DUBOIS: The newly consolidated City of DuBois will officially begin operations on Monday, January 5, completing a multi-year effort to unite the former City of DuBois and Sandy Township under a single municipal government.
A swearing-in ceremony for the city’s newly elected officials and police officers will be held at 1:PM at the Reitz Theater of CRI. The ceremony will be followed by a ribbon cutting and public reception at the newly renovated municipal building on West Scribner Avenue.
The events mark the formal launch of governance for the unified city, which officials say is intended to streamline services, improve operational efficiency, and strengthen long-term financial stability.
The inauguration ceremony will include the official swearing-in of the newly elected mayor and members of DuBois City Council, along with City of DuBois police officers who will serve the consolidated municipality. The event represents the first official day of service for the unified city government.
Voters in the former City of DuBois and Sandy Township made history in November by electing the first governing body of the consolidated city.
Elected to serve on DuBois City Council, listed in order of total votes received, are Shirley M. Dahrouge (2,978 votes), Samuel J. Mollica III (2,740), Mark T. Sullivan (2,702), J. Barry Abbott Sr. (2,482), William A. Beers Jr. (2,461), Richard A. Whitaker (2,448), and Michael J. Piccirillo (2,333).
The five candidates receiving the highest vote totals will serve four-year terms, while the remaining two council members will serve two-year terms. The council will appoint a mayor from among its seven members.
At 2:PM, a ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at the municipal building located at 16 West Scribner Avenue. The event will recognize funding and support provided through Governor Josh Shapiro’s administration toward renovations of the building. A brief public reception will follow.
City officials have described the consolidation as more than a change in governance, calling it a milestone built on decades of shared history and cooperation between the two communities.
The merger brings together neighboring municipalities that have long shared school districts, emergency services, and economic ties, while establishing a single governmental structure designed to better position the community for future growth.
BACKGROUND
The consolidation of the former City of DuBois and Sandy Township followed years of study, public discussion, and formal review under Pennsylvania’s municipal consolidation process. Local officials examined financial data, service delivery models, and governance structures before advancing the proposal to voters.
Residents of both municipalities approved the consolidation in a referendum during the November 2, 2021, election. DuBois City residents passed the measure by a wide margin, with 1,228 votes in favor and 536 against. Sandy Township residents narrowly approved the consolidation, with 1,574 votes in favor and 1,541 against, a margin of just 33 votes. The referendum marked the fourth attempt to consolidate the two municipalities, following unsuccessful efforts in 1989, 1995, and 2002.
Transition work since the vote has included the election of a new city council, coordination of municipal departments, and preparation of facilities to house the consolidated government.
With the January 5 ceremonies, the consolidation officially takes effect, establishing one municipal government to serve residents of the combined communities. Officials said the new City of DuBois reflects a shared vision for cooperation, efficiency, and long-term prosperity, and they encouraged the public to attend the events marking the historic transition.
