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HARVEYS LAKE — Borough councilman Thomas Kehler took his seat at council’s regular meeting this week despite pending DUI charges.

The DUI case did not come up during the meeting.

But afterward, council President Bill Hilburt said he could not speculate if the charges would affect Kehler’s position as council vice president.

“I think he has a hearing coming up so I cannot comment on that,” Hilburt said.

Kehler was arrested April 2 after police say his white Cadillac hit curbside garbage cans and yard decorations on Spring Street before driving away up Dudley Avenue.

An officer went to Kehler’s girlfriend’s house on Old Lake Road, and noticed a Cadillac with damage to its front left side.

Officers knocked on the home’s door, and Kehler emerged smelling of alcohol, a complaint states.

Later, when police were questioning him, Kehler reportedly told them: “I’m a Harveys Lake council member. That’s kinda cool, huh?”

Kehler, 52, tested with a blood-alcohol content of .186 percent, records show. The driving limit is .08.

He faces a hearing May 18.

In other news:

• Council member Michell’e Boice said the borough received an $81,000 gaming grant, which will be used to purchase a new dump truck and plow.

“We got almost enough to buy a new dump truck,” Boice said. “We need council to add $3,600 to cover the cost of the new dump truck and plow.”

Boice’s motion was approved unanimously.

• Council also approved a motion to apply for a state Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program grant for $135,808.

“I would like to note this is a matching funds grant,” Boice said. The borough would have to put 15 percent toward the total grant, which would come to about $20,000.

Boice said if the borough is awarded the funds, the area in front of the new Harveys Lake Borough Police station on Route 415 would be landscaped to create a “gateway” into the lake community.

Council members Boice, Hilburt, Kehler and Carole Samson voted to apply for grant. Council member Daniel F. Blaine voted against it.

Council members Wayde Post and Ed Kelly were not in attendance.

• Members appointed Allen Guiney as a part-time police officer with a contracted pay rate of $18.50 per hour effective immediately.

Currently, Harveys Lake employs two full-time officers and five part-timers, Borough Secretary Susan Sutton said.

• Tim Connolly, a local engineer, was appointed to replace Robin Jones on the planning commission. Jones stepped down due to health issues, Hilburt said.

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By Eileen Godin

[email protected]

Reach Eileen Godin at 570-991-6387 or on Twitter @TLNews.