Union City Borough, Little League Agree to Work Through Camera and Utility Issues

UNION CITY — Union City Borough Council approved a plan to install security cameras at the city building, borough garage and Union City Little League ballfield during its Oct. 26 meeting. The discussion raised questions about communication, camera access and utility billing, but borough officials and Little League representatives agreed to meet and work through the details.

The borough purchased the ballfield property from the American Legion in 2025 and has an agreement with Union City Little League governing the organization’s use of the facilities. Little League President Chris Zielinski said the organization was surprised to learn about the proposed camera installation without prior notification from council. He asked that the motion be tabled and requested a meeting between his organization and the borough.

“We want this to be a good asset for both parties, but we feel like we’re being shut out and not included in decisions,” Zielinski told council. “Our agreement says improvements should be discussed by both parties, and we weren’t given any information about this.”

Zielinski pointed to Section 5.8 of the agreement and said the organization had a long history of working cooperatively with the previous owner, the American Legion, on improvements to the property. He questioned the need for additional cameras when Little League already has a camera system and has provided access to borough officials and police.

Little League also wanted clarification on who would be able to view the new footage and how the cameras would be powered, particularly since the organization had taken responsibility for utility bills under its arrangement with the borough.

Borough Manager Cindy Wells explained that the camera project stems from recommendations in the borough’s strategic management plan. The borough received grant funding several years ago and is near the end of the fifth and final year of the period during which it can seek funding under that plan. A new plan would be needed to pursue similar funding after the current period ends.

The grant covers 90% of the camera project, with the borough responsible for the remaining 10%. Wells said changes to the proposed project could require a new request for approval, and the borough needed to move forward while the funding remained available.

The plan calls for exterior cameras at the city building, including the front and rear of the building, nearby streets, parking areas and the entrance. Cameras at the borough garage would cover the exterior and main work areas.

At the Little League property, the cameras would cover entrances and exits, along with three interior areas of the social hall: the kitchen, main room and hallway leading toward the restrooms. The storage area would not be included. Two cameras with improved license-plate recognition would also be installed to capture vehicle information.

Wells said access would primarily be managed through the borough office, with police able to access footage when needed. She explained that the system would not be watched continuously; footage would be reviewed when an incident required it.

Council President Riley Cross emphasized that the proposal was not intended to diminish Little League’s volunteer work. He said the borough was pursuing an opportunity to obtain improved security equipment through grant funding.

Council approved the camera proposal, with the understanding that the parties could meet to discuss the details and potentially adjust placement. Representatives agreed that further discussion would help them coordinate the installation and address Little League’s concerns.

The discussion also uncovered a possible utility-billing problem.

Wells initially reported that the borough had not received reimbursement for expenses associated with the Little League property. Through Oct. 16, those expenses totaled $2,960.94 and included electricity, natural gas, AT&T air cards, camera-related costs and previous security-system work.

Little League representatives said the organization had transferred the utilities into its name as required under the agreement and was receiving and paying four separate Penelec bills each month. Treasurer Frank Snyder offered to provide copies of the statements so the borough could compare them with its own records.

“As treasurer of Little League, I can tell you the Penelec statements come directly to me,” Snyder said. “If necessary, I can provide copies as far back as you need.”

Wells said the borough was also receiving electric bills, including statements that appeared to cover overlapping months. She acknowledged that she had not realized the utility accounts had been transferred and said the discrepancy could be an error on Penelec’s part.

The parties agreed to compare the bills and meter numbers and contact Penelec to determine why invoices appeared to be going to both the borough and Little League.

During the public comment Zielinski also noted that the ballfield continues to serve as a draw for the community. This year, the facility hosted three tournaments involving 105 teams, including the Pennsylvania state tournament for major girls.