Last Thursday, Trumbauersville Borough Council voted to reverse a decision made in July, handling the distribution of a borough scholarship fund themselves. Last month, council voted to donate the money raised to Mayor James Black, who had established the scholarship fund in 2020.

            Black first announced the idea for the fund in December 2019. As previously reported, the scholarships were originally planned to be distributed to youth who participated in community service within the borough. 

            While donations for the scholarship were collected by Black, the borough agreed in February 2020 to establish and manage the fund. With no agreed-upon method for selecting and distributing the funds to date, no scholarships have been awarded. 

            On Thursday night, Vice President Christopher Betz motioned for the vote after a verbal altercation between Black and Council President Edward Child over the fund's fate. Child explained that, while council voted to turn the funds over to Black for distribution last month, the borough's auditor later advised against that action.

            Borough Solicitor Colby Grim further explained that, since donations were received through checks made out to the borough, the borough should handle distribution.

            Grim added that one option, to return donations to the donors, could create an issue for those who claimed the donation as a deduction on their federal income taxes.

            Another option, to have Black form a committee to select a recipient with funds then distributed by the borough, was rejected by Black. 

            "I have people here who I no longer trust to handle that money," Black said, indicating that the donations are kept as part of the borough's general fund and accusing Child of misrepresenting the account's purpose to another council member.

            Child countered that the funds have been kept in a separate account and he never lied about the purpose of that account.  "The money is there and he is refusing to give it out," Child said. 

            Councilman Michael George voted against the motion but did not provide any details regarding his vote.  George also called for a roll call vote after Black requested one. 

            Based upon the vote, council will form a selection committee to distribute the scholarships with details forthcoming. A current balance for the fund was not provided during the meeting.

            In other business, council approved a five-year contract with AT&T to install cellular antennas on the borough's water tower, with AT&T paying $2,000 monthly for rent. 

            Council also authorized several repairs to well No. 2, part of the borough's independent water system. Well No. 2 is currently turned off, awaiting pipe repairs and an upgraded arsenic system. Councilman Frederick Potter, chair of the public services committee, reported that well No. 3 is fully operational.