Summary of the Carlisle Borough Council Meeting on November 13, 2025
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- Moment of Silence and Civil Society
- Honoring the Soccer Champions
- Committee Actions and Routine Approvals
- Planning and Infrastructure Updates
- Enactment of the Community Trust and Local Autonomy Ordinance
- Heated Debate Over the “Welcome Ordinance” – Citizen Statements related to the Community Trust and Local Autonomy Ordinance
- Items Voted On
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Moment of Silence and Civil Society
The November 13, 2025, Borough Council meeting commenced with a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilor Mellen. Councilor Mellen spoke extensively about recent government inaction at the state and federal levels, which led to the temporary suspension of critical social service programs like SNAP, LA HEAP, WIC, and Head Start, serving as a safety net for vulnerable neighbors. Mellen noted the irony that government websites directed people to 211 (a social services hotline mainly funded philanthropically) while government safety nets were non-functioning. Councilor Mellen argued that society has become so polarized that the inability to compromise leads to catastrophic systemic failure, and urged against normalizing this situation and reverting to tribalism in politics.
Honoring the Soccer Champions
Mayor Schultz presented a Mayoral Proclamation to honor the Carlisle Cannons U18 Girls Soccer Team, recognizing them as the 2025 US Youth Soccer National Presidents Cup Champions. Coach Doug Fitzgerald explained that the girls had been playing together since they were six or seven years old, attributing their success to the unity and bond created by the local youth soccer program. The team’s path to victory included winning the Pennsylvania State Cup Final 2-0, going undefeated at the USYS Regionals in June, and ultimately triumphing 2-0 over undefeated Chicago USC in the National Championship match held in Florida in July 2025.
Committee Actions and Routine Approvals
The Council quickly moved through the Consent Agenda, which included approving the Council Meeting Minutes from October 9, 2025, and expenditures totaling over $4 million across several funds (including General Fund, Water Fund, Sewer Fund, and Capital Project Fund). Routine approvals also covered four Certificates of Appropriateness recommended by HARB; accepting a bench donation for an Eagle Scout Project; approving the 2026 Recreation Facility Fee and Winter/Spring Recreation Program Fee Resolution; and accepting the conveyance of the Borough’s Compost Site for 1.00.UndertheRegularAgenda,Councilapprovedcontractsfortwoelevatorrepairprojects(93,474.36) and a contract for independent auditing services.
Planning and Infrastructure Updates
Several items related to planning and infrastructure were approved, including appointments to the Planning Commission (Martin Siefering) and the Pension Advisory Commission (Alvin Blitz); awarding bids for the purchase of chemicals for the Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants; and adopting a resolution authorizing signature authority for a PennDOT agreement to construct new ADA curb ramps at East High Street and Spruce Street. Furthermore, the Council approved waivers and plans for Dickinson College and a Final Land Development Plan for building expansions on Ritner Highway. The Council also adopted two resolutions to pursue renewable energy solutions by calling on the state legislature to allow Community Energy Programs and by authorizing Carlisle’s participation in the Pennsylvania Electricity Plan Collaborative.
Heated Debate Over the “Welcome Ordinance” – Citizen Statements related to the Community Trust and Local Autonomy Ordinance
The most debated topic was the consideration of enacting an ordinance intended to amend the Borough Code to uphold community trust, ensure efficient use of borough resources, and affirm Home Rule authority. A lengthy period of heated public comment followed, with citizens speaking both in favor of and against the measure, raising constitutional, fiscal, and moral arguments. Following the discussion, Council held a roll call vote, and the motion to enact the ordinance carried.
Citizen Statements not related to the Community Trust and Local Autonomy Ordinance
- Ongoing Push for PennDOT Road Paving
- Concerns Regarding Housing Instability and the Unhoused Community
- Demand for Cable/Internet Competition
- Advocacy for Community Energy Programs
Items Voted On
The most debated topic was the consideration of enacting an ordinance intended to amend the Borough Code to uphold community trust, ensure efficient use of borough resources, and affirm Home Rule authority. A lengthy period of heated public comment followed, with citizens speaking both in favor of and against the measure, raising constitutional, fiscal, and moral arguments. Following the discussion, Council held a roll call vote, and the motion to enact the ordinance carried.
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