City Council

Forty Fort Borough Council Meeting Monday April 1, 2024 The April 1, 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. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag Mayor Brian Thomas lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll Call President Thomas Murray ordered a roll call. Members in attendance were President Thomas Murray, Frank Mazza, 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, Code Officer Lee Hampton, DPW Supervisor Rick Kamus and Chief Dan Hunsinger. Vice President Cara Devine was absent. There were 50 visitors in attendance. Public Comments Nadine Hazlinsky of 56 Oak Street highly recommended the amendment of the dog leash ordinance as she was attacked at the field as she was running last year. She said this amendment will protect all people. Ellie H0ttenstein of 22 Clarks Lane of Plains stated that a group of people that take their dogs to the fields daily had to take her dog to the vet as it became high on marijuana. She stated two other dogs ended up at the Vet with the same symptoms saying they ingested something. Ellen Beck of 7 Tripp Manor asked that the Borough could do anything to save the pool. Also asked if there was any news on the pool committee or estimates. Councilwoman Kristy Dadurka stated that there is an update in tonight’s agenda. Rob Craig of 1828 Wyoming Ave. passed out a flyer to all the council. He stated that there are two barriers to opening the pool this season. One is the repairs that need to be done and the other being the pool being in deficit. He said since the Borough Manager is bonded under the bill bond the money that was in the scam should be covered besides the $2500.00 deductible. Rob stated if we received this money the pool could open this season. Rob also questioned the council on knowing of the pay raises of the Borough manager over the years. There was also a question on the additional funding from the Kingston/Forty Fort operating agreement. Pam Smith of 64 East Pettebone Street made a comment that she feels there is a mismanagement of funds. Sharon Smith of 35 East Pettebone asked several questions on the budget and has many concerns about issues that are going on. She stated that when the police asked for a raise there was no money, she wondered where Officer Tyler Norton’s money went to after he left. She also stated that there should have been disciplinary action taken when the scam happened. Anthony Smith of 35 East Pettebone stated that today was his last day of work with the Forty Fort Police Department after 8 years of service. He thanked the Mayor and Council for reaching out. He also thanked the officers that he worked with and the residents of Forty Fort. He asked if an exit interview can be done so he can let Council know of issues he believes are happening that is resulting in his resignation. Tony brough up the leash law ordinance and he believes Forty Fort Borough does not need this but needs to remind residents to pick up their animals excrement that this is the complaints that he hears. Amy Corrozza of 57 Yeager Ave thanks Sergeant Smith for his service. She asked if she could be on the pool committee. Amy also asked if the money that was donated years ago could be used to save the pool. She spoke with Michael Kavoor from Superior Pools and Spa, and he is willing to come and give an estimate on the work that needs to be done. DPW Supervisor Rick Kamus said he will reach out to him for help. Corky Krupp of 76 Virginia Terrace voiced concern of people not stopping at stop signs and that the signage needs to be replaced as they cannot be read anymore. LaVerne Corbett of 107 Dana Street believes that there are times and places where and when your dog should be on a leash. LaVerne also stated that she is the treasurer for WVW club and anytime anything is paid from their account 2 signatures are needed and a report is given each meeting. Jake Potrzuski of 252 River Street questioned why the borough received a riot gear grant but cannot receive a pool grant. Miss Salley of 106 Center Street believes the dog leash ordinance should be enforced as she has been attacked three sperate times. Each time was reported to the police. Miss Salley also stated she cannot attend meetings as she has CCD on Mondays and school was off on this day and she was able to attend. She also asked that the use of cameras is being utilized at the park to keep our children and residents safe. She was at the park one time when people were bothering a person using the job johnny, the police were contacted and when arrived there was no longer an issue. Miss Salley asked Council to really work on getting the pool to open and asked to really push daily passes. 