City Council

FORTY FORT BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 5, 2012 The regular meeting of the Forty Fort Council was held on Monday, November 5, 2012 at the Forty Fort Borough Building, 1271 Wyoming Ave., Forty Fort with President Joseph Chacke presiding. The council meeting was immediately preceded by a Budget Meeting of council. The regular meeting was called to order at 7:50 PM by President Chacke with the following council members present: Frank Michaels, Dorothy Craig, Charles Rick Kamus & Karen Martinelli via telephone. Betty Mascelli & Rob Craig were absent. Also present were Mayor Boyd Hoats, Manager Barbara Fairchild & Secretary Bonnie Arnone. A moment of silence was held followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag led by Mayor Hoats. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion by Mr. Michaels to approve the minutes of the October 1, 2012 council meeting. Second by Mr. Kamus. Roll call showed the following: YES: Mrs. Craig, Mr. Kamus, Mr. Michaels & Mr. Chacke ABSTAIN: Ms. Martinelli due to absence at that meeting. Motion by Mrs. Craig to approve the minutes of the October 15, 2012 council work session. Second by Mr. Michaels. All council was in favor of this motion with the exception of an abstention by Ms. Martinelli due to absence at that meeting. COMMUNICATIONS: Ms. Fairchild stated that the engagement letter for their services had been received from Zavada & Associates, the Borough’s Auditors with a yearly fee of $5,150.00 which is the same as last years fee. Motion by Mr. Michaels to accept the letter as presented from Zavada & Associates and engage their services for the upcoming year. Second by Mrs. Craig. Roll call showed all council in favor of this motion. Motion carried. RESIDENTS AND TAXPAYERS COMMENTS & PETITIONS REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS ONLY: Andy Tuzinski, 501 River St., Forty Fort, presented council with an outline of actions which he feels would help the financial situation of the Borough. He feels that the addition of a Public Safety Director, as presented in a budget outline by President Chacke, would be an unnecessary expense to the Borough. He also felt the borough should obtain quotes for a three, four & five year loan to cover shortfalls caused by DWA failure to properly disburse EIT money owed to the Borough.  Motion by Mr. Kamus to direct the Borough Manager to secure quotes for a three, four & five year loan to cover the borough’s pension obligation for 2012. Second by Mrs. Craig. All council was in favor of this motion. Motion carried. Rob Swaback, 15 Susquehanna Ave., Forty Fort, also stated to council that he felt the addition of a Public Safety Director would prove a financial burden on the Borough’s budget. He further stated that council should foresee certain expenses & their increases for future budgets so they are not caught short of funds at the end of the year. George Chervy of Chervy Lawn Care, spoke to council about a problem with the roots system of two trees on the tree lawn on and near 31 E. Pettebone St. in Forty Fort. He stated that the root system has damaged the resident’s sidewalks, sewer lines & water lines. The residents have received permission from the Shade Tree Commission to trim the trees only when the removal of the trees would seem to be the solution to the problems. Atty. Falcone reviewed the Shade Tree Ordinance and stated that in the event of an emergency situation, such as this due to sewer lines being compromised and the possibility of sewage getting into the ground water, council has the right to override the Shade Tree Commission and grant the removal of the trees. President Chacke asked Ms. Fairchild if she thought the situation warranted this action to which she replied yes. Motion by Ms. Martinelli to have the two trees on the tree lawn on & near 31 E. Pettebone St. in Forty Fort removed. Second by Mr. Michaels. Roll call showed all council in favor. Motion carried. Joe Homza, 34 Center St., Forty Fort, asked council if they felt that a chief was necessary in the police department. Council stated that there did need to be someone in a supervisory position in that department but would not say what that title would be. TREASURER’S REPORT: Motion by Mr. Michaels to accept the treasurer’s report as presented. Second by Mrs. Craig. All council was in favor of this motion. Motion carried. GENERAL BUSINESS: Motion by Mr. Michaels to accept the reports from the following departments: Mayor/Police Dept., Forty Fort Volunteer Fire Chief, Kingston Fire Chief & Code Enforcement Officer. Second by Mrs. Craig. Roll call showed all