City Council

Forty Fort Borough Council Meeting Monday March 4, 2023 The March 4, 2024, 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 lead the pray and Mayor Brian Thomas lead 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, Dave Sieminski, Kristy Dadurka, Sara Michaels, Borough Manager Bonnie Arnone, Borough Mayor Brian Thomas, Borough Secretary Michele Pascarella, Solicitor Greg Skibitsky, Code Enforcement Officer Thomas Craig, DPW Supervisor Rick Kamus and Chief Dan Hunsinger. Frank Mazza was absent. There were 28 visitors in attendance. Public Comments Rob Craig of 1828 Wyoming Ave. questioned the Council on several topics including the closure of the pool, the funding of the Admin\EMS office, the new council table and the payment to Starr Uniform that was lost due to a scam. Erin Lucas of 64 Slocum Street asked Council if there will be a pool committee, Council stated that topic is on the agenda. Eric Rinehart of 112 Dana Street asked if it would be ok to plant flowers around the disc golf course by the Girl Scouts. He also asked Council if it would be ok to have a table set up to sell things and was told yes if the person selling gets a solicitation permit. The council stated anyone wishing to get one can’t visit the Code Office. Eric stated that he will be having a fundraiser to raise money for the tee pads. Megan Thomas of 1124 Wyoming Ave.asked if Council would consider having the meetings and work sessions on Zoom or record them so residents that cannot attend be able to join or view them. Consent Agenda Matters listed on 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 minutes & reports listed below are submitted by Borough Council for the review and will be adopted by one motion. These items were presented to the council at the prior month’s work session for review. Motion to approve and/or accept the following consent agenda items: • 1/16/24 Council work session minutes • 2/5/24 Council Meeting Minutes • January 2024 Code Office Report • January 2024 Forty Fort Police Chief Report • January 2024 Treasure’s Report • January 2024 Manager’s Time Sheets • January 2024 Kingston/Forty Fort Fire Chief Report • 12/12/2023 WVSA Meeting minutes • January 2024 FF Volunteer Fire Chief Report • 4th Quarter 2024 SPCA Report Motion was made by Phil Mertz and seconded by Dave Sieminski. All were in favor, motion passed. Council Action Items A motion was made by Cara Devine to pay all bills as presented and seconded by Phil Mertz. All were in favor. Motion passed. A motion to appoint Chris Moore to the Planning Commission was made by Phil Mertz and seconded by Dave Sieminski. All were in favor. Motion passed. A motion was made by Cara Devine to advertise Ordinance 1 of 2024- Flood Plain Ordinance Phil Mertz seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion passed. A motion was made by Phil Mertz to pay Cleveland Brothers $237,898.00 for Composting Wheel Loader from the Capital Reserve Fund. ***Reimbursement through 902 Grant less $23,792.00 Borough Share*** and seconded by Dave Sieminski. All were in favor. Motion passed. A motion was made by Cara Devine to switch telephone and fax services from Comcast to NexLine and seconded by Phil Mertz. All were in favor. Motion passed. New Business Pool Committee- Kristy Dadurka stated she would chair the committee. Discussion will be had at the work session on what the goal of the committee will be. Around the Table Dave Sieminski found a fire hazard and contacted Rick who then contacted the water company, and the issue was fixed. Cara Devine asked that the pool committee be added to the agenda for the work session. Chief Dan Hunsinger wanted to tell council and residents to make sure if they are not already subscribed to subscribe to the Crime Watch page on www.fortyfort.org Rick Kamus stated Varsity should be changing the dogwoods on River St. within the month. He also stated that street sweeping will be starting soon with a Thursday and Friday schedule. Tom Craig stated the Fire & Safety inspections are coming along well. He also wants to talk to Attorney Skibitsky about the Quality-of-Life Ordinance to do with rubbish. Tom Murray asked all residents to make sure they are aware of the Leash Ordinance that all dogs should be on a leash and a reminder to pick up all dog excrement. Executive Session To discuss DPW personnel issues To discuss Police Department legal matter Police Department Contract issues Adjournment Meeting went into executive session at 7:05 pm Council re-convened at 7:54 PM. Motion by Ms. Devine to adjourn the meeting at 8:22 with a second by Mr. Mertz. Motion carried. The next meeting will be a work session held on Monday, March 18, 2024, at 6:00PM. Respectfully submitted, Michele Pascarella Borough Secretary