City Council

MOSCOW BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 5, 2024 Arthur Pencek, President Art Pencek called the February 5, 2024 regular meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following Council members were either present or absent: Rosemarie Warner (Mayor) Present Joseph Castrogiovanni Present Arthur Pencek (President) Present Dennis Cawley Absent Edward Gaughan (Vice-President) Present Marc Gaughan Present Paula Bechaver Present William Heim Present Also present were: Attorney Bruce Zero (Moscow Borough Solicitor), George Parker (Zoning and Code Enforcement Officer) Amy Carlson (Business Office Manager) Colin Young (Fire Chief) Ivy Brenzel (Police Chief), Jason Castrogiovanni, (Junior Council), Katherine Barker (Junior Council), Karen Bianchi (Moscow Resident) Max Bianchi (Moscow Resident) Louise (No last name available), (citizen), Two unidentified by name citizens (back right row of council room) Maria Lucarine (Moscow resident) Rocco Lucarine (citizen) Katrina Powell (citizen) James Powell (citizen) Citizen’s Comments Moscow resident, Maria Lucarine requested an update from Council regarding business owner Chuck Garnett on 149 Market Street to remove the fencing located near R146 Market Street. Art Pencek asked George Parker, Moscow Borough Zoning Officer to address. George stated he had no further information since the last Council Meeting. Moscow Borough solicitor Bruce S. Zero asked Moscow Volunteer Fire Chief Colin Young if the fence creates a problem for them to get to a fire back there” Colin replied “in the back/rear of the property yes, closer to the front not necessarily but it would definitely be a challenge.” Attorney Zero asked Chief “Does the fence present an obstruction to effectively fight a fire?” Chief Young responded “It depends on the scenario.” Atty Zero also read aloud part of Moscow Borough ordinance which Mr. Garnett requested at the last meeting “ Zoning Ordinance 266-2021 Article VII Section 728 Paragraph K Sub- Paragraph 3 states “Fences gates or walls that may create or enhance a fire hazard or other dangerous condition or may result in the obstruction to effectively fight a fire is prohibited” Atty Zero instructed George to issue a letter with the ordinance requesting the fence be moved 13 feet requesting Mr. Garnett adjust the space Atty. Zero suggested if there is an easement included in Ms. Lucarine’s deed and Mr. Garnett is obstructing that easement, that is a matter of the property owners and they would need to take to court themselves, whether magistrate or court of common pleas. Approval of Minutes The reorganization meeting was held on January 2, 2024. Minutes were submitted for review and approval. Motion was made by Marc Gaughan to accept reorganization minutes as written. Motion was seconded by William Heim. The motion carried unanimously. The monthly Council meeting was held on January 2, 2024. Minutes were submitted for review and approval. Motion was made by Joseph Castrogiovanni to accept council meeting minutes as written. Motion was seconded by Paula Bechaver. The motion carried unanimously. Moscow Volunteer Fire & Hose Company Chief Colin Young reported on the following: There were 15 fire related calls and 75 EMS calls for the month of January 2024. William Heim made a motion to approve Senate Bill 94 which requires annual approval for members of the Moscow Fire and Hose Company who are not directly related to firefighting to participate in the following activities. Maintenance of the company property or vehicles, Administrative duties, community events, parades and fundraising events. Joseph Castrogiovanni seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. General Correspondence Laurel Lines Vol 51, Issue 1 an informational piece was submitted for review. Treasurer’s Report The treasurer’s report was submitted by Elizabeth Murray, Treasurer for the month of January 2024 and lists of bills to be paid from the general fund and liquid fuels fund. Marc Gaughan made a motion to accept the Treasurer's Report as reported and to pay the bills as presented. Paula Bechaver seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously with a roll call vote. Monthly Reports for January 2024 were submitted for review (payroll transactions by payee, deposit detail and general fund register for review) The motion carried unanimously with a roll call. Real Estate Tax Collector's Report Real Estate Tax Collector's Report from December 2023 and Real Estate Tax Collector's Report from January 2024 were submitted for review. Financial Report Bill Heim stated Certificate of Deposit acct Ending in 3302 from Peoples Security Bank & Trust renewed at the interest