URGENT UPDATE: Schuylkill Haven has officially ushered in a new leadership team as John Williams was sworn in as mayor during a pivotal meeting on January 5, 2026. This marks a significant transition in borough governance that residents need to know about immediately.
During the meeting, longtime councilman Tom Gordon was confirmed as council president, succeeding Jim Bowman, who vacated the position after moving out of town. D. Edward Dress takes on the role of vice president, solidifying a leadership team familiar to the community.
The swearing-in ceremony also included key appointments to the fire department board of trustees, with Fire Chief Keith Sweigert, Deputy Chief Trent Zulick, and Assistant Chief Tyler Donatti taking their oaths of office. Their leadership is expected to strengthen the borough’s emergency response capabilities.
In another notable change, two new council members, Jesse Kavanaugh and Bill Luckenbill, were sworn in, although the council postponed filling additional vacancies until the next meeting scheduled for January 21.
Residents should be aware of the recent ordinances passed, which include an urgent 7% increase in electric rates and a rise in refuse fees to $29 per month. These changes will inevitably impact household budgets and warrant community discussion.
Furthermore, the council reappointed critical personnel to maintain borough operations: Kaitlyn Tinari as borough secretary, Ashley Bieski as treasurer, Jessica Seiders as administrator, Michael Paulin as zoning and code officer, and Mark Semanchick as solicitor. Entech Engineering will continue to serve as the water/sewer engineer, while Utility Engineers will oversee electric engineering. The borough will also maintain its banking relationship with First Citizens Community Bank.
These leadership changes and financial adjustments mark a new chapter for Schuylkill Haven as it prepares for the challenges of 2026. Stakeholders in the community are encouraged to stay informed and actively participate in the upcoming council meetings to voice their concerns and feedback.
As Schuylkill Haven transitions into this new governance era, the impact of these decisions will be felt across the borough. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
