WAYNESBORO – Waynesboro’s Borough Council agreed to embark on the $1.9 million renovation of Northside pool when they met on Wednesday, June 11. The council made formal plans to hire a contractor and then begin the necessary work once the pool closes for the 2025 season.
Borough Manager Jason Stains was confident that the renovation could be completed during the fall and winter months, and the Northside Pool would open on schedule for the 2026 season. Funds for the project are coming from borough coffers and grants.
The council spent a considerable amount of time discussing the renovation. Stains outlined the need for the project, which he said would keep the pool functioning for the next 25 years. The proposed project, pending design approval from state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, would replace the pool decking, repair cracks in the pool’s bottom (which suffers from minor leaking issues), and update pumps for the pool’s system.
The council approved contractor bidding for the project starting on June 20. Stains also said a Splash Pad would be considered in the future to extend the pool’s season after the lifeguards return to school since that feature wouldn’t require guarded protection.
The meeting began with Council President Harold Mumma requesting public comments or questions. For this regular meeting, which was moved from June 18 to June 11, visitors had access to written copies of the council’s agenda. No residents made any comments.
Junior council members recognized
Stains made a dual presentation to two Junior Councilpersons, Anna Oslikova and Delaney Stains, recognizing their work on the Council. The program encourages Waynesboro students to become more involved in local government. Both Oslikova and Stains recently graduated from Waynesboro Senior High School and received framed Distinguished Junior Council Awards from the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs.
Jason Stains thanked the students for their time spent in the borough government, saying, “Congratulations on being recognized. Your participation is greatly appreciated and has positively impacted your community.” He wished the two young women good fortune with their continuing educations and future careers.
First session for Royer
This council meeting was the first official session for new Mayor Dade Royer, who gave a summary of his activities since being chosen to replace long-time Mayor Dick Starliper, who passed away on May 16. Royer recently attended the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs Conference as a voting delegate and highlighted some of the resolutions passed on to the legislature. PSAB regularly advocates recommendations for new bills to state lawmakers.
Royer mentioned that one suggested Pennsylvania law originated in Waynesboro and is known as Joshua’s Law. The proposal would remove death benefit restrictions for Pennsylvania first responders killed while on duty in other states. Joshua Laird was a local resident who worked for Frederick County Fire and Rescue, and he died in Maryland during a 2021 fire incident. Laird’s family didn’t qualify to receive any compensation from Pennsylvania since he was killed in another state, nor did they receive any assistance from Maryland because he lived in Pennsylvania. This new law would close that loophole of coverage for future first responders.
Royer also discussed several meetings with Waynesboro’s Police Chief Ryan Ramsey. The mayor was encouraged by the monthly police department report, which recorded that several local crime statistics were down year-to-date compared to 2024. Reported offenses had declined, and arrests were down 53 percent. Royer said it was an accurate snapshot that crime had decreased in the community.
Borough manager’s report
Stains followed with his department report. He stated the borough Finance Committee borrowed $500,000 from the operating reserve at the beginning of 2025. The purpose of the reserve account, which totals $970,000, is to provide the Borough with funds while tax receipts are coming in. That loan has already been repaid.
Stains announced that the solar array at the old municipal golf course is the number one project in the queue with First Energy and should move forward promptly. The Borough Manager also mentioned the town’s Shade Tree Commission is discussing the concept with the Recreation Board of designating Rotary Park as an arboretum. Pennsylvania’s DCNR has funds earmarked for these types of projects, which could award mini-grants up to $50,000. “This is positive news,” Stains said, “So we’re interested in moving forward with that.”
New police/fire/EMS building
Regarding the borough’s Property Committee, Councilman Mike Cermak mentioned the design for a new Police/Fire/EMS building was close to completion, and a decision to approve that potential new structure would be discussed soon.
Streets, parking
The Street Committee, led by Councilman Jon Fleagle, made several motions to approve items, which included new ADA Reserved Accessible Parking Spaces and the installation of 25 mph speed limit signs on Ringgold Street between E. Third and E. Fourth streets. The Borough also approved a “PAWS 5K” downtown event on Oct. 11 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Some temporary street closures will ensure safety for that activity.
Another upcoming occasion was approved through the Recreation Board to allow Jesus Alive Ministries to hold a worship event at Memorial Park on July 20. The Council also approved the Waynesboro Police Department’s request to hold its annual “National Night Out” on August 5 from 6 to 8 pm at Memorial Park. Police Chief Ramsey noted the event was a popular community gathering with a typical attendance of 800 townspeople, making it one of the most significant police and fire events in Franklin County.
New business
The meeting concluded with two passed resolutions. One formally expressed support for a Waynesboro Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project. This concept would include more visible crosswalks and pedestrian crossing signals at high-volume and safety-oriented areas such as Memorial Park and Summitview School. The second approved the preparation and submission of an application to obtain bare root trees from the Pennsylvania Urban and Community Forest Council. This process would secure up to 20 free trees to provide shade at the Northside Dog Park.
The Council closed its session by discussing a possible change to the established 6:30 p.m. starting time. The panel decided the current time allowed both councilmen and citizens sufficient time to travel home from work and arrive to the meetings, so the starting time will remain at 6:30.
