City Council

The Regular Monthly meeting of Dupont Borough Council was called to order at 7:00pm on Tuesday evening, April 11, 2023 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 Elaine Lello - Present MOTION TO ADOPT THE MINUTES OF THE MARCH 14, 2023 REGULAR MEETING OF COUNCIL AND PLACE ON FILE: Motion: Mr. Karkut Second: Mr. Price 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 CORRESPONDENCE PRESENTED. 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 BILLS FOR PAYMENT: 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 MOTIONT TO APPOINT PART TIME POLICE OFFICERS FROM APRIL 11, 2023 TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING OF COUNCIL WITH NO GUARANTEE OF WORK: Bryan Besecker, Duane Saunders, Jennifer Polemitis, Christopher Fargione, Michael Sniscak, Thomas Ruschak, John Tamburello. 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 – Submitted by Albert B. Melone Co., Business Consultants General Fund - $87,079.59 Payroll Fund - $6,774.94 ARPA Fund - $104,626.77 Admin Debit Card - $ 236.29 Police Debit Card - $ 211.45 Community Development Fund - $ 63.18 Refuse Fund - $146,742.32 Sewer Maintenance Fund $ 308,360.86 Liquid Fuels - $ 257,173.21 Police Pension Fund - $1,109,295.74 Town Clock - $87.19 Special Fund - $ 127,067.73 Tax Collector’s Report – Susan Gregory submitted a check for March in the amount of $51,878.98 which was deposited in the General Fund. Balance Collectable End of Month - $143,306.51 Mayor’s Report - Mayor Elaine began with she hoped everyone had a Happy Easter, Enjoy the beautiful weather and a reminder that this month’s food drive is April 27th . Solicitor’s Report – None Engineer’s Report – (1) Pioneer will be back to finish up the ADA Ramp and Stormwater punch list items (2) MultiScape is waiting on the water level to go down in the Creek Channel to resume work, probably til May (3) Waiting on the agreements to be returned from Stell for the work on Almond and Everhart Holden under Growing Greener project. We did meet with them and talked the project through with them to make sure they are comfortable with the number they submitted. They agreed. (4) We have discussed a few grant conversation. The park is the next focus for grants. I believe Patty stated 11 grants current. Stan asked about the paving in town. Bob is still working with Penn DOT. We are a little closer with the Quail Hill and is hoping to bid around June for the quail hill and then the borough streets. Still working on the ada ramps for borough streets. Crime Watch – Bob Price reported on the meeting last month with speaker Jessica from Childrens Service Center. Talked about drug trends in the area and discussed what to watch out for. The next meeting will be April 25th at 7 pm. Hope to see a lot of people here. Council President’s Report - Stan updated on the following: Trash – 50.13 tons; Comingle 2.27 tons (the second drop off had no tonnage due to problem with scale); Paper - 8.75 tons; Mileage: Packer 68,586; Recycler 38,897; Mack 4,089; C6500 – 913; Green Pickup 5,303; F550 46,399; Bucket Truck 2039., Skidsteer needs tires. Compost facility is not open. I will be having a meeting with all towns soon. We are waiting on Mericle to take the material from last season. One of the workers is off and we may need someone to fill in til he returns. The lines were painted at Commerce and Freeport and the cost was half by Universal as compared to Mayo Striping. We have had several complaints on trees leaning in the creek channels. DPW cut some of the trees in the creek by the pavilion. There are others in Lidy creek by Mr. Lizak’s property. They are ready to fall. MOTION TO ACCEPT THE REPORTS PRESENTED. Motion: Mr. Price 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: Mr. Joseph Cigan - A few months ago Father Petro was here at a meeting and one of the issues he brought up was junk cars. Stan stated we are working on that. It is like the rental inspection program. We have to do more in town. His wife always asks what is with all the junk cars. Stan stated that is the county. Some parcels of land are commercial. That doesn’t mean you can pile junk cars. Joe said he knows town changed zoning to county. He mentioned the area coming into Dupont from Avoca, they are not used cars, they are junk piled up. Also, on Pittston Avenue coming off the bypass into Dupont you cannot change that. DOesn’t the council have some control for them to put up a screen or fence. I bring this up because the image of the town, every taxpayer investing in the town, the image is just not good. As I drive through other towns I notice on the west side, Exeter, Wyoming, Kingston. You don’t see that. Some places have fences. Jenkins Township salvage yard has fencing all around it. Erik talked about the time spent on this, trying to do something. The one at the Heidleberg, across from Petro there are ten there. As soon as you make a complaint, they comply just enough to keep it there. Stan