City Council

The Regular Monthly Meeting of Dupont Borough Council was called to order at 7:02pm on Tuesday evening, July 12, 2022 by President of Council Stanley Knick. Pledge of Allegiance Roll Call: Mr. Knick, Present Mr. Kowalczyk, Present Mr. Karkut, Present Mr. Price, Present Mr. Jones, Present Mayor Lello, Present At this time, Mr. Knick called for a short executive session for legal and personnel matters. MOTION TO ADOPT THE MINUTES OF THE JUNE 14, 2022 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING AND PLACE ON FILE. Motion: Mr. Kowalczyk Second: Mr. Karkut Roll Call Vote: Mr. Knick, yes; Mr. Kowalczyk, yes; Mr. Karkut, yes; Mr. Price, yes; Mr. Jones, yes. Motion Carried 5/0. MOTION TO ACCEPT THE CORRESPONDENCE PRESENTED. Motion: Mr. Jones Second: Mr. Kowalczyk Roll Call Vote: Mr. Knick, yes; Mr. Kowalczyk, yes; Mr. Karkut, yes; Mr. Price, yes; Mr. Jones, yes. Motion Carried 5/0. MOTION TO APPROVE THE BILLS FOR PAYMENT. Motion: Mr. Kowalczyk Second: Mr. Jones Roll Call Vote: Mr. Knick, yes; Mr. Kowalczyk, yes; Mr. Karkut, yes; Mr. Price, yes; Mr. Jones, yes. Motion Carried 5/0. MOTION TO APPOINT THE PART TIME POLICE OFFICERS FROM JULY 12, 2022 TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING OF COUNCIL WITH NO GUARANTEE OF WORK: Duane Saunders, Jennifer Polemitis, Christopher Fargione, Robert Avvisato, Michael Sniscak, Robert Bartolemei and Angelika Matuszelanski. Motion: Mr. Price Second: Mr. Kowalczyk Roll Call Vote: Mr. Knick, yes; Mr. Kowalczyk, yes; Mr. Karkut, yes; Mr. Price, yes; Mr. Jones, yes. Motion Carried 5/0. REPORTS: Treasurer’s Report: General Fund - $ 183,880.39 Payroll Fund - $7,039.26 ARPA Fund - $ 120,019.15 (the second payment of $140,000 is being distributed the week of July 18 th. Admin 4249 Debit Card - $ 73.63 Police 2121 Debit Card – $166.19 Community Development Fund - $63.18 Refuse Fund - $ 114,486.11 Sewer Maintenance Fund - $352,788.60 Liquid Fuels Fund - $210,876.88 Police Pension Fund - $ 984,346.68 Town Clock - $87.19 Special Fund - $178,553.45 Tax Collector’s Report: Submitted by Susan Gregory, Tax Collector Balance Collectable Beginning of Month - $31,630.75 Face Collections for Month - $11,516.88 Balance Collectable End of Month - $20,113.87 Penalties - $24.29 Check deposited in General Fund - $ 11,541.17 Mayor’s Report - None Police Report: Criminal Arrests-1; Traffic Citations Issued-51; Appearances in County Court-1; Appearances in Magisterial Court-25; Motor Vehicle Accidents-12; Assist to EMS/Fire-10; Assist to other Police Dept.-12; Alarms-5; Burglaries-1; Thefts-1; Disorderly Conduct-4; PFA Violations-2; Domestic Reports-7; Suspicious Activity-5; Miscellaneous Calls-35; Building Checks-88; Mileage: F150-37,766; Explorer#2 – 5,013; Explorer #3 -3,599. Magistrate Fines Collected - $ 1,687.45. Solicitor’s Report: None. Engineer’s Report: Bob Naegele updated on the following: (1) Last month his office worked on several grants including LSA for Statewide Application for Recreation Complex behind Highrise; MultiModal Grant for Culvert on Walnut; (2) Army Corps of Engineers was in town for the annual creek inspection. They are excited about the project for the concrete repairs. (3) Met with residents with regard to the easement for the Growing Greener Grant. There is one other question for the solicitor which has been answered. That easement is prepared and ready for signatures and we can then bid the entire project out. (4) Pioneer projects – PNC Inlet is closed out, ADA Ramp- approved shop drawings so that project should be starting; Pioneer saw cut the areas for the Stormwater project on Walnut. The inlets are due in July 18th, so they should begin the project July 19th. The softball tournament is July 22-24. Pioneer is aware of that. (4) Flood Project – Met with contractor to go over the project schedule. They are waiting on steel and other things. We marked out the walls for panel replacement. They should be in town next week to get started. (6) Annual MS4 requirement our office will be in town doing outfall inspections. Code Enforcement Report - Patty spoke with Harry Smith from Pittston City today, the Code Enforcement Officer, he will be attending our August 9th meeting to talk about the Rental Inspection Program. Crime Watch Report – Bob Price advised at the June meeting they discussed fireworks issues. The Chief attended. July’s meeting we will have a speaker John Curry, Wildlife Rescue. That meeting is July 26th at 7pm in the council chambers. Council President’s Report: Mileage: Packer: 66,441; Green Chevy, 3,300; Recycler, 35,370; and New 3500, 450. Last meeting I brought up about a Party in the Park. Due to unforeseen issues that came up for those who were organizing the event, we will have to cancel the event this year. MOTION TO ACCEPT THE REPORTS. Motion: Mr. Kowalczyk Second: Mr. Karkut Roll Call Vote: Mr. Knick, yes; Mr. Kowalczyk, yes; Mr. Karkut, yes; Mr. Price, yes; Mr. Jones, yes. Motion Carried 5/0. MOTION TO APPROVE LETTER TO SACRED HEART OF