City Council

Forty Fort Borough Council Meeting Tuesday September 7, 2021 The September 7, 2021, meeting for Forty Fort Borough Council was held at the Forty Fort Borough Building, 1271 Wyoming Ave., Forty Fort, PA with president, Thomas J. Murray III presiding. Call to order Gavel strike of President of Council Thomas Murray called tonight’s meeting to order at 6:00 PM. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag Reverend Lukish led the invocation along with Mayor Andy Tuzinski leading the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll Call President Thomas Murray ordered a roll call. Members in attendance were President Thomas Murray, Vice President Cara Devine, Phil Mertz, Frank Mazza, Jeffrey McLaughlin, Kristy Dadurka, Borough Manager Bonnie Arnone, Borough Mayor Andy Tuzinski, Police Chief Dan Hunsinger, Borough Secretary Michele Pascarella, Thomas Craig Code Enforcement Officer, DPW Supervisor Rick Kamus and Solicitor Greg Skibitsky. David Sieminski was absent. There were 11 visitors in attendance. Public Comments Ann Schwartz from 8 Susquehanna Avenue complimented the Mayor, all of Council and all Borough employees for a job well done. Ann formally asked Council if a meeting can be set up with the engineer and with all the residents that will be affected with the Bike Trail, President Thomas Murray said that no meeting has been scheduled yet as there are no immediate plans for the levy section of the trail. George Hebda of 59 Virginia Terrace asked if there were any further information on the impending Koral Project and Tobin Property. Robert Craig of 821 Wyoming Avenue asked Council when the fire engine will be brought back to the Borough building. Councilman Phil Mertz stated that there have been meetings with Forty Fort’s Chief, Forty Fort’s Assistant Chief, Kingston’s Chief and Kingston’s Assistant Chief and one is scheduled with all on Thursday September 9, 2021, to come up with a plan on returning the fire engine. Phil Mertz asked that everyone allow the process to go through and wait until all meetings have been completed. Robert Craig also had financial questions on the Kingston/Forty Fort Ambulance as to wondering if Forty Fort receives and money from the billing of the ambulance service. Mayor Andy Tuzinski asked Council to vote on bringing the fire engine back, Per Solicitor Greg Skibitsky motion must be on agenda to vote. Discussion was made to have a Special Meeting prior to September’s Work Session. Erin Lucas from 64 Slocum Street Rear apartment stated she believes the fire truck should be here in the Borough. She also stated that there should be an apology from the President of Council for the remarks made to a lifeguard. Consent Agenda Matters listed with the consent agenda have been referred to members of the Borough Council for reading and study, are routine and will be enacted by one motion of Council. If separate discussion is desired, the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda by Council action. The resolutions listed below are submitted by Borough Council for the review and will be adopted by one motion. These items have been presented to the council at the prior month’s work session for review. Motion to approve and/or accept the following consent agenda items: • 7/19/2021 Council work session minutes • 8/2/2021 Council Meeting Minutes • July 2021 Code Office Report • July 2021 Kingston Fire Chief Report • July 2021 FF Fire Chief Report • July 2021 Forty Fort Police Chief Report • July 2021 Treasure’s Report • July 2021 Manager’s Time Sheets • July 2021 Tax Collector Report • 8/12/2021 Finance Committee meeting minutes • Tax Claim Sales for September Motion was made by Jeff McLaughlin and seconded by Cara Devine. All were in favor, motion passed. Correspondence GPI Update on River Street, Bike Trail and FEMA Flood mapping Council Action Items A motion was made by Phil Mertz of payment of all bills as presented and seconded by Kristy Dadurka. All were in favor. Motion passed. Jeffrey McLaughlin abstained from payment of GBM. A motion was made by Cara Devine to appoint firm of Skibitsky and Molino as Borough Solicitor and was seconded by Frank Mazza. All were in favor. Motion passed. A motion was made by Jeff McLaughlin to approve 2022 MMO’s and was seconded by Cara Devine. The amounts are $99,360.00 for Police, $14,759.00 for Fire and $22,100.00 for Non-Uniform. All were in favor. Motion passed. A motion was made by Phil Mertz for Resolution 11 of 2021- Board appointments and seconded by Jeff McLaughlin. Rebecca Mattern and John Vitanovic are appointed as alternate members of the Zoning Hearing Board. All were in favor. Motion passed. A motion was made by Cara Devine to hire Bernard McNelis as crossing guard at $9.50 per hour and seconded by Kristy Dadurka. All were in favor. Motion passed. A motion was given to give a stipend to DJ Wojchichowski in the amount of $2000 for assistance with the Sports complex but was tabled until financial analysis of Recreation Fund can be completed. A motion was made by Cara Devine to approve advertisement of Rental Ordinance Amendment and seconded by Phil Mertz. This amendment will be advertised and on display for pubic inspection and voted upon at the next regular meeting of council. All were in favor. Motion passed. New Business 2021 LSA Grant Applications due September 30, 2021. An application for lighting along River St. & Rutter Ave. will be submitted along with an application for police safety equipment. Old Business Flood Mapping update- Mayor Tuzinski- Jim Moore with GPI and Mayor Tuzinski are working on this. Frank Mazza suggested that data needs to be collected if COVID money can be used for FEMA Flood mapping. Park/Pool Concession Stand update-Rick Kamus- Cara Devine and Rick Kamus met and every issue was discussed both felt great about the meeting and feels good going forward. Kristy Dadurka asked if the handicap parking spots will be installed, Rick Kamus stated his department will take care of these and is hoping to be completed for the 2022 pool season. River Street work Update-Rick Kamus had a 5-hour meeting and walked all of River Street which included every drain being checked. Rick Kamus believes the Borough will be short around $400,000.00 for this project as $250,000.00 was added doing the walkthrough. Cross pipes need to be put in at Fort Street and Walnut Street. Rick Kamus stated there are also tree issues on Oneida and Cayuga which will lead to these trees being removed which will then short the tree lawns and driveways. Rick stated this will also push out parking. Used Tire Drop Off- September 18, 2021, 9:00 AM to Noon. Rick also got petroleum products, such as used motor oil to be included in the drop off. Chief Hunsinger asked to reach out to Civil Service to create a new eligibility list for the Police Department as the list of 2 we received have been hired. Adjournment Meeting was adjourned at 7:46 pm. The next meeting will be a Special Council meeting followed by the work session on Monday September 20, 2021, at 6:00PM. Respectfully submitted, Michele Pascarella Borough Secretary