Summit Hill Borough Council held a special meeting on Monday and hired a part-time secretary.

Jillian Watto, a Summit Hill resident, was hired by a 6-0 vote. Councilman Billy O’Gurek was absent.

Watto was chosen from a slate of four candidates.

She succeeds Mary Ann Eickhoff, who has held the position for four years. Eickhoff announced her retirement in March to be effective May 30, but told council she would be available to help if needed.

In other business, council member David Wargo proposed a policy that would allow reports approved by the council to be given to the news media. These include police and zoning officer reports with aggregate figures but without specific names.

Last month, the council - on the advice of its solicitor, attorney Robert Frycklund - decided to withhold all such reports from the media.

Wargo pointed out the reports have been made available to the media for many years.

The proposal Wargo presented to council will have to be reviewed by Frycklund, council said, and then approved by the council.

Wargo said he based his proposal on what he read from the Office of Open Records Guidelines.

He said, “The benefit to give out some information is to facilitate ease of discussion.”

He suggested that the news media “register” with the borough before meetings to obtain reports.

“There’s no reason not to be transparent with the public as well,” he said. “We need to be transparent, but I’m not in a position to put us in trouble legally.”

Following the council meeting, Wargo chaired a meeting of the borough’s Economic Development Committee.

He presented a draft of a peddling and soliciting ordinance that would establish policies for individuals or firms selling merchandise in the borough, either by going door-to-door or selling it via stands or vehicles.

It also applies to yard sales and garage sales.

The previous ordinance was last updated in 1977, he said.

Wargo said he hopes to have the proposed ordinance discussed at the June or July council meeting.

Council member Karen Ruzicka expressed concern about the declining business district. She said council should “promote business and not turn businesses into apartments. If we as a borough allow that to happen, we will lose our business district.”

Council member Joseph Weber shared the concern but added that “long-term vacancy isn’t a solution, either.”

Wargo said on Ludlow Street, there is “potential for at least 10 to 12 buildings which could open as businesses.”