rate of 4.75% for 1-year maturity. Bill Heim stated a letter dated January 10, 2024 from Kristen Sims, Audit Manager or the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation was received regarding acknowledgement showing receipt of deposit information of reimbursement of $2,310.00 into Moscow Borough Liquid Fuels account required from 2022 audit. Business Office Amy Carlson, Business Office Manager stated the business office will be placing advertisement on Municibid for bids on the 2017 Ford F350 once Mark Mecca provides information to submit. Civil Service Commission Moscow Borough Civil Service Commission minutes from annual and reorganization meeting held on January 8, 2024. Kevin Strausser was named president, John Franklin was named Vice-President. Art Pencek stated that the commission is currently for an alternate member. Streets/Planning Commission/Council of Governments The annual Planning Commission Reorganization meeting was held on January 29, 2024. Joseph Fesolovich was appointed president, David Martin was appointed Vice-President and Nichole Musewicz was appointed Secretary. Marc Gaughan made a motion regarding an email dated January 29, 2024 received from MarKoz Realty (Harmony Hills Phase III) requesting additional 120-Day extension deadline. New deadline request will be February 21, 2024 up to and including June 19, 2024. Ed Gaughan seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously with a roll call vote. Zoning Officer Report George Parker, PE submitted Monthly Report for the month of January 2024. Parks and Recreation Paula Bechaver reviewed email dated January 24, 2024 from PA State Representative Kyle Donahue, 113 District with update regarding monies for the rubber mulching project. Kyle had submitted request for the Moscow Borough to receive funding through his office and is awaiting approval. Paula gave update to rehabilitate the park areas and provide improvements to the community recreational spaces of Clover Park/Harmony Hills Park. On August 16, 2023 the Moscow Borough LSA grant application was submitted for this project. Our grant writer had informed us that it could be as early as February 2024 or as late as July of 2024 to be reviewed and notification of approval if at all. Unfortunately, the borough does not have the funding of that magnitude to complete anything in-house at this time. Right now, it is a waiting process. Mark Mecca working on getting Golden Park fencing from 2020 Lackawanna County reinvest grant needed to be used which may be holding up the borough from being approved for any other reinvest grants. Deadline to use is June 2, 2024. Paula also working on Old Mill Park Annual Report for submission to Lackawanna County. Shade Tree Commission Dan Schilling, president of the Moscow Borough Shade Tree Commission submitted the annual Shade Tree Commission report for review. Atty Bruce Zero had a question as to the Harmony Hills trees is there any ordinance that the property owners are responsible to replant them. Paula stated she reached out to Dan Schilling according to him because its off the right-of- way the Shade Tree Commission is not responsible to replace them. Atty Zero stated he will check the Borough Ordinance for more clarification. Police Report Chief Brenzel gave the police report for the month of January 2024. There were at total of 84 911-calls and 83 cleared calls for the month, also several events and training. Marc Gaughan stated he saw on duty Moscow Borough Police officer Friday evening at Slingshots on Main Street in Moscow, purchasing a t-shirt contributing to the fundraiser for Detective Kyle Gilmartin of the Scranton Police Department which was a huge success. Recycling Joe Castrogiovanni stated Christmas tree recycling has been concluded as of January 31, 2024. Municipal Building Art Pencek announced that the generator was delivered on Wednesday December 20, 2023. The generator has successfully been installed. Mark Mecca DPW Director will report back when it is up and running which is anticipated to be within the next month. Solicitor Bruce S. Zero Congratulations were on board from the Moscow Borough Council to Attorney Bruce S. Zero and family on the birth of his grandson. Moscow Sewer Authority: A motion was made by William Heim on email dated January 22, 2024 from Marylou Butler, ESC Design Inc. regarding LSA Grant Extensions for Sanitary Sewer Line Extension on Church Street. Ed Gaughan seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously with a roll call vote. Adjournment Motion was made by Joe Castrogiovanni to adjourn the meeting. Motion was seconded by Bill Heim. The motion carried unanimously. Minutes submitted by Amy Carlson