City Council

FORTY FORT BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JUNE 4, 2012 The regular meeting of the Forty Fort Borough Council was held on Monday, June 4, 2012 at the Forty Fort Borough Building, 1271 Wyoming Ave., Forty Fort, with President Joseph Chacke presiding. Council members present were: Dorothy Craig, Robert Craig, Karen Martinelli, Charles Rick Kamus, Betty Mascelli & Frank Michaels. Also present were Mayor Boyd Hoats, Solicitor Sam Falcone, Carl Schimmel of Quad 3 Group, Bonnie Arnone, Borough Clerk & Borough Manager, Barbara Fairchild. President Chacke called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM. A moment of silence was held followed by the pledge of allegiance led by Mayor Hoats. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion by Mrs. Mascelli to accept the minutes of the May 7, 2012 Council meeting. Second by Ms. Martinelli. Roll Call: YES: Mrs. Craig, Mr. Craig, Ms. Martinelli, Mr. Chacke, Ms. Mascelli, Mr. Kamus & Mr. Michaels Motion passed. Motion by Mrs. Craig to accept the minutes of the May 7th continuation meeting held on May 21, 2012. Second by Mr. Michaels. All Council in favor of the motion. Motion passed. Motion by Mrs. Craig to accept the minutes of the May 21, 2012 work session. Second by Mr. Michaels. All council in favor of the motion. Motion passed. COMMUNICATIONS: President Chacke read a letter from Luzerne County regarding the upcoming electronics recycling program. President Chacke also read correspondence from PENDOT regarding the Winter Traffic services agreement in which they notify us that there will be an increase by 3.4% on the rates. Motion by Mr. Craig to accept the Winter Services Agreement with the 3.4% increase. Second by Mr. Michaels. All council in favor of the motion. Motion passed. RESIDENTS AND TAXPAYERS COMMENTS & PETITIONS REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS ONLY:  Andy Tuzinski, 501 River St., Forty Fort, asked for an update on his request for a stop sign on River St. at the intersection with Turner St. He was told that it would cost $3,500.00 for PENDOT to conduct a traffic study which is necessary before any new stop sign can be placed. Mr. Tuzinski also stated that he had a possible rabid possum on his porch the previous Sat. evening and he wanted to commend the police officers that responded to the call. He suggested that the borough might look into obtaining a weapon that would humanely euthanize animals in such cases. Mr. Tuzinski asked if any study had been completed with the removal of the FF fire truck to the Kingston Station. He was told that since there was such little activity in the 2 month trial period, no conclusive study was done. The Fire truck will be back at the Forty Fort Station beginning June 15, 2012. TREASURER’S REPORT: Motion by Mr. Craig to accept the Treasurers report as presented. Second by Mr. Michaels. All Council were in favor of this motion. Motion passed. ENGINEER’S REPORT: Carl Schimmel of Quad 3 Engineers reported to council about the televised sewers in the borough. Ms. Martinelli asked what the televising showed. He stated that there was root intrusion, broken pipes and some areas worse than others. GENERAL BUSINESS: President Chacke introduced and welcomed the new Borough Manager, Barbara Fairchild who had began working today, June 4, 2012. Motion by Ms. Martinelli and second by Mrs. Craig to accept the following reports: Mayor/Police Dept., Kingston Fire Chief, Code Enforcement Officer, WVSA Representative & Planning Commission. Motion by Mr. Michaels to adopt a Resolution and proclamation recognizing the Quasquicentennial (125th) Anniversary of Forty Fort as a Borough. Second by Ms. Martinelli. All council in favor of this motion. Motion carried. President Chacke gave the dates and activities that will be part of the celebration and encouraged everyone to attend. The dates are June 21 – 24, 2012 at the Council Soccer Fields. President Chacke reported that Mr. Kamus would now be the Public Safety Chairperson. He also noted that he and Mr. Michaels would be working on the upcoming Fire Contract. PAYMENT OF BILLS: Motion by Mr. Craig to pay the bills as presented. Second by Mr. Michaels. All council in favor of this motion. Motion carried. RESIDENTS AND TAXPAYERS COMMENTS AND PETITIONS FOR GENERAL PURPOSES:  Joe Homza, 34 Center St., Forty Fort questioned council regarding the recent newspaper articles about lawsuits against the Chief of Police & President of Council. Atty. Falcone stated that these were items that could not be discussed as there was pending litigation. Rob Swaback, 15 Susquehanna Ave., Forty Fort, asked what the deductible was for the borough insurance that will come into play with the pending lawsuits. Mr. Swaback also stated that there were still weeds in the curb area near the cemetery that needs to be taken care of. Jeff McLaughlin, 25 Yates St., Forty Fort questioned council about the fire contract and the possibility of consolidation. Robert Kole, 76 Walnut St., Forty Fort questioned why signs were put up recently for no parking for street sweeping but it was never done. He also questioned why the borough has four police cars now. He also requested a traffic light be placed at the intersection of Rutter & Welles St. Donna Kilgore, 83 Shoemaker St. asked that the street dept. check the park daily for graffiti as she takes a summer camp program to the park daily in the summer. Carol Seltzer noted that she has made a donation for the recently purchased trees as her contribution for the 125th anniversary celebration. She also presented council with two requests for tree removal that she has approved. Once the trees are removed, the borough will cost share with those residents. Carol was thanked by council for all that she does for the borough. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Council held an Executive Session beginning at 8:35 PM for purposes of legal issues. Council returned from Executive Session at 9:35 PM. ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Mr. Craig to adjourn at 9:35 PM. Second by Ms. Martinelli. Council will hold a work session on Monday, June 18, 2012 at 7:30 PM. Respectfully submitted, Bonnie Arnone Borough Clerk