Borough Council

BANGOR BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT 197 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, BANGOR, PA MINUTES MAY 13, 2024, 6:30 PM CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE TO FLAG ROLL CALL Members Present: James W. Kresge James Augustine Marissa Donnelly Joanna Paulson Rosemarie Capone Marc Sperling Barry G. Schweitzer Others Present: Stephen Reider, Borough Manager David J. Ceraul, Esq., Solicitor Mary Ellen DeFranco, Mayor Attorney Joseph Piperato Adrahm Dimmitt, Bangor Holdings, LLC ACTION ITEMS: 1. A MOTION to approve the minutes dated April 8, 2024 and April 22, 2024, was made by Capone, seconded by Augustine. All were in favor. MOTION carried. 2. A MOTION to approve payment of the bills totaling $313,778.11 was made by Donnelly, seconded by Sperling. All were in favor. MOTION carried. 3. Manager Reider stated that Bangor Holdings is requesting Conditional Use approval for the construction of one additional apartment on the first floor of 40 Market Street. Attorney Joseph Piperato who represents Bangor Holdings conducted the Conditional Use Hearing. Adrahm Dimmitt, representing Bangor Holdings was present to answer any questions. Fire Chief Engle gave his recommendations regarding emergency services. A MOTION was made by Donnelly, seconded by Augustine to approve the Conditional Use pending the conditions from the Bangor Borough Planning Commission: proof of available parking, available sewer capacity, and consultation of emergency services. After consultation with emergency services the applicant agreed to install a centralized alarm system and a Knox Box system. The applicant would also be required to apply for any applicable permits and follow federal/state laws. All were in favor. MOTION carried. COUNCIL COMMENTS: 1. Chief Engle gave Council an update on the recent fire department activities. 2. Chief Jones stated that calls have increased due to the additional officers conducting traffic stops. 3. Council Member Sperling commented that he had the privilege to visit the Blue Valley Rescue Squad. Sperling thanked everyone the was involved with the town wide clean-up event. 4. Council Member Augustine complimented Council Member Donnelly for organizing the town wide clean-up event and thanked everyone that volunteered.  5. Council Member Paulson thanked Chief Jones for giving her the incident comparisons for 2023 and 2024. 6. Council Member Capone mentioned this year’s Memorial Day ceremony. 7. Council Member Donnelly thanked everyone that volunteered at the town wide clean-up event. 8. Manager Reider gave Council a pool hiring update. Reider reported that Slate Belt Rising will be covering half the cost of the roof repair at the Heritage Center. Reider gave Council a grant and park update. Reider stated that Upper Mount Bethel Township is hosting a community meeting on May 23 rd at the Upper Mount Bethel Township Firehall to discuss EMS services within the Slate Belt, and they invited Council to attend. 9. Council President Kresge commented that if a council member attends the Upper Mount Bethel Township community meeting that they attend as a citizen of Bangor and not a representative of Borough Council. Kresge stated that Council Member Donnelly did an excellent job organizing the town wide clean- up event. He also thanked Council Members Sperling and Augustine for their assistance. Kresge attended the Slate Belt Heritage Center Banquet and complimented the cake baked by Sandy Schweitzer. Kresge stated that at the request of the Park Board he is organizing Bangor’s Memorial Day event. Kresge gave Council the details for the event that will be held at 10:00 a.m. on May 27th at Saint John’s Cemetery. EXECUTIVE SESSION: A MOTION to go into Executive Session at 7:18 P.M. to discuss personnel and legal matters with potential action to follow was made by Donnelly, seconded by Sperling. All were in favor. MOTION carried. Open session was re-entered at 8:28 P.M. Personnel and legal matters were discussed. A MOTION was made by Schweitzer, seconded by Capone to approve the formation of the negotiating team (Mayor DeFranco, Marissa Donnelly, James Kresge, Stephen Reider) for the upcoming police contract. Vote: 6-1, Nay-Augustine. MOTION carried. A MOTION was made by Capone, seconded by Schweitzer to approve the Washington Township Intermunicipal Boundary Change Agreement as presented. Vote: 5-2, Nay-Donnelly, Paulson. MOTION carried. ADJOURNMENT: A MOTION to adjourn was made by Donnelly, seconded by Sperling. All were in favor. MOTION carried. The Bangor Borough Council Meeting adjourned at 8:31 P.M. Respectfully Submitted, Tracy Palmer, Administrative Secretary