City Council

Forty Fort Borough Council Meeting Monday April 7, 2025 The April 7, 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 Lee Hampton, DPW Supervisor Rick Kamus and Borough Mayor Brian Thomas. Amanda Gallagher was absent. There were 29 visitors in attendance. Public Comments Parks and Recreation thanked everyone who attended the Bunny Hop and thanked Dave Koral for allowing them to use the building and Ally’s Chocolate. They estimated 1,000 people attended the event. The committee asked for thoughts and prayers for Amanda’s family. Maureen Pascal of 1785 Murray Street asked about the building at 1989 Wyoming Ave being leased by Homeland Security and asked if Forty Fort Borough and/or the Forty Fort Police entered into a memorandum of Agreement with ICE. Both the Council and Chief Hunsinger stated they are not in a MOA. Ellen Beck of 7 Tripp Manor asked Council what the budgeted amount was set aside for recreation. Council did not have this amount on hand and will get back to her with the answer. Ellen also asked what is under the Recreation part of the budget. The council stated all park expenses including electricity, water, port-a-potties and any other utilities. Elen also stated that the Dana Street Elementary School needs a park, she was directed to speak with Wyoming Valley West School District as this in not a borough duty. Lori Girvan of 108 Oak Street let Council know that there has been a Pool Advisory Board, and they have been meeting and working hard on how to get the pool open. They are working on maybe making it a multi community pool, looking into sponsorships and donations. Eric Shaffer of 67 White Rock Terrace, Courtdale asked the Council and Police to please keep and enforce the dog leash law. He and his dog were attacked at the Sports Complex by an unleashed dog. 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: • 2/18/25 Council work session minutes • 3/3/25 Council Meeting Minutes • February2025 Code Office Report • February 2025 Forty Fort Police Chief Report • February 2025 Treasure’s Report • February 2025 Manager’s Time Sheets • February 2025 Kingston/Forty Fort Fire Chief Report • February 2025 Tax Collector Report • 1/21/25 WVSA meeting minutes 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 Dave Sieminski to pay all bills as presented and seconded by Frank Mazza. All were in favor. Motion passed unanimously. Council President stated that all bills that are to be paid at every meeting are on the Council table for anyone to view. A motion was made by Cara Devine to pass Ordinance 3 of 2025- The Shade Tree Ordinance and was seconded by Kristy Dadurka. All were in favor. Motion passed unanimously. A motion was made by Dave Sieminski to Advertise Ordinance 4 of 2025- Amendment to the Permit, Certificates and Fees Ordinance and was seconded by Cara Devine. All were in favor. Motion passed unanimously. A motion was made by Cara Devine to hire Justin Marinos as a part time employee for DPW and was seconded by Sara Michaels. All were in favor. Motion passed unanimously. A motion was made by Sara Michaels to hire Valerie Shrey as a crossing guard and was seconded by Kristy Dadurka. All were in favor. Motion passed unanimously. A motion was Kristy Dadurka to appoint a pool advisory board with the following members: Lori Girvan, Christian Zeme, Rob Craig and Amy Carozza and was seconded by Cara Devine. All were in favor. Motion passed unanimously. A motion was made by Dave Sieminski to award a contract for STMP grant to Kauffer Strategics for the purpose of a study for a new DPW location and seconded by Cara Devine. There was only one bid. All were in favor. Motion passed unanimously. Old Business Rick Kamus reported that the parts needed for the repair & placement of the Handicap Swing at the Forty Fort, Betty Mascelli Park, have been ordered. He reported the timeline of this swing since its purchase. 2025 Spring Clean Up: week of May 12th through the 16th; at the cost of $50.00 for a one-time pick up. The deadline to register is May 9, 2025. More details can be found on the website, fortyfort.org 2025 Annual Community Wide Yard Sale- Saturday, May 3, 2025, rain date is Sunday, May 4, 2025. Proposed Dog Park at the Sports Complex- looking for volunteers to help with the design and any other help that will be needed. There is a possible location at the Sports Complex. Around the Table Sara Michaels let everyone know that she was at the Sports Complex over the weekend and couldn’t believe how many people were down there and how happy she is that all the fields are being used. She reminded everyone that any applications for the Civil Service are due on Friday, April 11, 2025, and that the next Civil Service Commission meeting is Monday April 1, 2025, at 4PM in Council Chambers. Kristy Dadurka thanked Lori Girvan for speaking at the meeting and thanked everyone else on the Pool Advisory Board for all their work. Kristy also thanked Council for approving the board. Mayor Brian Thomas read a card he received from Debbie Koch thanking the Borough for hanging the quilt in the building and how wonderful it looks. Brian reminded everyone who would like to attend the Memorial Service on Sunday May 25, 2025, at 10am at the Kingston Fire House. There will also be a Planning Commission meeting on April 17, 2025. Chief Dan Hunsinger addressed the Facebook post about there being no officers who work for Forty Fort that live in the borough and the 64% turnover rate. Dan Zavada stated there will be an event at the Borough Building on May 18, 2025- Remake Learning Days. The volunteer firemen are also continuing training with West Side Mutual Aid. Rick Kamus let everyone know that his crew has been busy working on mulching, edging flower beds and getting spring cleaning around town done. He also stated that the street sweeper has been around and will try to stick to a schedule for Thursday the east side of town and on Friday’s the west side of town. Council went into Executive Session at 6:57 PM Executive Session To discuss the Collective Bargaining Agreement for the Police Department Council re-convened from the Executive Session at 7:32 PM. Adjournment Motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Sieminski at 7:32 PM and seconded by Ms. Dadurka. The next meeting will be a work session held on Monday April 21, 2025, at 6:00PM. Respectfully submitted, Michele Pascarella Borough Secretary