rides in the park provided by Huey’s Amusement.
- Potential parking overflow in the baseball field.
Ebling said that the charity will organize portable toilets, security during operating hours (12 to 10 p.m.), and traffic control as needed during the course of the carnival.
He said he also plans to coordinate with Myerstown Pool to give a 50 percent discount on ride passes for all who have purchased a pool season pass.
Ebling said the other benefit to his charity planning the event is that it is not subject to the same fundraising stipulations as a government entity. However, the borough will need to receive the go-ahead from Bell & Evans, which donated $500 for the carnivals, to transfer it to the Elmer C. Ebling Memorial Charity.
The borough will also need to transfer the $785 in proceeds from a recreation board cornhole tournament to the nonprofit.
Dutch Valley Company owner and founder Ebling explained to LebTown in an email that he started the charity in honor of his late great-grandfather Elmer Ebling — founder of Ebling’s Meat Market around 1940 — who donated the land now known as Myerstown Community Park.
“I created Elmer C. Ebling Memorial Charity for several reasons, but the top two are to honor my great-grandfather for all he has done for the community, and to provide events that bring the community together,” explained Ebling.
Ebling also received unanimous approval from council to continue the annual Summer Concert Series in 2025, with dates May 22, June 26, July 17, Aug. 21, and Sept. 19, with rain dates the following day for each event.
Council also agreed to rent room 244 of the Community Center to the Elmer C. Ebling Memorial Charity for $350 per month.
Ebling requested to use the room for $1 per month, as the borough rents space to some other charities (MVP, the Heritage Society, and Isaac Meier Homestead) for $1 monthly.
Ebling also offered to pay for various upgrades to the room including the installation of new countertops, painting the room, replacement of ceiling tiles, and more in exchange for the $1 rent, but the request was denied by council.
In other news, council:
- Heard that there was a fire at 19 S. College St., a home which was condemned by council, and that electric and water were only turned off after the fire. Council president Park Haverstick II said that while the borough rarely condemns properties, it should order the shutoff of electric and water where possible when it does.
- Watched a presentation from borough manager Michael McKenna on the application form for residential rental licenses. McKenna also requested that council consider a $45 fee per paper application, as paper applications take half an hour to be inputted into the system, but council did not act on that Tuesday.
- Set meeting dates for 2025.
- Unanimously approved Isaac Meier Homestead requests for a Christmas Shopping event Dec. 14, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and a Tavern Night event March 15, 5 to 8 p.m.
- Unanimously approved facility requests from Mission Church, the library, and Josh Deck.
- Unanimously passed nine routine end-of-year resolutions including record disposition, check and document signers, and appointment of officials.
- Renewed agreements with Rettew (engineering) and Stanilla, Siegel, and Maser (auditor).
- Unanimously approved reports, bills, and minutes.
Myerstown Borough Council meets the second Tuesday of each month. These meetings are open to the public and do not require prior registration.
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