City Council

Forty Fort Borough Council Meeting Monday June 2, 2025 The June 2, 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 Lukesh thanked Council, and everyone involved in the hanging of the quilt in the stairwell of the Borough building and 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, Kristy Dadurka, Sara Michaels, Amanda Gallagher, Borough Manager Bonnie Arnone, Borough Secretary Michele Pascarella, Solicitor Greg Skibitsky, Police Chief Dan Hunsinger, Code Officer Tom Craig, and Borough Mayor Brian Thomas. Frank Mazza and Dave Sieminski were absent. There were 23 visitors in attendance. Public Comments Forty Fort Parks & Recreation Tori Carey stated for the month of June there will be a box at the River Street entrance of the Borough building for a collection for the Cancer Wellness Center of NEPA. Amanda stated they are located right here in Forty Fort, on Welles Street. Every service they provide is free to those during their cancer journey, and for their families. They provide massages, reflexology, acupuncture, sound therapy and personal training. They also have support groups. Anthony Smith of 35 East Pettebone read a statement and asked Council about why they are getting rid of the CODY system and changing to the Pathfinder RMS as this will be costly to the borough. He also asked who authorized and why the police are getting new guns. Amy Carozza of 57 Yeager Ave asked what the motion to engage the Services of Bensch for engineering project was. Council stated that Bensch is a more local business and is cheaper. 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: • 4/21/25 Council work session minutes • 5/5/25 Council Meeting Minutes • April 2025 Code Office Report • April 2025 Forty Fort Police Chief Report • April 2025 Treasure’s Report • April 2025 Manager’s Time Sheets • April 2025 Kingston/Forty Fort Fire Chief Report • April 2025 Tax Collector Report • 3/18/25 WVSA meeting minutes • SPCA 1st Quarter 2025 Report A motion was made by Cara Devine to approve the consent agenda and seconded by Amanda Gallagher. All were in favor. Motion passed. Council Action Items A motion was made by Cara to pay all bills as presented and seconded by Sara Michaels. All were in favor. Motion passed unanimously. 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 promote Richard Vaow to the position of Sergeant and was seconded by Amanda Gallagher. All were in favor. Motion passed unanimously. Mayor Brian Thomas swore in Richard Vaow as Sergeant. Vaow’s wife and children pinned his badge and stripes on his uniform A motion was made by Cara Devine to reimburse the General Fund the cost of the guns for the Police Department in the amount of $9,049.60 from the Capital Reserve Fund and was seconded by Sara Michaels. All were in favor. Motion passed unanimously. A motion was made by Cara Devine to request the Civil Service Commission to initiate the testing for detective and was seconded by Kristy Dadurka. All were in favor. Motion passed unanimously. A motion was made by Cara Devine to engage the services of Benesch for engineering project and was seconded by Amanda Gallagher. All were in favor. Motion passed unanimously. A motion was made by Cara Devone to purchase Pathfinder RMS for records and management in the Police Department and was seconded by Amanda Gallagher. All were in favor. Motion passed unanimously. A motion was made by Kristy Dadurka to advertise Ordinance 5 of 2025 Amendment to the Zoning Ordinance and was seconded by Sara Michaels. All were in favor. Motion passed unanimously. New Business Three 20204 LSA Grants were approved: $75,000.00 for Public Works Equipment $65,000.00 for a Police Cruiser $50,000.00 for server upgrades Dave Sieminski will fill the finance council committee vacancy Old Business Pool Advisory Update- Kristy Dadurka-Kristy stated they will have their meeting on Wednesday June 4, 2025, at 5PM. Dog Park- County Council meeting extended to June 10, 2025- Dave Sieminski Around the Table Sara Michaels thanked the Forty Fort Police Department, and everyone else involved with the parling at Dana Street and Oak Street. Sara also made a statement as to being upset about comments being made publicly and on social media. Kristy Dadurka stated how excited she is about the Fall Festival and said she will help the Parks & Recreation committee if needed. Amanda Galagher also stated how upset she is about public comments and social media comments being made and said she will not stop working for Forty Fort and making this town one of the best around. Mayor Brian Thomas thanked everyone involved in the Memoria Day parade. He said it was a great day and is so proud to be a part of it. Chief Dan Hunsinger thanked Council for their support of the Police Department. Ray Elias stated the fire truck is being upfitted and it will take 2-4 weeks to complete. Thomas Craig thanked Council for approving the Amendment of Zoning Ordinance. He stated he is now working with the Forty Fort Airport with adding 2 hangers and a weather station. Adjournment A motion was made by Kristy Dadurka at 7:11 PM and seconded by Sara Michaels for adjournment. The next meeting will be a work session held on Monday June 16, 2025, at 6:00PM. Respectfully submitted, Michele Pascarella Borough Secretary