Borough Council

BANGOR BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT 197 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, BANGOR, PA MINUTES JUNE 10, 2024, 6:30 PM CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE TO FLAG ROLL CALL Members Present: James W. Kresge Marissa Donnelly Joanna Paulson Rosemarie Capone Marc Sperling Barry Schweitzer Others Present: Stephen Reider, Borough Manager David J. Ceraul, Esq., Solicitor Mary Ellen DeFranco, Mayor Jeffrey Ott – Ott Consulting, Inc. Bernadette Kearney – HRMM&L Absent: James Augustine PUBLIC COMMENTS: 1. Joe Kessler was present to discuss having the Bangor Elks Duck Race in Bangor. Mr. Kessler asked Council to consider changing the No Parking Sign on Northampton Street to No Parking on Corner. This would allow his tenants at 47-49 E. High Street to park at that corner. Manager Reider will discuss with Public Works and Chief Jones and report back to Council. 2. Mayor DeFranco voiced her opinions/concerns regarding the Slate Belt Veterans Association Housing Project. 3. David Carhart and Sandy Antunes voiced their support for the Slate Belt Veterans Association Housing Project. ACTION ITEMS: 1. A MOTION to approve the minutes dated May 13, 2024, was made by Sperling, seconded by Donnelly. All were in favor. MOTION carried. 2. Council President Kresge read the Civil Air Patrol Resolution, honoring Civil Air Patrol Squadron 807. President Kresge thanked them for their participation in this year’s Bangor Borough Memorial Day Ceremony. A MOTION was made by Capone, seconded by Donnelly to approve the Civil Air Patrol Resolution. All were in favor. MOTION carried. 3. Manager Reider stated that Chief Jones is requesting to close the Murray Street Courtyard during borough events and reopen after events due to disorderly behavior in the alley. Manager Reider, and Chief Jones will discuss options/plans and report back to Council. 4. Manager Reider and Council discussed the proposals from Keystone Collections regarding the collection of the Per Capita Tax for the borough. Brenda Valletta was present to voice her opinion and answer any questions. A MOTION was made by Sperling, seconded by Donnelly to have the Borough Manager and Solicitor take the appropriate steps to abolish the Per Capita Tax as of 2025. All were in favor. MOTION carried.  5. Manager Reider stated that an application for a disabled parking sign was received for 44 Kline Street. Manager Reider commented that there is off street parking located at the back of the property but there are steps, and that section of Kline Street is one-way. Manager Reider and Council discussed the application request. A MOTION to table this request for the next Council meeting was made by Capone, seconded by Donnelly. All were in favor. MOTION carried. 6. Manager Reider and Council discussed the SALDO application for Slate Belt Veterans Association, Inc. (428 Market Street). Slate Belt Veterans Association has requested review and preliminary/final approval for a plan of land development for the Patriot Square Housing Project located at 428 Market Street. The plan was reviewed and recommended for conditional preliminary/final approval by the Bangor Borough Planning Commission at its regular meeting on May 14, 2024. Council President Kresge read the Resolution and Council had a discussion. A MOTION was made by Donnelly, seconded by Sperling to have the Alternate Solicitor revise the Resolution to include the Council recommendations discussed at this meeting. All were in favor. MOTION carried. COUNCIL COMMENTS: 1. Chief Engle gave Council an update on the recent fire department activities. 2. Mayor DeFranco thanked the Fire Department, Manager Reider and volunteers for their help with the Bark at the Park Event. 3. Council Member Sperling stated that he attended the EMS meeting in Mt. Bethel. 4. Council Member Paulson thanked Mayor DeFranco and her daughter for the Bark at the Park Event. Paulson also thanked Mayor DeFranco for her monetary donation for the event. 5. Council Member Schweitzer gave Council an Authority update. 6. Council Member Capone stated that Movie Night at the Park was rescheduled for 6/14 due to wind. 7. Council Member Sperling commended Council President Kresge for Bangor Borough’s Memorial Day Service. 8. Solicitor Ceraul and Council President Kresge thanked Solicitor Kearney for her expertise and assistance in a difficult situation. 9. Manager Reider stated that HBO will be filming at the quarry on 6/14 and 6/15. Reider gave Council a grant and pool staff update. EXECUTIVE SESSION: A MOTION to go into Executive Session at 8:33 P.M. to discuss a personnel matter with no action to follow was made by Donnelly, seconded by Capone. All were in favor. MOTION carried. Respectfully Submitted, Tracy Palmer, Administrative Secretary