Chad Repko, who currently serves on the borough Planning, Shade Tree Commission and Blight Committee, was unanimously approved as interim mayor to serve the remainder of Dodson’s term when his resignation takes effect on Sept. 1.

Repko won a three-way Republican primary race against Dodson and longtime borough resident Jimmy Carson in May and is seemingly on a cruise course to the November general election.

The Blair County Democratic Party did not field a candidate in the primary election and appears unlikely to meaningfully challenge Repko in November.

Dodson said it was a privilege to serve the residents of Hollidaysburg, both during his 16-year mayoral tenure and his eight years as a Borough Council member.

Repko

Borough Police Chief Christopher Storm thanked Dodson for his unwavering support of his department, calling the departing mayor a “great boss and a good friend.”

The tributes to Dodson poured in from all seven members of the council, a handful of other officials in attendance and a number of residents after the meeting, who unanimously applauded Dodson’s dedication to public service and bettering the borough.

Dodson said that he made the decision to retire after a recent medical emergency involving his wife Lucinda, prompting the couple to move to a different residence outside of Hollidaysburg.

“It’s time,” he said.

Some of Dodson’s proudest achievements from his time as mayor include more than $700,000 raised for the borough, more than $100,000 raised for Hollidaysburg Area Public Library and his advocacy for local parks, he said.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, Repko spoke on behalf of his nomination as interim mayor, first thanking Dodson for his service to the borough, then saying that he is ready and able to step into the position immediately.

“We need to be very mindful, the public voted, every ward came out … we need to be very careful, not doing anything that can be perceived as undermining the public’s say,” Repko said.

Council member Walter Kalista also advanced his name as a potential option for interim mayor.

The subsequent vote to appoint Repko to serve the remainder of Dodson’s term was unanimous.

“I’m very excited, ready to take it on and ready to hit the ground running,” Repko said.

Gaysport update

In other business, Borough Manager Ethan Imhoff said that he has a meeting planned with Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection officials on Aug. 19 to discuss alternative options to proceed with the long-sought Gaysport Stormwater Mitigation Project without a phase II report to the state historic preservation office.

Earlier this year, Native American artifacts were discovered on the site, prompting an initial phase I study of the site.

Recent discoveries could require an expanded phase II study before work can proceed, which would delay the overall project timeline.

Imhoff said he was unsure how the meeting would unfold and what alternative remedies could be found for the current situation.

In other stormwater news, Imhoff announced that the borough will submit a project funding application for the PennDOT Transportation Alternatives program in hopes of financing the East End Stormwater Mitigation Project.

Mirror Staff Writer Conner Goetz is at 814-946-7535.