City Council

FORTY FORT BOROUGH COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES MONDAY, JUNE 17, 2024 The June work session of the Forty Fort Borough council was held on Monday, June 17, 2024 at the Forty Fort Borough Bldg., 1271 Wyoming Ave., Forty Fort, PA with council president, Thomas J. Murray, III presiding. President Murray called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM with the following council members present: Phil Mertz, Frank Mazza, Cara Devine, Kristy Dadurka, Sara Michaels & David Sieminski via telephone. Also present were Mayor Brian Thomas, Atty. Greg Skibitsky, Chief Dan Hunsinger, Code officials Tom Craig & Lee Hampton, DPW supervisor Rick Kamus & Borough Manager Bonnie Arnone. Mayor Thomas led with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. RESIDENTS AND TAXPAYERS’ COMMENTS: Tom Ruskey, Executive Director of the Cancer Wellness Center at 190 Welles St. thanked council, the Mayor, the Police Dept., the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board & DPW for the assistance provided during the activities surrounding the walks that have raised needed funds for their organization which provides services to cancer patients and their families free of charge. Eric Reinhard, 112 Dana St., spoke with council about some issues with the disc golf course located at the Sports complex. Robert Craig, 1828 Wyoming Ave., presented council with documents showing bills that were paid in 2023 to Starr Uniform and questioned council if they were aware they were being paid. Christine Kutz, 77 Durkee St. spoke about the Civil Service Commission meeting which had been held at 4:00 PM on this date. She, as a newly sworn in member of the Commission, feels that there are members of the Commission that are hindering the hiring progress of a police officer which in turn is creating a safety issue for the borough. Anthony Smith, 35 E. Pettebone St. stated that he does not feel that there is a shortage of officers in the police department and there is no immediate need for the hiring of a new police officer. MINUTES AND REPORTS: Council was presented with Minutes and reports from the prior month for review. These will be voted upon at the July 1, 2024 council meeting. They include the following: 5/20/24 Council work session 6/3/24 Council meeting minutes May 2024 Code Office Report May 2024 Kingston/FF Fire Chief Report May 2024 Treasurer’s Report May 2024 Tax Collector’s Report May 2024 Police Dept. Report May 2024 FF Volunteer Fire Chief Report May 2024 Manager’s Time Sheets 5/16/24 Fire & Police Committee mtg minutes 5/14/24 Planning Commission mtg minutes 4/16/24 WVSA meeting minutes  Mayor Thomas reported that he has received quotes for the solar speed monitoring device that will be placed on Wyoming Ave. near the Wyoming Seminary Lower School. He will present this to the school for their approval. Several 2024 LSA Grant application ideas were discussed, among them being a program to assist homeowners with the removal of dead trees on their tree lawns and the purchase of a stump grinder; several street signs, including but not limited to stop signs, one-way signs, no parking signs, street sweeping signs; new police cruiser purchase; new code vehicle purchase. A request by resident Tom Mertz regarding the alleyway off of Sunset Court has been received relative to the ownership of same. Atty. Skibitsky related that his office had performed a title search of this alleyway some time ago and will check on that once again. Borough Manager, Bonnie Arnone, reported to council that former employee, Robert Downs, will receive his final payment, that being his sick leave buy-back with the 6/26/24 pay in the gross amount of $13,478.40. Sara Michaels, a member of the Civil Service Commission, reported on the Commission meeting that had been held at 4:00 PM on this date. She reported that herself, Christine Kutz, along with alternates, William Stone, Jr. & Donnie Evans were present at the meeting. She reported that herself, Commission chairperson, Rob Swaback & Commission Clerk, Tony Smith, had met with their solicitor, Atty. Lars Anderson recently and that they would be having another meeting with Atty. Anderson on June 26, 2024. Ms. Michaels stated that at today’s meeting, initially, alternate member, Rob Craig was seated at the table in attendance of the meeting. He then began to question the residency of Ms. Michaels stating that he believed she resided in Kingston & not Forty Fort. Ms. Michaels assured Mr. Craig that she did indeed reside in Forty Fort. At this point, Mr. Craig exited the Commission meeting. Mr. Kamus reported that two quotes have been received thus far for cameras at Forty Fort Park. They are: Acme Lock for $13,830.00 and Hillman Security for $16,690.00. We are still awaiting a quote from Nexline. Ms. Devine reminded everyone that the Parks & Recreation Board would be having a music and movie night at the park on July 19th. Mr. Mazza & Mr. Mertz both commended Ms. Michaels for her strength while being questioned by Mr. Craig during the Civil Service Commission regarding her residency stating that it was uncalled for. Mayor Thomas echoed Mr. Mazza & Mr. Mertz’s statement to Ms. Michaels. He also reported that quotes have been received to make the necessary alterations to the handicap swing at the park to make it usable, which is in excess of $18,000.00. Donations are being sought for this project. Ray Elias, Volunteer fire police officer, asked council if they had considered their request for a raise in pay rate from $7.00. Council will vote on this at the July 1, 2024 council meeting. Code officer, Tom Craig, reported that the Air conditioner in the old code vehicle had stopped working so it was being taken out of duty.  Rick Kamus, DPW supervisor, reported provided council with proposals for additional options to offer residents for trash collection. The addition of a 95-gallon trash can and single bag stickers that can be purchased at local stores was presented. This is in addition to our current services being offered. These options will be voted upon at the July 1, 2024 council meeting. Mr. Kamus also provided to council a drawing that was done by WVSA showing a map of Abraham’s creek near the area of Englewood Terrace, Pearl & Terrace Sts., along with a sample of a letter that can be distributed to residents bordering the creek that will be asked to sign an easement allowing WVSA access to their property for maintenance of the creek. A public meeting with these residents is being proposed for prior to the July 15, 2024 council work session and inviting WVSA representatives to attend that meeting. Mr. Murray stated that a Right to Know request had recently been submitted to the Borough requesting copies of permits for the closing of a street among other permits relative to a block party that was held recently on East Pettebone St. in Forty Fort. He stated that this is a block party that is held every year with the only vendor present being Mr. Softee who has a vendor permit with the Borough. Mr. Craig was questioned as to whether or not a permit was needed for this type of event and he stated that the only thing he could find was that during such an event, the noise ordinance is waived. At this point, being 8:00 PM, council adjourned to Executive Session to discuss a pending legal matter. Council re-convened at 8:18 PM from Executive Session and a motion to adjourn was made by Ms. Devine and seconded by Ms. Dadurka. The next meeting will be held on Monday, June 1, 2024 at 6:00 PM. Respectfully submitted, Bonnie Arnone Borough Manager