Times Observer Photo by Josh Cotton Lydia Balas was sworn in by Mayor Dave Wortman as Warren City Council’s junior council member during Monday night’s meeting.

Warren City Council has a new junior council member.

Lydia Balas was sworn in to the post for the 2022-2023 school year during Monday night’s meeting.

“This program has a pretty colorful past,” Mayor Dave Wortman said. “(We are) very happy to bring it back to the Warren City Council.”

He explained that Balas’ selection follows an application and interview process. The program is open to high school juniors and seniors at Warren Area High School that are also residents of the city.

“(I’m) really excited to have you aboard,” Wortman said, calling the position a “very exciting opportunity.”

He stressed that the aim of the program is to include the input of “Lydia and her peers” as part of city deliberations.

“We look forward to her input as part of the council proceedings,” he added.

Balas wasn’t the only young person to participate in the meeting, though.

Sebastian Lawson raised an issue before city council, as well.

Lawson was in uniform as a member of Troop 13.

Attending and reporting on a public meeting is one of the requirements for the communications merit badge.

He told council that the painted lines on the roadway are fading at the intersection of Pennsylvania Ave. and Market St.

Without overhead signs, Lawson said “out of town people don’t know what way to go.”

He presented a series of pictures to Mayor Wortman as supporting evidence.

“(We’re) going to have some additional work done at that intersection,” Wortman said, presumably referencing the roundabout project.

As for the line painting?

“That’s a very good recommendation,” Wortman said.