Borough council voted 4-2 Nov. 2 to adopt a new agenda policy and meeting code of conduct after a discussion largely focused on how much time residents should be allotted to speak during public comment periods.

The policy increases the public speaking limit from three minutes to four minutes, a change that generated the most discussion of the evening and prompted audible frustration from some residents in attendance. Audience members could be heard muttering that four minutes was still not enough time as council debated the issue.

Council President Carl Sell Jr. argued for retaining the existing three-minute limit.

“I personally would like to still say three,” Sell said, adding he believed three minutes was sufficient for residents to make their comments.

Councilman Greg Hutchison also questioned extending public comment.

“We’re here to do business. We’re not here to entertain people,” Hutchison said.

Residents stressed the importance of public participation during the discussion, while council members weighed whether an additional minute would improve opportunities for citizens to address elected officials.

The policy grew out of discussions over the past several months regarding public comment procedures, agenda preparation and meeting conduct. It establishes rules for public participation, agenda preparation, meeting decorum and the authority of the council president during meetings.

Under the policy, regular meetings will generally include two public comment periods, one near the beginning of the meeting for nonagenda items and another before council takes official action on agenda items. The resolution states council “recognizes the importance of public participation in municipal government and shall provide a reasonable opportunity for public comment consistent with the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act.”

The code of conduct applies to council members, borough staff and residents attending meetings. It states that “all persons attending or participating in Borough Council meetings are expected to conduct themselves in a civil, orderly, and respectful manner” and provides procedures for addressing disruptive conduct.

Council later discussed a provision concerning agenda amendments. The borough solicitor explained that changes to Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Act scheduled to take effect in December will limit the circumstances under which municipalities can amend meeting agendas.

As a result, council member Megan Sell moved to adopt Resolution 2026-20 with a revision removing language regarding agenda amendments while retaining a process for additions to future agendas.

Resident Paul Licata also asked whether the new rules would require council to respond to questions raised during public comment. The adopted policy states that public comment is not intended to function as a question-and-answer session and that council members or staff may respond at their discretion. However, the policy also states council “will make a reasonable effort to have staff provide answers to inquiries subsequent to the public meeting, subject to legal, logistic, informational, and other limitations.”

The resolution was approved with Megan Sell, Stan Landis, Greg Reinbold and Thomas Ashelman voting in favor. Carl Sell Jr. and Greg Hutchison voted against the measure. Council member Lynette Sell was absent.

Following the vote, residents in attendance applauded.

The new policy took effect immediately upon adoption.