Borough Council

BANGOR BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT 197 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, BANGOR, PA MINUTES FEBRUARY 28, 2022, 7:03PM CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE TO FLAG ROLL CALL Members Present: James W. Kresge Robert Goffredo, Sr. Barry G. Schweitzer James Augustine Marissa Donnelly Joanna Paulson Rosemarie Capone Others Present: David J. Ceraul, Esq., Solicitor Mary Ellen DeFranco, Mayor Tracy Palmer, Secretary PUBLIC COMMENTS 1. Albert Ward was present from 221 Miller Street to discuss the alley on the side of his property. Mr. Ward has maintained the alley and would like to purchase it. Solicitor Ceraul stated that he could petition to Council to vacate the alley and he outlined the process to Mr. Ward. 2. Forrest Meyers was present from 649 Snyder Street to discuss with Council his concerns/ideas to improve the downtown. Mr. Meyers will make a list of properties and discuss them with the borough’s Code Enforcement Officer. ACTION ITEMS 1. A MOTION to approve the minutes dated February 14, 2022, was made by Capone, seconded by Donnelly. All were in favor. MOTION carried. 2. A MOTION to approve payment of the bills totaling $334,682.61 to be paid was made by Goffredo, seconded by Augustine. All were in favor. MOTION carried. 3. Ahren Wedge from Public Works was present to discuss and answer questions from Council regarding the proposed pool expenditures. Council President Kresge stated these expenditures are part of the Northampton County Grow Grant. A MOTION was made by Goffredo, seconded by Capone to authorize the Council President, Ahren Wedge, and the incoming Borough Manager to do what is legally required within the grant to proceed with the pool façade improvements, waterslide, slide tower and mushroom reconditioning, not to exceed the grant budget of $30,000. All were in favor. MOTION carried. Mayor DeFranco questioned the borough’s liability insurance premium for the waterslide. Council President Kresge will research this and report back to Council. 4. A MOTION was made by Donnelly, seconded by Schweitzer to approve the police wish fund expenditure in the amount of approximately $2,500 for the transaction of firearms. All were in favor. MOTION carried. 5. A MOTION was made by Capone, seconded by Schweitzer to amend the agenda to include zoning services. All were in favor. MOTION carried. A MOTION was made by Augustine, seconded by Capone to appoint Barry Isett & Associates as an alternate zoning service provider for the borough. All were in favor. MOTION carried. COUNCIL COMMENTS 1. Council Member Paulson questioned if the “JoJo” building at the park could be used for the community. Council Member Capone stated that this is used by the park board as storage for their borough events. Ahren Wedge stated that the building needs repairs. Council Member Paulson said she will look for interested parties that would want to rent it out. 2. Council Member Capone stated that the Mission of Love Food Bank is having a groundbreaking ceremony at their new storage facility. 3. Council Member Goffredo thanked Council President Kresge for all his work in keeping the borough moving forward during the transition of the new Borough Manager. Kresge thanked the borough staff for everyone working together. 4. Solicitor Ceraul also complimented Council President Kresge and is looking forward to working with the new Borough Manager. Ceraul stated that Jeff Off will be hosting a Zoom meeting regarding the Ridge Road property with representatives from Washington Township and the Authority. 5. Council President Kresge complimented Public Works for their efforts during the recent snow event and thanked resident Alan Bilsky for his help plowing while Public Works is short staffed. ADJOURNMENT A MOTION to adjourn was made by Capone, seconded by Goffredo. All were in favor. MOTION carried. The Bangor Borough Council Meeting adjourned at 7:57 P.M. Respectfully Submitted, Tracy Palmer, Administrative Secretary