JESUS CHURCH FOR PLCB APPLICATION FOR PICNIC AUG 5TH AND 6TH including Walnut Street closure from Everhart to Lackawanna. (Council and Mayor noted the picnic is a regular picnic this year why the closure, and also it should be open for the three property owners to access their driveways as well as emergency vehicles). Motion: Mr. Jones Second: Mr. Karkut Roll Call Vote: Mr. Knick, yes; Mr. Kowalczyk, yes; Mr. Karkut, yes; Mr. Price, yes; Mr. Jones, yes. Motion Carried 5/0. MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION FOR HOME FUNDING THROUGH CITY OF PITTSTON AND ITS REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (Stan and Patty explained this is a MultiMunicipal Application for funds for home rehabilitation. The first round of funding was received and they are now submitting an application for additional round of funds. The City will provide a list of properties that applied and were approved. We believe one home in Dupont is on that list) Motion: Mr. Jones Second: Mr. Karkut Roll Call Vote: Mr. Knick, yes; Mr. Kowalczyk, yes; Mr. Karkut, yes; Mr. Price, yes; Mr. Jones, yes. Motion Carried 5/0. Matters from Residents: Jan Lokuta, Quaility Row – Six months ago Mr. Lokuta came to a meeting and suggested the Borough amend its ordinances since more and more houses are becoming rental properties to make sure there is a mechanism in place to make sure these rental units are livable. What consideration if any, has the Borough Council done. Patty has mentioned that someone will come and speak to Council in August. Jan repeated it has been six months since he made this suggestion. Stan stated we have been trying to get hold of someone to help us with this and he said he will come speak with us as to what the City does. He will be here in August. Mr. Lokuta addressed the solicitor that he has given him two ordinances one from Milford Borough, Pike County and one from Matamoras Borough, Pike County. Has any consideration been given to any of those. Erik stated, yes and he did not like any of them. There are expenses involved. He has spoken to some municipalities and they do not do it. That is a governmental procedure that we will have to consider whether or not we want to do it. Mr. Lokuta asked Mr. Dingle what he didn’t like about it. Mr. Dingle noted it was months ago, he does not have it in front of him. He would go over it with Mr. Lokuta at some point. His initial reaction was it was something we didn’t want to do. Erik noted he does not remember, he would be glad to review it again. Mr. Lokuta suggested he review it and bring it up next month. Erik advised Mr. Lokuta he would be glad to do that. You can call him at the office anytime. Mr. Lokuta stated no sir. Patty stated Harry Smith does work with Pittston City, Laflin Borough and Wyoming Borough. He will talk about the ordinances, fee schedule, resolution . Mr. Lokuta stated all those things were addressed in the ordinances he provided. The inspections, fees were addressed in the ordinance. Erik apologized that he had six months and didn’t meet Mr. Lokuta’s standards. Mr. Lokuta responded to Erik that he didn’t meet any standards and that is why this town has become a shame. Stan stated we have received complaints and we have BHW in place and we do call them. They inspect properties. This is a different program and this gentleman will come here and speak to us and we will work this out. It is not falling on deaf ears. Mr. Lokuta stated Mr. Knick is missing the point, is there an ordinance in place that requires the licensing of people who are leasing these properties as income properties, bearing costs of inspections when people move in and out. Mr. Dingle can you answer that question. Mr. Dingle said there is not, will there be, no, maybe not. Mr. Lokuta when will you know Mr. Dingle. Mr. Dingle said we would need to review it and vote on it. Mr. Lokuta stated Im talking to Mr. Dingle, he didn’t answer the question. Mr. Dingle stated and I am not going to. Mr. Lokuta responded I didn’t think so. Mr. Knick said once we speak with Harry Smith we will take action on it if that is what we decide. Mr. Lokuta asked and in the interim what do you have in place for houses that are rental properties that are substandard that don’t have front steps, doors, or windows. Stan stated we deal with BHW Construction Consultants. Mr. Lokuta asked what is that BHW. Patty explained it is initials of the three men that are in partnership for the company. Patty noted she spoke with them today and they stopped work on two houses today. Mr. Knick stated if we get a complaint, we make a call, and they go out and inspect them. Mr. Lokuta asked if there is an ordinance in place that requires the homeowners to have inspections when people move in or out. Patty stated not right now. Rental Inspection Program in Pittston charges a yearly fee that is paid and yearly inspections are done. Patty also noted information on Pittston’s rental inspection is available for review on their