City Council

FORTY FORT BOROUGH SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2021 Forty Fort Borough Council held a special council meeting for general purposes on Monday, September 20, 2021 at the Forty Fort Borough Building, 1271 Wyoming Ave., Forty Fort, PA with President, Thomas J. Murray, III presiding. President Murray called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM with the following members of council present: Phil Mertz, Kristy Dadurka, Frank Mazza, Jeff McLaughlin, David Sieminski and Cara Devine. Also present were Atty. Gene Molino, Mayor Andy Tuzinski, Chief Dan Hunsinger, Code Officer, Tom Craig, DPW Supervisor, Rick Kamus and Borough Manager, Bonnie Arnone. Mayor Tuzinski led with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. RESIDENTS AND TAXPAYERS: Amy Craig of 1828 Wyoming Ave., Forty Fort questioned council why a vote to bring the fire engine back to Forty Fort during daytime hours was not on the agenda. Mr. Mertz, chairperson of the Fire Committee explained that after several meetings with the chiefs of both the professional firefighters and the volunteers, it had been decided to bring the truck to Forty Fort during the mornings on Monday, Wednesday & Friday and Monday through Friday for one hour during rush hour. Following a lengthy discussion, Chief Shedlarski was encouraged to reach out to Chief Guido to work out an agreement on the return of the truck. Rob Craig of 1828 Wyoming Ave., Forty Fort questioned the fact that Swoyersville residents receive the same benefits of the Kingston/Forty Fort fire department at no cost while Forty Fort residents pay a premium price. Motion to adopt Ordinance 3 of 2021, an amendment to the Rental Ordinance was made by Mr. Sieminski and seconded by Mr. Mazza. On the question, it was noted that the had been prepared by our solicitors with the assistance of Tom Craig and had been advertised and on display for public inspection. All were in favor and motion passed. A motion to approve a loan through Luzerne Bank was withdrawn until further yearly payment amounts could be clarified. Motion to approve Resolution 12 of 2021, an application for an LSA Grant for Police Safety Equipment was made by Mr. McLaughlin and seconded by Mr. Mazza. On the question, Mr. Sieminski asked Chief Hunsinger what pieces of equipment were being ordered. Chief Hunsinger explained that tasers, computers, AED machines and a Voice Stress Analyzer was being requested. All council was in favor and motion passed. Motion to approve Resolution 13 of 2021, an application for an LSA Grant for Street Lighting on River St. & Rutter Ave. was made by Mr. McLaughlin and seconded by Mr. Sieminski. All council was in favor of this and motion passed.  Motion to approve Resolution 14 of 2021, an application for an LSA Grant for Police Equipment for the Police Departments in all West Side Council of Governments member towns was made by Ms. Dadurka and seconded by Mr. Mazza. On the question, Mr. Sieminski asked Chief Hunsinger what equipment was being requested in this grant to which the chief responded that this was defensive equipment for all police departments in the COG. All council was in favor of this motion. Motion passed. Motion to request the Forty Fort Civil Service Commission to create a new eligibility list for the Police Department was made by Mr. Mertz and seconded by Mr. Sieminski. All council was in favor of this and motion passed. Motion by Mr. Sieminski to pay a stipend of $2,000.00 to David (DJ) Wojchichowski for his work with the Sports Complex. Second by Ms. Dadurka. On the question: council has been given a financial report on the income and expenses for 2021 for the Sports Complex. All council was in favor and this motion passed. Motion by Ms. Dadurka to engage the services of AMP Global Strategies for the upgrading of antennas at the Borough Building. Second by Mr. Mazza. On the question: Mayor Tuzinski explained the need for this to be done and stated that he believed this could be paid from COVID funding. All council was in favor and motion passed. With no further business to discuss, a motion to adjourn was made by Mr. McLaughlin and seconded by Ms. Dadurka. Respectfully submitted, Bonnie Arnone, Borough manager