A Vandergrift resident is volunteering her services in an effort to increase public participation during monthly borough council meetings.

Melissa Milanak, 50, is a business and technology teacher at River Valley High School, formerly the Blairsville-Saltsburg School District.

She said she realized the benefits of virtual meetings when they became a staple while teaching during the covid-19 lockdown.

“I realized how convenient it was to reach a large group of people using minimal technological resources,” Milanak said.

Vandergrift resident and current council candidate Marilee Kessler presented a letter of interest to council in July on Milanak’s behalf, offering her volunteer services.

“I believe there is a need for both virtual and in-person council meetings, and having the option of virtual attendance is an important public service,” Kessler said.

In July, council unanimously approved Milanak’s offer to volunteer.

Councilman John Uskuraitis had previously handled the broadcasting of virtual meetings since May 2020. But he thinks having someone unaffiliated with council handling the livestream is a good idea.

Uskuraitis came under scrutiny by some residents in April when the audio function on a Zoom broadcast was muted for several minutes after council meeting conversations became heated.

Uskuraitis said the muting was accidental. He said when he realized the meeting was muted, he corrected the problem. He didn’t offer any explanation afterward to the public.

The meeting in question had about 40 people participating via Zoom.

“I’m grateful that someone stepped up,” Uskuraitis said. “It’s more beneficial if someone neutral and not affiliated with council handles things.”

Currently, only people attending council meetings in person are allowed to speak for up to three minutes during the visitors portion of the meeting.

Milanak’s first virtual volunteering gig was during the August meeting. It was presented via Zoom in an audio format.

She said the next meeting, on Tuesday, Sept. 7, will have both picture and sound.

“So many people have very busy lives and it can be very difficult to attend the monthly council meetings in person. Why not give people another avenue in which they can be informed citizens?” said Milanak, who earned a master of technology and business degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Councilwoman Karen McClarnon said Milanak’s volunteer efforts deserve praise.

“Milanak is a gift to our community,” McClarnon said. “She’s volunteering and deserves much credit”