Borough Council

BANGOR BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT 197 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, BANGOR, PA MINUTES June 12, 2017 7:00PM CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE TO FLAG ROLL CALL Members Present: Michael J. Bilotta James W. Kresge Robert J. Rhodes, Jr. Barry G. Schweitzer Robert W. Engle Jane E. Gorman Others Present: Joseph H. Capozzolo, Mayor Nathaniel J. Dysard, Borough Manager David J. Ceraul, Esq., Solicitor Absent: Bonnie J. LaBar Robert Goffredo, Sr. Sascha Gutierrez, Junior Council Member Brian Gembarski, Junior Council Member PUBLIC COMMENT 1. April Fisher (410 S. 7th Street) was present to get an update on the 7th Street lighting issue. This topic will be discussed under action items. 2. Leila Ross (129 Messinger Street) voiced her concern about the overgrown grass at 137 Messinger Street. Manager Dysard stated that he will follow up about enforcement. 3. Pete Heard of North Fifth Street wanted to share with Council the parking incident that happened to him on June 3rd after the Heritage Center meeting. He received a parking ticket for parking in a vacant spot at the police department. He placed a piece of paper with the handwritten words “crutch and cane dependent” on the dashboard of the vehicle. Police Chief Felchock stated that he parked in a space that was displayed “employee only parking” and that is why he was cited. The handwritten note was not valid and if he was handicapped he would need to obtain a handicap placard. Council President Kresge recommended that we look into the possibility of installing a handicap parking space at the Heritage Center. ACTION ITEMS 1. Strawn Electric submitted an estimate for the 7th Street lighting repair work in the amount of $11,320.00. Since this amount is above the bidding threshold, proposals will need to be received from two other contractors. A MOTION was made by Rhodes, seconded by Engle to authorize Manager Dysard to request two more estimates and draft a letter to RCN concerning one of the lights. All were in favor, MOTION carried.  2. Manager Dysard stated that the current phone system at the borough is outdated and this has become an issue with transferring calls, limitations on auto attendants and no flexibility of phones for disaster recovery. Dysard is proposing to switch over to VOIP, which is an internet based system. This system would better integrate the police and administration offices and provide better features. This solution is cost neutral because the Borough currently has a contract with Frontier and they will renew the lease/contract for the system at no additional costs above our current expected expenses. A MOTION was made by Bilotta, seconded by Engle to authorize the proposal with Frontier. All were in favor, MOTION carried. 3. At the May Authority Board meeting action was taken to approve the sale of the former Authority office building. A MOTION was made by Engle, seconded by Rhodes to adopt the Authority’s action to advertise the building for sale. All were in favor, MOTION carried. 4. Manager Dysard updated Council on the downtown improvement projects (street lights, banners, street trees, fencing, new planters, facade program through SlateBelt Rising is underway) and street paving. Schweitzer commented about the work being done on North Fifth Street. Manager Dysard said he is monitoring the situation and he will make sure that PAWC properly secures the road. OTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS 1. Janet Miller wanted to make Council aware of the students from the university of Pennsylvania that did research of all the quarries in PA. To get their diploma they had to come up with an idea to address the quarry. 2. Leila Ross asked for an update on the Messinger Street Culvert Project. Manager Dysard is having a meeting with PennVest to discuss the funding options. COUNCIL COMMENTS 1. Council Member Gorman stated that they had their park board meeting and the event information is in the kiosks, The Belt & Beyond and Facebook. Gorman asked for volunteers. 2. Mayor Capozzolo reported that he did contact Senator Scavello’s office concerning the $58,000 engineering reimbursement for the Messinger Street Culvert project discussed at the last meeting but he has been in Harrisburg due to budget season. He did talk to his Chief of Staff and he feels that the borough might be eligible for funding to cover a portion of the $58,000. He acknowledged Janet Miller and Bangor Middle School on the town clean-up. Capozzolo suggested having a ribbon cutting ceremony when the viaduct bridge is complete. He thanked Donald Jones for organizing the Memorial Day ceremony and asked Council to consider having it in held in Bangor next year. There were issues with the parade because of there not being enough barricade guards and a lack of volunteers. 3. Manager Dysard stated that a part-time Public Works employee was hired along with summer help. The pool has been very busy and a lot of season passes have been issued. 4. Council President Kresge asked for an update on the hoist. Dysard responded that the hoist will be painted, the lumber is being milled and the pavilion should be built in September. Kresge congratulated Jaiden Capozzolo on graduating this year and she was editor and chief of the Slater Newspaper. Over a year ago Janet Miller mentioned the issue of complaints of trains coming through Bangor. Kresge contacted Norfolk Southern and the Federal Railroad Administration. Rail speed is regulated by the government and is regulated by class. Every section of rail is listed as a class. The class is dependent on curves and grade. Based on that class is how fast your speed can go. Bangor is a class 5 so the trains can go up to 60 miles an hour through town. ADJOURNMENT A MOTION to adjourn was made by Rhodes, seconded by Engle. All were in favor. MOTION carried. The Bangor Borough Council Meeting adjourned at 8:38 P.M. Respectfully Submitted, Tracy Palmer, Administrative Secretary