City Council

Forty Fort Borough Council Meeting Monday February 3, 2025 The February 3, 2025, 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, Dave Sieminski, Kristy Dadurka, Sara Michaels, Frank Mazza, Borough Manager Bonnie Arnone, Borough Secretary Michele Pascarella, Solicitor Greg Skibitsky, Police Chief Dan Hunsinger, Code Officer Tom Craig, Code Officer Lee Hampton, DPW Supervisor Rick Kamus and Borough Mayor Brian Thomas There were 46 visitors in attendance. Red Cross Life Saving Award Presentation- The Northeastern Pennsylvania Chapter recognized two officers with the American Red Cross Lifesaving Awards. Officer Dane Sorensen of the Forty Fort Police Department and Officer Jefferson Ramirez of the Kingston Municipal Police Department. Both officers met with the motorcycle victims JD and his wife, Tina. Public Comments Parks and Recreation said February they are collecting donations for the SPCA. Donations can be dropped to the Borough Building. April 15, 2025, from 11-1PM will be the Bunn Hop at Ally’s Chocolate Shop. The Committee thanks Dave Koral for using the facility. There are over 200 kids to be expected. Motion to adopt Resolution No. 4 to appoint (candidate name) to borough council vacancy: 1. Amanda Gallagher 2. Steven Coslett 3. William Scott 4. Drew McLaughlin 5. Amy Carozza Sara Michaels nominated Amanda Gallager and Frank Mazza nominated Drew McLaughlin. There were no other nominees. There was a roll call vote: Frank Mazza- Drew McLaughlin Cara Devine-Amanda Gallagher Dave Sieminski-Amanda Gallagher Kristy Dadurka-Drew McLaughlin Sara Michaels-Amanda Gallagher Thomas Murray- Amanada Gallager A motion was made by Sara Michaels to adopt Motion 4 to appoint Amanda Gallagher to the borough council vacancy and seconded by Cara Devine. All were in favor. Motion passed. 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 the 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:  12/16/24 Council work session minutes  1/6/25 Council Meeting Minutes  December 2024 Code Office Report  December 2024 Forty Fort Police Chief Report  December 2024 Treasure’s Report  December 2024 Manager’s Time Sheets  December 2024 Kingston/Forty Fort Fire Chief Report  December 2024 Tax Collector Report  11/19/24 WVSA meeting minutes  2023 Liquid Fuels Audit Report A motion was made by Cara Devine to approve the consent agenda 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 Frank Mazza. All were in favor. Motion passed unanimously. A motion was made by Cara Devine to transfer $71,350.00 from the Richard Krishock fund to Capital Reserve Fund for the purchase of council meeting table and upgraded trees for the River Street project and was seconded by Dave Sieminski. All were in favor. Motion passed unanimously. A motion was made by Dave Sieminski to transfer $100,000.00 from Capital Reserve to General Fund for operating expenses and seconded by Cara Devine. All were in favor. Motion passed unanimously. A motion was made by Cara Devine to close the Ambulance Fund and move the balance of $644.50 to the General Fund ND SECONDED BY Kristy Dadurka. All were in favor. Motion passed unanimously. A motion was made by Cara Devine to make May 1-23, 2025, Remake Learning Days Proclamation and seconded by Sara Michaels. All were in favor. Motion passed unanimously. A motion was made by Cara Devine with regret to accept the resignation of Mark Schwartz from the Planning Commission and seconded by Dave Sieminski. All were in favor. Motion passed unanimously. A motion was made by Frank Mazza to advertise Ordinance 1 of 2025- Adoption of the Nation Fire Code and seconded by Kristy Dadurka. All were in favor. Motion passed unanimously. New Business Greenways, Trail & Recreation Grant approval for pool repairs- $208,250.00. The committee will meet on Wednesday February 26, 2025, at 5 PM Old Business Astound is scheduled to be built in March/April of this year Around the Table Sara Michaels thanked everyone that was interested in the opening on Council. The quilt in the hallway looks great. Kristy Dadurka echoed Sara’s comments. Kristy also stated she is super excited about the grant Cara Devine echoed Sara’s comment on the interest of the council’s position. Cara hopes that the engagement continues Amanda Gallagher thanked everyone for the opportunity to be on council and is excited to represent Forty Fort Borough Mayor Brian Thomas echoed everyone else’s comments on how many people were interested in the opening of the council position. The quilt that is hanging in the hallway used to hang at the Methodist Church before it closed. Mayor stated that there is now a position on the Planning Commission and if anyone is interested they may contact him. He also thanked the DPW crew for the snow removal. They always do a great job and Forty Fort has the cleanest roads around. The mayor thanked both officers for their heroism and thanked all the officers for their service. Mayor Thomas said GO BIRDS! Thomas Murray thanked everyone who came to the meeting tonight. Adjournment A motion was made by Amanda Gallagher and seconded by Cara Devine to adjourn the meeting at 6:33 pm. The next meeting will be a work session held on Tuesday February 18, 2025, at 6:00PM. Respectfully submitted, Michele Pascarella Borough Secretary