City Council

Forty Fort Borough Council Meeting Monday July 1, 2024 The July 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. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag Reverend Lukish led the prayer and Mayor Brian Thomas led 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, Code Enforcement Office Lee Hampton, Chief Dan Hunsinger and DPW Supervisor Rick Kamus. There were 29 visitors in attendance. Public Comments Miss Salley of 106 Center Street stated the women in charge of the Recreation and Pool (for last 9 years) in Kingston is willing to help with anything that the pool committee may need. Robert Craig of 1828 Wyoming Ave read a letter that was sent to Solicitor Skibitsky from Attorney Michael Miller stating that he was the solicitor for the Civil Service Commission. This was rebutted by Skibitsky with the reading of his response to Attorney Miller stating that there is a document signed by Chairman Swaback engaging Atty. Lars Anderson as the solicitor for the Civil Service Commission dated June 13, 2024. Christine Kutz of 77 Durkee Street recapped the Civil Service Commission meeting that was on June 26, 2024. Mrs. Kutz said she was shocked at the behavior of the members of the Commission and embarrassed by the conducting of the meeting. Linda Kulp of 46 Oak Street questioned if there was an investigation into the hacking that took place in 2023. Solicitor Skibitsky stated that there was a complete investigation, and the employee was exonerated. Anthony Smith of 35 East Pettebone Street addressed council about issues with the police department and his opinions on whether there is a need for another full-time police officer. Pam Smith of 64 East Pettebone Street asked if everyone was aware of the litigation between The Lake Lehman School Board and Republican Candidate Jamie Walsh for a 2022 lawsuit alleging Sunshine Act violations which she believes will happen to Forty Fort. Mrs. Smith asked the Council when will meetings be recorded, broadcasted and asked if microphones could be added so that everyone could hear. She also asked when the hyperlinks on the posted council agendas would be provided to the public. 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:  5/20/24 Council work session minutes  6/3/24 Council Meeting Minutes  May 2024 Code Office Report  May 2024 Forty Fort Police Chief Report  May 2024 Treasure’s Report  May 2024 Manager’s Time Sheets  May 2024 Kingston/Forty Fort Fire Chief Report  4/16/24 WVSA Meeting minutes  May 2024 FF Volunteer Fire Chief Report  May 2024 Tax Collector Report  5/16/24 Fire & Police Committee meeting minutes  5/14/24 Planning Commission meeting minutes A motion was made by Cara Devine and seconded by Sara Michaels. All were in favor. Motion passed. Council Action Items A motion was made by Dave Sieminski to pay all bills as presented and seconded by Cara Devine. All were in favor. Motion passed. A motion was made by Kristy Dadurka to add additional trash services offered by Borough DPW- 95 gallon can service, individual bag service and bulk item and was seconded by Cara Devine. All were in favor. Motion passed. A motion was made by Sara Michaels to purchase Evolution 18 Solar Radar Speed Monitoring System which will be reimbursed by Wyoming Seminary Lower School and seconded by Kristy Dadurka. All were in favor. Motion passed. Mayor thanks Wyoming Seminary Lower School for the reimbursement. A motion was made by Cara Devine to remove Robert Swaback from the Civil Service Commission and seconded by Dave Sieminski. A Roll call vote was made to remove him from the Commission and the roll call vote was yes for the following Phil Mertz, Frank Mazza, Cara Devine, Dave Sieminski, Kristy Dadurka and Thomas Murray. Sara Michaels abstained from the roll call vote due to being a member of the Civil Service Commission. Motion passed. A motion was made by Cara Devine to remove Robert Craig as an alternate from the Civil Service Commission and seconded by Phil Mertz. A Roll call vote was made to remove him from the Commission and the roll call vote was yes for the following Phil Mertz, Frank Mazza, Cara Devine, Dave Sieminski, Kristy Dadurka and Thomas Murray. Sara Michaels abstained from the roll call vote due to being a member of the Civil Service Commission. Motion passed. A motion was made by Cara Devine to remove Tony Smith as the Clerk of the Civil Service Commission and seconded by Dave Sieminski. A Roll call vote was made to remove him from the Commission and the roll call vote was yes for the following Phil Mertz, Frank Mazza, Cara Devine, Dave Sieminski, Kristy Dadurka and Thomas Murray. Sara Michaels abstained from the roll call vote due to being a member of the Civil Service Commission. Motion passed. A motion was made by Dave Sieminski to appoint William F Stone Jr. to vacancy on the Civil Service Commission and seconded by Cara Devine. Onto question Phil Mertz asked to have a special meeting before the work session to review the applicants. A motion was made by Phil Mertz to rescind the motion and Kristy Dadurka seconded. All were in favor motion passed. A motion was made by Phil Mertz to amend the agenda to table the motion and seconded by Kristy Dadurka. Motion passed. A motion was made to advertise for a full voting member to the Civil service Commission by Phil Mertz and seconded by Kristy Dadurka. Motion passed. A motion was made by Phil Mertz to amend the agenda for an alternate to the Civil Service, Kristy Dadurka seconded the motion. Motion passed. All were in favor. Sara Michael abstained from voting as she is a Civil Service Commission member. A motion was made by Dave Sieminski to accept the resignation of James Shedlarski Jr. as Fire Chief of the Borough of Forty Fort effective July 31, 2024, and seconded by Cara Devine. All in favor. Motion passed. Old Business Pool Committee Update- Kristy Dadurka stated that a grant was submitted for funding for the pool. Since they are waiting to hear back about the grant there is no meeting set for the month of July. Kristy will get the last meeting minutes to Bonnie soon. Meeting with Luzerne County regarding Dog Park at Sports Complex- Bonnie Arnone and Rick Kamus met with the County and they are on board with the going forward with a dog park. Public Meeting for July work session postponed. Around the Table Phil Mertz let the audience know that the Council is trying the Owl which will record the meetings. He also stated that microphones will be looked at so that everyone will be able to hear. Mayor Brian Thomas stated he is looking into a program for the trees on the tree lawn. Many of the trees in town are aged and need to be removed. The program would identify which trees need to be cut down and/or trimmed and will offer an option to help the residents. Dave Sieminski stated that no fireworks should be going off due to the July 4 th holiday as the ordinance states no fireworks are to be let off within 150 feet of any structure. Thomas Craig said the Ford Escape Code car passed inspection. Not sure how much longer the car will make it with the rust of the vehicle. He also asks to look into a sidewalk ordinance. Bonnie Arnone let the Council know that a resident came in and asked to have a block party. Code Office will create an application for block parties going forward. Adjournment A motion was made by Phil Mertz and seconded by Sara Michaels to adjourn the meeting at 7:19 pm. The next meeting will be a work session held on Monday July 15, 2024, at 6:00PM. Respectfully submitted, Michele Pascarella Borough Secretary