COLUMBIA SPY

JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY  Brown Plus will handle accounting and finance for 2027; Commonwealth Code Inspection Service takes on rental inspections and zoning Columbia Borough Council on Tuesday approved two contracts that move much of the borough's day-to-day finance and code work to outside firms: one with the accounting firm Brown Plus and one with Commonwealth Code Inspection Service of Manheim. The votes came the same night council hired Keystone Municipal Solutions as interim borough manager at $120 an hour, and they reflect a broader shift toward contracted services at Borough Hall. Council framed both deals as temporary supports while the borough rebuilds. "We need to get something to get us from A to B," Councilman Kelly Murphy said of the finance contract.  Brown Plus takes over  finance The finance agreement runs from Jan. 1, 2027, through the earlier of Dec. 31, 2027, or the date the borough hires its own finance manager. It is billed hourly and as needed. Co...

"The Returned Soldier" at Locust Street Park   Veterans Day is a federal holiday in the United States observed annually on November 11 to honor all military veterans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. History and Meaning • Origin: The holiday started as Armistice Day on November 11, 1919, marking the first anniversary of the end of World War I (hostilities ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918). • National Holiday: Congress made it a legal holiday in 1938. • Renamed Veterans Day: In 1954, following World War II and the Korean War, the holiday was renamed Veterans Day to honor all U.S. veterans—both living and dead—who served in war or peacetime. • Memorial Day Distinction: Veterans Day honors all American veterans, whereas Memorial Day (in May) specifically remembers those who died while serving in the military. Observances and Closures • Official Events: Key traditions include wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, parades,...

JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY   Contract pays $120 an hour for up to 30 hours a week; council says outside help will stabilize operations as it searches for a permanent manager Columbia Borough Council voted Tuesday night to hire Keystone Municipal Solutions LLC to serve as interim borough manager, handing day-to-day management of the borough to the firm at $120 an hour for up to 30 hours a week. Keystone will provide Chad Saylor, its executive director, as interim manager. Council chose Keystone over a competing proposal from Stonehill Ratliff LLC of Chambersburg after interviewing both in executive session. What the agreement says Under the agreement, Keystone's interim manager will perform the duties of borough manager under borough policies and report directly to council. Those duties include supervising departments, overseeing purchasing and contracts, handling complaints, administering the adopted budget and grants, and attending meetings as directed. The manager must also give ...

The CBSD school board has approved a policy banning students under age 16 from bringing or using motorized and electric transportation devices on school property, district officials announced to families. Registration is required for older students. The update to Board Policy 223, which governs bicycles and motorized or electric transportation devices, took effect Monday, November 9. In a notice titled "Important Student & Community Safety Update," the district asked families to make sure prohibited devices stay at home. "Keeping our students and community safe is a shared responsibility," the notice said. Under-16 ban Under the policy, students younger than 16 may not bring, ride, park, store or charge e-bikes, electric scooters, e-motos, minibikes, hoverboards or other motorized or electric transportation devices on school property. Older students Students 16 and older must follow state laws and district rules governing motorized bikes and other electric devic...

Anyone interested in serving the vacated council seat should submit their intent to council president Eric Kauffman at ekauffman@columbiapa.net or by dropping it off at the borough office. Letters of intent will be received until the start of the November 24,, 2026 regular council meeting at 7:00 p.m. During the regular council meeting we will have a Q&A session and possible vote for an individual. If votes are at a deadlock, a vote will again be held at the December 1, 2026 workshop meeting. - Must be a registered elector of the borough. 18 years or older. - Must reside in the borough. - Must have resided continuously in the borough for at least one year immediately prior to the election (affidavit required before being sworn in). - Must maintain residency in the borough while serving. - Incompatible offices: A school director or charter school trustee cannot serve; no person may hold more than one elective borough office at the same time. If a vote can not be reached by...

The meeting packet is  HERE .