City Council

Forty Fort Borough Council Meeting Monday May 6, 2024 The May 6, 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 prayer 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, 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, and DPW Supervisor Rick Kamus. There were 28 visitors in attendance. Dr. Navid Ahmad, President NEPA cricket association spoke with Council about the alterations that need to be made to the softball field for the cricket field. A motion was made by Cara Devine to allow NEPA Cricket Association to make the necessary changes at the Luzerne County Sports Complex at their expense and was seconded by Dave Sieminski. All in favor. Motion passed. Public Comments Scott Serafin of Dennison Street, who recently resigned from the Civil Service Commission, thanked Council for the opportunity to serve on the Commission. Scott rebuilt the wall at the Dennison House and thanked everyone who helped and gave supplies. He asked Council if mulch or dirt can be placed in front and back of the wall to sturdy it and keep the water from filing in between the fence. Ed Kopec of Edward’s Landscaping stated he will donate the dirt/soil or whatever is needed to keep the wall from falling. LaVerne Corbett of 107 Dana Street let Council know that there is poison hemlock by the first baseball field. LaVerne also volunteered to help with setting up a dog park. She stated socialization with dogs is very helpful and very good for dogs. Borough Manager Bonnie Arnone states she reached out to the County Manager and hasn’t heard anything back. Miss Salley of 106 Center Street asked that more cameras be put in the park to help with safety. Council stated that this is being looked at currently. 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:  3/18/24 Council work session minutes  4/124 Council Meeting Minutes  March 2024 Code Office Report  March 2024 Forty Fort Police Chief Report  March 2024 Treasure’s Report  March 2024 Manager’s Time Sheets  March 2024 Kingston/Forty Fort Fire Chief Report  2/20/2024 WVSA Meeting minutes  March 2024 FF Volunteer Fire Chief Report  March 2024 Tax Collector Report A motion was made by Cara Devine and seconded by Frank Mazza. All were in favor. Motion passed. Correspondence LCB letter re: Liquor License transfer for GM Food Mart (Sunoco Gas Station) 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 was made by Phil Mertz to pass 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 Phil Mertz to accept the resignation of Scott Serafin from the Civil Service Commission-resignation necessary due to his current position on the Airport Board and seconded by Frank Mazza. All in favor. Motion passed. Letters of interest to fill the vacancy on the Civil Service Commission from: 1. William Stone 2. Robert Craig 3. Christine Kutz A nomination was made by Cara Devine to appoint Christine Kutz as the replacement of Scott Serafin to the Civil Service Commission and seconded by Dave Sieminski. A Roll call vote was made, and the roll call votes were yes for the following: Phil Mertz, Frank Mazza, Cara Devine, David Sieminski, Kristy Dadurka, Sara Michaels, and Thomas Murray. Motion passed unanimously. A nomination was made by Frank Mazza to appoint William Stone, there was no second nomination. Motion failed. A motion was made by Cara Devine to appoint alternate member William Stone on the Civil Service Commission. The motion was seconded by Sara Michaels. A Roll call vote was made to select Wiliam Stone as the alternate, and the roll call votes were yes for the following: Phil Mertz, Frank Mazza, Cara Devine, David Sieminski, Kristy Dadurka, Sara Michaels, and Thomas Murray. Motion passed unanimously. Motions for Zoning Ordinance Changes: Roll Call Votes A motion was made by Phil Mertz to amend Section 1016 Parking Commercial or Recreational Vehicles and seconded by Dave Sieminski. A roll call vote was made, and the roll call votes were yes for the following: Phil Mertz, Frank Mazza, Cara Devine, David Sieminski, Kristy Dadurka, Sara Michaels, and Thomas Murray. Motion passed unanimously. A motion was made by Cara Devine to amend Section 1113 Prohibited Signs to Prohibited & Restricted Signs 016 Parking Commercial or Recreational Vehicles and seconded by Kristy Dadurka. A roll call vote was made, and the roll call votes were yes for the following Phil Mertz and Frank Mazza. The roll call votes for no were Cara Devine, David Sieminski, Kristy Dadurka, Sara Michaels, and Thomas Murray. Motion failed. A motion was made by Phil Mertz to amend Section 1201 Zoning Officer and seconded by Cara Devine. A roll call vote was made, and the roll call votes were yes for the following: Phil Mertz, Frank Mazza, Cara Devine, David Sieminski, Kristy Dadurka, Sara Michaels, and Thomas Murray. Motion passed unanimously. A motion was made by Sara Michaels to amend Zoning Map to create C-1 Commercial zone near 1989 Wyoming Ave, and Forty Fort Airport and seconded by Cara Devine. A roll call vote was made, and the roll call votes were no for the following: Phil Mertz, Frank Mazza, Cara Devine, David Sieminski, Kristy Dadurka, Sara Michaels, and Thomas Murray. Motion failed. A motion was made by Phil Mertz to amend Zoning Map to create C-1 Commercial zone between 490 River Street and Edward’s Landscaping & Sgarlat Sand Pit and seconded by Cara Devine. A roll call vote was made, and the roll call votes were yes for the following: Phil Mertz, Frank Mazza, Cara Devine, David Sieminski, Kristy Dadurka, Sara Michaels, and Thomas Murray. Motion passed unanimously. Old Business Spring Clean-up event: Monday May 6, 2024, through Friday May 10, 2024, 6:00 AM to 1:30PM. $50.00 per household per slot. A fall cleanup was suggested. Memorial Day Parade- Monday May 26, 2024, at 10:30 AM- line up will be at 10 AM- Cara Devine suggested a banner, sign or shirts can be made. Memorial Day Service- Sunday May 25, 2004, at 10:00 AM at the Kingston/Forty Fort Fire Department Headquarters- guest speaker will be Phil Mertz Pool Committee Update- Kristy Dadurka stated that things are moving forward. She will send Bonnie Arnone the minutes from the last meeting and the next meeting will be in two weeks. New Business Discussion on possible borough wide trash collection at May work session DCNR Grant for Bike Trail at May work session Around the Table Sara Michaels stated that WV Run the Valley Race committee is very interested in partnering with Forty Fort Borough. Cara Devine-National Night Out will be August 23, 2024. Cara stated that the Recreation Board has an opening, and they are planning a Carnival themed end of school bash for the weekend of 6/14/2024. They are also looking for volunteers to help. Mayor Brian Thomas stated the Cancer Wellness Walk will be Friday5/7/24 and the Party in the Park will be Saturday 5/8/24. The Cemetery reached out to Brian stating they will have a 5K walk on 9/14/24. River Street will be closed that day for approximately 30 minutes. Rick Kamus met with Rob Craig at the pool, and they came up with a lengthy list of things that need to be done. Rick is not sure he can get all the quotes for the work needed done by the deadline. Executive Session Grievance against Volunteer Fire Company personnel. Meeting went into executive session at 7:30 pm Council re-convened the meeting at 8:01 PM. Adjournment A motion was made by Cara Devine to adjourn the meeting at 8:02 pm and was seconded by Frank Mazza. The next meeting will be a work session held on Monday May 20, 2024, at 6:00PM. Respectfully submitted, Michele Pascarella Borough Secretary