Borough Council

BANGOR BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT 197 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, BANGOR, PA MINUTES AUGUST 14, 2023 - 6:30 PM CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE TO FLAG ROLL CALL Members Present: James W. Kresge James Augustine Rosemarie Capone Barry G. Schweitzer Joanna Paulson Robert Goffredo, Sr. Others Present: Stephen M. Reider, Borough Manager David J. Ceraul, Esq., Solicitor Mary Ellen DeFranco, Mayor Absent: Marissa Donnelly PUBLIC COMMENTS: 1. Janet Miller was present to discuss Bangor’s 150th Anniversary with Council. Mayor DeFranco volunteered to sit at the table assigned to the Heritage Center at the farm show where people can sign-up to volunteer to be on a committee for Bangor’s 150th Anniversary. Mayor DeFranco has discussed having a committee of volunteers for Borough special events previously with Manager Reider. 2. Grace Gardella was present from 131 A Street to continue her discussion with Council from last meeting regarding the driveway access for the new construction on A Street. 3. Jeff Hardick was present from 326 Messinger Street to thank the Borough and Public Works for the work that was done after the flood on July 16th. ACTION ITEMS: 1. A MOTION to approve the minutes dated July 24, 2023, was made by Capone, seconded by Goffredo. All were in favor. MOTION carried. 2. Manager Reider stated that an application for a disable parking sign was received for 512 South Main Street. The application was reviewed and satisfies all the requirements for the sign to be installed. A MOTION was made by Augustine, seconded by Capone to approve the disabled parking sign application. All were in favor. MOTION carried. 3. A MOTION was made by Capone, seconded by Augustine to approve with regret the resignation of MaKayla Adams from the Park Board. All were in favor. MOTION carried. 4. A MOTION was made by Capone, seconded by Augustine to approve with regret the resignation of Jeffrey Paulson, from his seats on the Civil Service Commission and Park Board. All were in favor. MOTION carried. 5. Manager Reider reviewed the 2022 Borough Audit with Council and answered questions. Council Member Paulson questioned page 2 of the audit addressing a significant risk that was identified. Manager Reider clarified this for Council Member Paulson and will discuss with the auditors. A MOTION was made by Goffredo, seconded by Augustine to approve the 2022 Borough Audit. Vote: 5-1,Paulson-Abstained, MOTION carried.  6. Manager Reider stated that at previous meetings the abolishment of the per capita tax was discussed due to the difficulty of the tax collector tracking residents moving in and out of the Borough. Brenda Valletta explained the process of collecting the per capita tax, what the per capita tax is, what is charged for the per capita tax, and what the Borough collects with Council. Manager Reider, Brenda Valletta, Solicitor Ceraul and Council discussed options of the per capita tax collection. Manager Reider will do a comparison analysis and report that information back to Council. EXECUTIVE SESSION: A MOTION to go into Executive Session at 7:13 P.M. to discuss legal matters with potential action to follow was made by Capone, seconded by Goffredo. All were in favor. MOTION carried. Open session was re-entered at 7:57 P.M. Legal matters and police personnel were discussed. No action was taken. COUNCIL COMMENTS: 1. Officer Sabatine was present to read Chief Jones’s report updating Council on the police department’s current activities. 2. Mayor DeFranco commented that the East Penn Raiders Football has started at the park. 3. On behalf of the Big Time Committee, Security Council and Father Kravatz, Council Member Goffredo thanked Manager Reider, Public Works and Bangor Police for all their assistance during the Big Time Event. 4. Council Member Capone updated Council on the Park Board Events. 5. Manager Reider stated that he will have the budget timeline for adoption at the next meeting. Reider updated Council on the recent issues regarding the pool. Reider has been in contact with the Elk’s regarding the Halloween Parade. The Elks will help with staging but will not be hosting the parade downtown again this year. Council discussed having the parade at the park and Mayor DeFranco will try to get volunteers while she is at the farm show. Manage Reider updated Council on the meetings held with Representative Ann Flood and Senator Lisa Boscola regarding the Messinger Street flood on July 16th. 6. Council President Kresge thanked the Park and Council members that have been doing wonderful things around town. Kresge commented on the beautiful mural that is being done on the building located at 29 South Main Street. 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 8:26 P.M. Respectfully Submitted, Tracy Palmer, Secretary