Borough Council

BANGOR BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT 197 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, BANGOR, PA MINUTES FEBRUARY 24, 2025 - 6:30 PM CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE TO FLAG ROLL CALL Members Present: Marissa Donnelly Marc Sperling Joanna Paulson James Augustine Barry Schweitzer James W. Kresge Rosemarie Capone – via phone Others Present: Stephen Reider, Borough Manager David J. Ceraul, Esq., Solicitor Mary Ellen DeFranco, Mayor PUBLIC COMMENTS: 1. Leila Ross was present from 129 Messinger Street to ask why business owners are not required to shovel around the parking meters. Manager Reider will look into this. 2. David Carhart was present from 139 Market Street to voice his concerns regarding recent news stories. ACTION ITEMS: 1. A MOTION to approve payment of the bills totaling $384,083.52 was made by Donnelly, seconded by Sperling. All were in favor. MOTION carried. 2. A MOTION was made by Schweitzer, seconded by Augustine to appoint Jessica Shiner to the Civil Service Commission as an Alternate Member. All were in favor. MOTION carried. 3. Manager Reider and Council continued their discussion from last meeting regarding Ordinance #1006. A MOTION was made by Schweitzer, seconded by Donnelly to amend the agenda to include a minor motion on Ordinance #1006. All were in favor. MOTION carried. A MOTION was made by Schweitzer, seconded by Sperling to forgo enforcement of Section 4A, #4. All were in favor. MOTION carried. 4. Manager Reider stated that the Bangor 150 Committee is planning a community picnic for the final day of the weeklong celebration on June 14th. It was recommended by Council Member Sperling that Council discuss potentially offering free swimming day to Bangor residents and extended pool hours. Council started this discussion. COUNCIL COMMENTS: 1. Chief Jones updated Council on the hiring process of the new full-time police officers. 2. Council Member Sperling talked to local business owners, and they are looking forward to the borough’s summer activities. 3. Council Member Paulson has used Borked PC for her computer support and recommends them.  4. Manager Reider gave Council a pool staff update. Reider will be attending a summer job fair at Bangor High School on May 1st. The Park Board is discussing bringing back a summer recreation program and Reider has been advertising for summer recreation counselors. Reider stated that there is a road salt shortage. 5. Council President Kresge mentioned Slate Belt Restaurant Week that runs from March 3-9. Kresge thanked Chief Jones for pushing the Civil Service with the new police officer hiring process. Kresge appreciates Public Works for the job they have done in the borough with the recent winter storms. Kresge mentioned the article on Lehigh Valley Live regarding the Solicitor for the Bangor Borough Authority, which will be addressed at the next Authority meeting. EXECUTIVE SESSION: A MOTION to go into Executive Session at 7:04 P.M. to discuss personnel matters with potential action to follow was made by Donnelly, seconded by Augustine. All were in favor. MOTION carried. Open session was re-entered at 7:23 P.M. Personnel matters were discussed, and no action was taken. 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 7:25 P.M. Respectfully Submitted, Tracy Palmer, Administrative Secretary