website. Mr. Lokuta had one more question for Mr. Dingle. Pittston City is a City, we are just a Borough. How does the ordinance for a Borough differ from a City. Mr. Dingle responded,, is this a test that you are giving, right now I don’t have any idea what the difference is, I can read up on it to see what it is. I will produce one that has to do with a Borough and this Borough Council approves and we have the personnel to do it. We can’t get someone to clean the streets, never mind go out and inspect houses. The two ordinances Mr. Lokuta provided are boroughs. Patty noted Pittston City also does inspections in Laflin Borough and Wyoming Borough. Pina Hansen, Ivy Lane – Addressed Mr. Lokuta’s questions since she was prior Code Enforcement. There are ordinances in place for rental properties that the landlord is responsible for. She did code enforcement for a couple years here. As far as the inspection, if there was a complaint that came in and it needed to be looked into as a hazard, Jason was called. I had called Jason, third party inspector, and he would come out. It was up to his authority if the home had to be condemned or not. Not for anything , but it was looked into. I did not have the experience or license to go in and check electrical. I just went by the ordinances that were here. Mr. Lokuta again said the question is we do not have ordinances in place. Pina stated not for inspection at this time. However, when a complaint came in for instance on the higher end of Main Street, fire department was called and provided me a report. That report was given to Jason and he went in and did the inspection to determine if the house was ok to be lived in. He did the inspection and it wasn’t on deaf ears. There were children living there. The fire department called Pina, and she then called the inspector. Mr. Lokuta then asked if you don’t have an ordinance that says A,B,C, how do you know what criteria. Pina stated the inspector has that inspection authority to do that he follows the International Building Codes 2015. The Borough adopted that Code. Katie Pernot, 170 Center Street – Regarding the drain on the corner of Center and Serling Street, it is in rough shape and she is concerned because it is a bus stop. Patty addressed the engineer since he did go out and check this recently. Bob stated it is not a standard inlet. You can fabricate something to fix it or tear it out and replace it. It is one of the old manmade grates. It is not simple just buy a new top and put it on there. Mr. Knick asked if Walter Tylutke replaced the one on Coolidge. Patty noted he did not, and suggested Pioneer be contacted to check this one on Serling. Secondly, Katie asked about the ordinance for hedges. She has a neighbor whose hedges are wild and out of control. Stan asked Patty to send a letter to the property owner. Mr. Joe Cigan, Gill Street - Two unrelated issues and I am not advocating for any viewpoint on them just throwing them out there for consideration by council and mayor. The news is filled with gun violence so the question is does the police have adequate equipment, training and protocols in place to handle an incident of that type. We have churches, clubs and so on. For example, bullet proof vests, the bullets that can go through the vests. The other question we have three full time workers and it was said its hard to get workers. Do they have any type of a pension plan. Stan stated 401K. They put in so much and we matched so much. That has been in place when Ed Kowalczyk and Joe Timinski were on Council. Chief Doran responded that is a good question. We are adequately equipped. We do have rifle vest, a vest that goes over the bullet proof vest. Officers are trained every year. We do updates. Active Shooter training is something we have been looking into. We have to get other departments involved. I tried to set one up prior to the Ben Franklin school being ripped down and the District Attorney’s office at the time didn’t feel it was necessary. I have talked to others about doing it while schools are closed in the summer. The Chief referred to the recent incident at Walmart and how several units responded. At this time he does feel that the department is adequately equipped. Matters from Council and Mayor: Joseph Jones – welcomed Mayor Lello. Mark Kowalczyk – Softball tournament is next weekend to benefit the organization that donates to all local organizations. Stop by and support in any way. Sacred Heart picnic is back this year. August 5th and 6th. Getting back to normal. Hope to see all residents out at both events. Joe Karkut – Welcome Mayor. Bob Price – Welcome Mayor. Like Mark said it is good to see events starting again. Mayor Lello - Also reminded residents of the Chicken BBQ this weekend at Holy Mother of Sorrows Church. Thanked everyone for kind words, kind thoughts. Stan Knick, Welcome aboard. Motion to Adjourn: Unanimous. Respectfully submitted, Adopted and Approved Patricia McDonald Stanley Knick Jr. Secretary Council President