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 resolutions listed below are submitted by Borough Council for 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: • 2/20/24 Council work session minutes • 3/4/24 Council Meeting Minutes  • 3/11/24 Special Council Meeting Minutes • February 2024 Code Office Report • February 2024 Forty Fort Police Chief Report • February 2024 Treasure’s Report • February 2024 Manager’s Time Sheets • February 2024 Kingston/Forty Fort Fire Chief Report • 1/16/2024 WVSA Meeting minutes • February 2024 FF Volunteer Fire Chief Report • February 2024 Tax Collector Report Motion was made by Phil Mertz and seconded by Dave Sieminski. All were in favor, motion passed. Correspondence Firemen’s Relief Association audit report January 2020 to December 20224 Resignation letter from Police Sargeant Tony Smith effective April 2, 2024 Council Action Items A motion was made by Phil Mertz to pay all bills as presented and seconded by Frank Mazza. All were in favor. Motion passed. A motion was made by Phil Mertz to accept the resignation of Police Sergeant Tony Smith effective 4/24/24 and seconded by Kristy Dadurka with regret. All were in favor. Motion passed. Council thanked him for his service to the borough. A motion was made by Dave Sieminski to pass Ordinance 1 of 2024- Flood Plain Ordinance (Amended Flood Plain Ordinance required by FEMA due to revised flood mapping) and seconded by Phil Mertz. All were in favor. Motion passed. A motion was made by Phil Mertz to advertise Ordinance 2 of 2024- Dog Ordinance (amendment to the dog ordinance mandating that all dogs in public be on a leash) and seconded by Dave Sieminski. All were in favor. Motion passed. A motion was made by Kristy Dadurka to donate $200.00 to Kingston/Forty Fort Baseball & softball for field signs (donation for two Forty Fort Borough Council signs at the Kingston/Forty Fort fields) and seconded by Dave Sieminski. All were in favor. Motion passed. A motion was made by Dave Sieminski and seconded by Phil Mertz to contribute $16,000.00 from the Capital Reserve Fund towards the purchase of a ladder truck for the Kingston/Forty Fort Department. (contribution towards the $90,000.00 + deficit on the new ladder truck for the Kingston/Forty Fort Fire Department). A Roll call vote showed the following: Phil Mertz, Frank Mazza, Dave Sieminski, Kristy Dadurka, Sara Michaels, and Tom Murray all voted yes. Cara Devine was absent from the vote. A motion was made by Phil Mertz to approve the memorandum of understanding for an accreditation stipend for police (quarterly stipend of $1,500.00 for full-time police and part-time police officers completing 9 shifts in a quarter in acknowledgment of the Police Department Accreditation achievement) and seconded by Dave Sieminski. All were in favor. Motion passed. . Old Business Spring Cleanup event: Monday May 6, 2024, through Friday May 10, 2024, 6:00 AM to 1:30PM (residents must pre-register at fortyfort.org or at the Borough building by May 3, 2024. More information will be forthcoming on our website and Facebook page) New Business Pool Committee Report- Kristy Dadurka (Committee formed to formulate a plan to raise funds for immediate needed repairs and the sustainability of the pool going forward, including management of the facility). Kristy stated that herself, Cara Devine, and Sara Michaels met with Mayor Brian Thomas and DPW Supervisor Rick Kamus to discuss the repairs and everything else that needs to be done. There is now a 12 person Pool Committee. Memorial Day Parade Announcement- Mayor Brian Thomas (2024 Memorial Day Parade will begin at Kingston Corners at 10:30 AM on May 27, 2024, and proceed to the Forty Fort Cemetery where a ceremony will be held) Around the Table Kristy Dadurka asked what the last page of the flyer that Rob Craig handed out meant since he couldn’t discuss since his 5-minute comments ran out. Phil Mertz asked to sit with Police Sergeant Tony Smith for his exit interview. This will be added to the agenda for the work session on April 15, 2024, in an executive session. Solicitor Greg Skibitsky told Jake Potrzuski and his mother that they should be very proud of him. This is the 2nd meeting he attended that he spoke at. Greg said the stamina and courage that Jake must stand in front of a crowd of a 7-person Council is very commendable. Adjournment A motion was made by Kristy Dadurka to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 pm and was seconded by Dave Sieminski. The next meeting will be a work session held on Monday April 15, 2024, at 6:00PM. Respectfully submitted, Michele Pascarella Borough Secretary