talked about the car lot on Curtain and Main. We brought pictures to the county of the LAG lot and said this is the one that was approved last time. Erik stated that person said it is high end cars, Mercedes, Jaguars, etc. and that is how they got it approved. There is not a car that runs. Joe will tell his wife that in Dupont you cannot have chickens or geese, but junk cars are not a problem. He is not 100% sure that the town doesn’t have the authority to do something about this. Stan stated he will go back to the county. Erik talked about pictures he took to the county, three series of pictures over a six month period of a construction yard in someone’s back yard. Pictures of backhoes and equipment and the county found that it is ok it is a work in progress. Joe asked if he has a junk car on his property without a license plate, is it ok to stay there. Erik stated it has to be covered. Take a sheet off the bed and cover it. Joe commented that is a step in the right direction. Stan referred to Mr. Lizak’s neighbor paying fines. Erik and Stan both agreed we are still trying. We have not stopped. Erik has the letter from the county. Stan suggested residents also contact the county and it can’t hurt. The county zoning and planning are all new people. Erik met with them. Has Dupont ever thought of taking the zoning back. Stan and Erik stated you would have to get people to sit on the board. Grant money – Town is doing great with grant money. An article in the Pittston Progress about $339,000. The last $100,000 was about park behind the apartments. What is being done with the rest of the money. Stan explained the $239,000 is for the basketball courts and pocket park. The extra $100,000 is to put the walk trail behind the housing and finish the courts. Since you represent the town, an article complemented Representative Jim Haddock and Senator Flynn about grant money. It ranged from $1 Million for Wyoming to $25,000 for Duryea. The question is last year Avoca got grants $150,000 to refurbish the West Side Social Club. This year they got $150,000 to refurbish the VFW. I know you don’t have control over that. You should voice an opinion about money that should go to Hose Companies and Ambulance Associations. Stan stated we just got a grant for the Hose Company for roof and air conditioning. As far as VFW and West Side Club, I sit on the board of the Polish Club and they came to me for grants to redo things based on the others getting funds. His answer was there are a lot of things the residents benefit from in town such as streets, etc. and he felt that town should come first before other businesses. That is his opinion. Joe asked for Council to question Jim Haddock or Flynn, about money from casino being spent on private property. Erik suggested attendance at a county council meeting about the junk cars and the planning and zoning approvals. Erik talked about the grant for park behind the high rise. It has been a park forever. It is covenant of the deed required by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that that become a park. We got a letter from the county asking what we are doing over there with the park, because you cannot do anything without our approval and we are not approving it. Joe Cigan asked if the County Zoning would be welcoming. The county council is very adverse. 900 square miles. They have 15 chairs in the chamber for the public. Stan realized the agenda didn’t list police report and he asked the Chief to read the report for March. Traffic citations issued-41; appearances in magisterial court-19; motor vehicle accidents-7; assist to ems/fire-6; assist to other police depts-10; alarms-7; burglaries-1; thefts-4; vandalism-1; disorderly conduct-3; domestic reports-7; suspicious activity-6; dui arrest-1; assault/harassment-3; miscellaneous calls-28; building checks-45; Mileage: F150-41,883; Car #2 Explorer-14,675; Car #3 Explorer- 12,592. Magistrate Fines Collected - $1,770.28. MOTION TO ACCEPT THE POLICE REPORT: 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 Lou Posly - We appointed three people to a committee to look at run down homes and other things such as cars. Stan stated that board is an appeals board. Stan stated we have a gentleman that is doing a few inspections at a time for the rental properties. Erik stated we sent out a batch of notices. The first inspection fee came in. The inspector goes out. If someone is upset with his decision it will go before that board. Lou asked who is the inspector and what are his duties. Stan stated the company is BHW in Wilkes-Barre. Lou asked if he can call them. Stan stated the borough calls them once they receive a complaint. Lou asked how much do they get paid. Stan stated they charge a fee. They also drive through town and followup if they see something. Lou then asked about the gas lines. UGI is done, there is no future plans. Lou asked what does that mean for people that don’t have gas. Mark stated it is