council was in favor of this motion. Motion carried. Motion by Mrs. Craig to proceed with RFP procedure for Act 44 pension. Second by Mr. Michaels. All council was in favor of this motion. Motion carried. Motion by Mrs. Craig to solicit quotes for Municipal Insurances. Second by Ms. Martinelli. All council was in favor of this motion. Motion carried. Mrs. Fairchild was directed by council to get more information on what is needed to begin a traffic study for the situation on Dana St. with parking during the morning and afternoon hours when school is beginning and ending. Several residents stated that the no parking across from the school has helped a little but people are still stopping in the middle of the street to discharge students posing dangerous situations.  Motion by Ms. Martinelli to have the flag pole on Fort St. repaired, with a maximum cost of $1,000.00. Second by Mr. Kamus. Roll call showed all council was in favor of this motion. Motion carried. Motion by Mrs. Craig to pass a resolution to appoint Barbara Fairchild as the confidential representative to the Berkheimer Agency for tax collection purposes. Second by Mr. Michaels. Roll call showed all council was in favor of this motion. Motion carried. Motion by Ms. Martinelli to pass a Resolution for Local Share Assessment Funds for Luzerne County. Second by Mrs. Craig. Roll call showed all council in favor of this motion. Motion carried. Motion by Mrs. Craig to authorize the Berkheimer Agency delinquency fee schedule. Second by Mr. Michaels. On the question, this is a fee that is charged to the delinquent party, not the borough. All council was in favor of this motion. Motion carried. Motion by Mr. Michaels to rescind the award for the sale of the 2004 Crown Victoria vehicle to Bayridge Motors at their request. Due to unforeseen events, they were unable to make the purchase of this vehicle with their bid of $810.00. Second by Mr. Kamus. Roll call showed all council in favor of this motion. Motion carried. Motion by Mr. Michaels to award the bid for the sale of the 2004 Crown Victoria to the second highest bidder, Voyton Contractors for the amount of $800.00. Second by Mr. Kamus. All council was in favor of this motion. Motion carried. Mr. Michaels stated that three applicants had been interviewed for the position of part time public works department. The committee has made the recommendation to hire Francis Newell. Council then had a brief discussion regarding starting wages and hours to be worked. Motion by Mr. Michaels to hire Francis Newell for the position of part time public works laborer at a starting hourly wage of $11.00 with his hours to be between 20‐30 hours per week not to exceed 30 hours per week. Second by Mr. Kamus. Roll call showed all council in favor. Motion carried. Mr. Newell will be instructed to report for physical & drug screening within 24 hours of notification. PAYMENT OF BILLS: Motion by Mr. Michaels to pay the bills as presented. Second by Mr. Kamus. All council was in favor of the motion, with the exception of Mrs. Craig, who abstained on the vote of only the bills presented by the code enforcement office for mileage reimbursement. Motion carried. Motion by Mr. Michaels to purchase four mobile radios capable of being utilized for the upcoming narrow banding of frequencies from Visual Distinctions at a total cost of $2,019.30. Second by Mr. Kamus. Roll call showed all council in favor of this motion. Motion carried. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Council adjourned to Executive Session to discuss personnel matters at 9:00 PM. Council re‐convened the council meeting at 9:19 PM. MOTION RELATING TO MATTERS DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION: Motion by Mr. Michaels to accept the resignation of former police chief, Fred Lahovski effective October 19, 2012. Second by Mr. Kamus. All council was in favor of this motion. Motion carried. Mrs. Fairchild announced that she will coordinate with the finance committee to have another budget meeting prior to the November 19, 2012 work session. Mrs. Craig commended the Recreation Association on the Halloween event held at the Forty Fort Park. Mayor Hoats announced that the annual Christmas parade will be on Sunday, November 18, 2012 beginning at 2:00 PM. Anyone interested in participating should contact him. It was noted that the next meeting of council will be a work session on Monday, November 19, 2012 at 7:30 PM at the Borough Hall. Motion by Mr. Michaels to adjourn at 9:25 PM. Second by Mr. Kamus. All council was in favor of this motion. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Bonnie Arnone Secretary