City Council

Forty Fort Borough Council Meeting Monday March 3, 2025 The March 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, Borough Manager Bonnie Arnone, Borough Secretary Michele Pascarella, Solicitor Greg Skibitsky, Police Chief Dan Hunsinger, Code Officer Tom Craig, DPW Supervisor Rick Kamus and Borough Mayor Brian Thomas. Frank Mazza was absent. There were 19 visitors in attendance. Public Comments Parks and Recreation thanked all for the donations that were given to the SPCA. They had two carloads of donation and were able to give a $100.00 cash donation. They wanted to remind everyone that on April 15, 2025, from 11-1PM will be the Bunn Hop at Ally’s Chocolate Shop at the 900 Rutter Ave building. Ann Verbella President of the Forty Fort Lions Club who is also the director of the 5-mile run/3- mile walk thanked Council and residents for their support over the last 43 years. May 26, 2025, at 9:00 AM. Last year there were over 500 participants. If anyone would like to sign up or volunteer, you may do so at neparunner.com 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: • 1/21/25 Council work session minutes • 2/325 Council Meeting Minutes  • January 2025 Code Office Report • January 2025 Forty Fort Police Chief Report • January 2025 Treasure’s Report • January 2025 Manager’s Time Sheets • January 2025 Kingston/Forty Fort Fire Chief Report • December 2024 Tax Collector Report • 12/10/24 WVSA meeting minutes • 2/5/25 Civil Service Commission meeting minutes • 2024 Year End report for Civil Service Commission • 4th Quarter 2024 SPCA Report A motion was made by Cara Devine to approve the consent agenda and seconded by Sara Michaels. All were in favor. Motion passed. Council Action Items A motion was made by Amanda Gallagher to pay all bills as presented and seconded by Sara Michaels All were in favor. Motion passed unanimously. A motion was made by Cara Devine to adopt Ordinance 1 of 2025- International Fire Code and was seconded by Dave Sieminski. All were in favor. Motion passed unanimously. A motion was made by Cara Devine to advertise Ordinance 2 of 2025- Amended Dog Ordinance for running at large and was seconded by Kristy Daruka. All were in favor. Motion passed unanimously. Wayne Bank Proposal- Council asked Bonnie to contact Luzerne bank to see if they will offer any new rates. There will be a Special Meeting before Monday March17, 2025 work session. Old Business Pool Meeting update-Kristy Dadurka thanked the Mayor and Rick Kamus for being at the meeting. Said the meeting was very productive and they are looking into having another meeting at the end of March. New Business 2025 Spring Clean-Up-week of May 12-16,2025 at the cost of $50.00 2025 Community Wide yard sale- May 3, 2025 Around the Table Amanda Gallagher echoed what the Parks and Recreation committee said about the donations and loved the tour that the SPCA had given them. Dave Sieminski thanked the SPCA for helping the Borough with the cost instead of a $1200.00 bill the Brough received a $340.00 bill. Mayor Brian Thomas stated that on Monday March 10, 2025, the traffic at the Dana School will be different. The Forty Fort Police, Code Officer Lee Hampton and officials from the school will be helping in getting the traffic and drop offs organized as there has been a major safety concern. Sara Michaels thanked the Council for allowing her to be on the Civil Service Commission. She gave an update from the meeting of the process of eligibility list, process to advertise for Sergeant within house, reviewed the current rules and regulations. The Civil Service Commission Board asked the Council to change some of the verbiages, for example change corporal to detective and soldier to veteran. Dan Zavada said the volunteers purchased 2 new cutting blades at $400.00 apiece. They have been training with them with 6 of the volunteers. They are also looking into purchasing a utility vehicle (pick-up truck). Their next meeting is March 17, 2025. Council went into Executive Session at 6:51 PM Executive Session Consideration of the purchase of real estate property Adjournment Council re-convened the meeting following the Executive Session at 7:33 PM and a motion was made to adjourn the meeting by Ms. Devine and seconded by Mr. Sieminski. The next meeting will be a work session held on Monday March 17, 2025, at 6:00PM. Respectfully submitted, Michele Pascarella Borough Secretary