unfortunate but there are blockades, the expense, the railroad etc. Lou asked if they are obligated to do it. Mark stated no they are not obligated. It is PUC regulation as well as the gas company. If they prove to the PUC they we cant extend this without raising prices, the PUC oversees it and regulates it. It’s a monopoly, the government regulates it. PUC approves the expansion projects. What makes sense so they don’t have to increase rates for people in the next town to cover the expenses for this town. After the last meeting Patty put me in touch with the gas company and that was it. That is as much as we are doing in Dupont because of obstacles. Lou asked how many people have gas and how many don’t. Mark does not. Stan stated there are areas where the lines are installed but people don’t want gas. Mark stated railroad is a major obstacle with any project. He saw what the construction company went through by his property because it was by the tracks on a day to day project. That was a Penndot project. Railroads are federally controlled, they are higher than the state. He watched the inspectors from Norfolk Southern, who drove up every week from Tennessee or North Carolina and slept in his truck. That construction company could not do any work over Norfolk tracks unless that guy was present. Mark watch a supervisor get suspended from work for three weeks. He was down there cleaning he had a week or two left of work. The inspector decided to leave for the day not telling anyone. Norfolk Southern construction came through saw them working next to tracks. Asked for inspector, when they found out the inspector left for the week, the worker got suspended. That is what the gas company would have to deal with just trying to cross the tracks. Lou said they don’t have to cross the tracks if they come in from Avoca. Mark said yes you do Reading Northern and Norfolk Southern crisscross under the Heidleberg bridge. No matter what you are going under tracks to put the lines in. The cost to get the line to feed it under the tracks, with permits, inspectors is very high. It will probably be worse now because of all the recent derailments. Mark added we tried to clear brush along the tracks and called Mike Carroll. Did you see the job they did on Oak Street near Casey Dental. It’s a high speed turn. Two sets tracks uneven. It’s a washboard. Pittston Township complained and nothing could be done. That is why the gas company will not feed gas lines into Coolidge or the 400 block of Lincoln, because of regulations with the railroad. Penn DOT is nothing compared to the railroad. Its sad to say but this council has no power to get this done. Lou Posly said there are houses next door to me and Satkowski on Main Street, one by VFW, they are falling apart. What are we going to do about those. Stan stated the inspector was called and if he feels they are structural sound. Stan asked Lou to call the inspector, the professional who knows the rules and laws. Stan can only report what he is told. Lou asked how he can be professional. Erik stated we hired this man, call him and question his credentials. Lou was told to call Patty for the inspectors information. Danielle Perrins – Follow up to a complaint my mom filed with a gentleman on Lidy Road who is not cleaning up after their dog. Stan stated he is aware of it and asked if it is still happening. Stan knows that the complaintant cleaned it up. The gentleman is now taking the dog to another property that is vacant and letting the dog go onto their property. Stan stated the solicitor will send a letter. Joe Cigan – Landlords will pay $75.00 for the inspection. The apartments will be inspected every two years. So every apartment will be inspected every two years. Stan explained we are doing it in stages, so many to inspect each quarter. He also added that you did get three competent people to volunteer for the board. Erik stated we will find out if these three will hear issues regarding their neighbors and maybe then work on the zoning hearing board. Lou Posly – The Pittston laws include houses that are boarded up. These houses that Lou is referring to are boarded up. Stan again asked Mr. Posly to call the inspector to ask his questions. The Pittston inspector was here and spoke, but he does not have the time to take on another town. Erik agreed he was great. Lou stated they have ordinances that work. Matters from Council: Mr. Jones – Reminder that voting is here at the Borough Building, not the VFW. Mr. Kowalczyk – Just point to Mr. Cigan we are at 47 minutes. Happy Spring, enjoy the weather. Mayor Elaine – Nothing Mr. Price – Thank everyone for coming out to the Easter Egg Hunt. Mark, Joey, Joe was there. Kids had a really great time. Mr. Karkut – Warm weather be safe. Mr. Knick – Enjoy the weather. Meeting adjourned by unanimous vote at 7:49pm. Respectfully submitted Adopted and Approved Ellen Price Stanley Knick, Jr. Patricia McDonald, Secretary Council President