WYOMING BOROUGH
COUNCIL MEETING
Minutes
April 9, 2018
7:30pm
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call:
Mr. Stephen Nalewajko P Mr. Joseph Scaltz P
Mr. Frank Yurek P Mr. Joseph Dominick P
Mr. Michael Baloga P Attorney Shannon Crake Lapsansky P
Mrs. Diane Smiles P
Mr. Michael Flynn P
Approval of minutes: The minutes of the March 2018 meeting are available for review at the borough office.
Approval of minutes: Presented to council accepted on a motion made by,
Mr. Yurek and seconded by Mr. Flynn.
Officers Reports: Reports of the Police Commissioner, Street Commissioner and Code Enforcement Officer, and a copy of the bills paid for the month of March 2018 have been submitted and placed on file for public inspection.
Payment of bills: Presented to council and accepted on a motion made by,
Mr. Yurek and seconded by, Mrs. Smiles.
REPORTS AND COMMITTEES
Personnel:
Chairman
Mike Flynn Diane Smiles Joseph Scaltz
A motion was made to accept the resignation Marcella Starr the current Borough Secretary for any, and all other assignments done by the Borough Secretary effective immediately.
Motion made: Mr. Yurek and seconded by Mr. Baloga.
A motion was made to appoint Borough Clerk, Roseanne Colarusso, to the position of Borough Secretary retroactive to April 1, 2018.
Motion: Motion made by Mr. Yurek and seconded by Mrs. Smiles.
The Wyoming Borough Council recognized the Borough Clerk, Roseanne Colarusso, for bringing into the Borough $17,295 in past due sanitation fees. Her personal diligence along with assistance from the current tax collector, Mr. Paul Konopka, were recognized applauded by the Borough Council.
Administration: Finance and Grants
Chairman
Joseph Scaltz Mike Flynn Frank Yurek
Resolution to allow the Grant Committee to work with Chris Cawley and Darryl Pawlish to define a project for the Luzerne County CDBG 15-million-dollar grant.
Motion: Motion made by Mr. Yurek and seconded by Mr. Flynn.
Resolution to approve Grant Committee to work with Chris Cawley and Darryl Pawlish to Define a project for our Multi Model Grant and the GTR Grant.
Motion: Motion made by Mr. Yurek and seconded by Mrs. Smiles.
A motion was made to approve renewal of revolving lease from FNB Bank for
Police vehicles.
Motion: Motion moved motion to adjourn.
Mayor Dominick asked council if we could fund money for new basketball backboards for Bolin Park. The council needs to know how much money is needed to replace the backboards before agreeing to replace.
Mayor Dominick asked council why no one was advised about the GTR Grant of Act 13 Act. He received email from Chris Cawley, and due to miscommunications between parties the Borough lost out on possible funds? (Solicitor informed the council the Borough can also apply for Act 13 through the County)
Emergency Service: Police and Fire Departments
Chairman
Diane Smiles Mike Flynn Joseph Scaltz
No Report
Health and Sanitation: Recycling and Solid Waste
Chairman
Frank Yurek Michael Baloga Diane Smiles
No Report
A motion was made for the Borough to enter a paper shredding program. The Borough would be reimbursed up to $2,000 per event, limit 2 events per year.
Motion: Motion made by Mr. Yurek and seconded by Mrs. Smiles.
Public Property: Borough Building and Recreation
Chairman
Frank Yurek Diane Smiles Mike Flynn
A motion was made to approve a Resolution/Agreement between the Borough and the SPCA for the acceptance of stray animals found in the borough. Two options are under consideration. The Solicitor reviewed the options with council.
The solicitor noted that most municipalities chose Option B based on the borough’s census which would cost the Borough.55 per number of residents in the Borough. The other choice was Option A, The SPCA would charge $19.00 per animal. With this option the cost is unknown to the Borough, could be less or more in any given year depending on how many strays where brought in. The solicitor noted that the Borough can change the Option at any time during the calendar year.
Motion: Motion made to choose Option B until the statistics come into change.
Council voted: Mr. Nalewajko, Mr. Yurek, Mrs. Smiles, Mr. Flynn, Mr. Scaltz – Yes Mr. Baloga, No
5 Yes and 1 No Motion Approved
Motion made by Mr. Mike Baloga and seconded by Mr. Scaltz to put up the 2009 Tahoe up for bids.
Motion Made: Mr. Flynn, Mrs. Smile, Mr. Yurek, Mr. Nalewajko- No
Mr. Baloga, Mr. Scaltz- Yes
4 yes- 2 no
Motion not passed
Motion made by Mr. Mike Baloga and seconded by Mr. Scaltz to suspend Borough manager Tamra Smith during the pending investigation.
Motion made: Mr. Flynn, Mrs. Smile, Mr. Yurek, Mr. Nalewajko- No
Mr. Baloga, Mr.Scaltz- Yes
4 no – 2 Yes
Motion not passed
Streets and Sewers: Public Works
Chairman
Frank Yurek Joseph Scaltz Diane Smiles
No Report
Zoning and Planning:
Chairman
Michael Baloga Frank Yurek Mike Flynn
No Report
Mayor’s Report
The Police Department responded to 250, not 412 incidents, which included changing of shifts in the month of March 2018.
Mayor Dominick commended Officer Noble for putting an emergency action plan together with New Story.
Mayor Dominick recommended that the Borough sell the 2009 Chevy Tahoe. The Tahoe has over 54,000 miles and was a waste of the taxpayer’s money. The Borough has newer vehicles with AWD and has the same capability as the Tahoe. The Tahoe was turned into an unmarked vehicle without proper notice to all council members. The solicitor responded on behalf of the council that certain expenditures can be made in advance.
Solicitor’s Report
No Report: Nothing to report other than what was discussed in executive session.
Floor opens to the public
Residents who spoke: Lori Michaels, Lynn Pace, Mark Bertocci, Bobby Borzell, Tom Skilonger, John Roberts, Louis Ciampi
Lori Michaels and Lynn Pace: (Crossing guards for the Borough) They appreciate the recent raise of .50, but other crossing guards working for the same school district are receiving a much higher rate. A crossing guard meeting was held in August and it was stated the guards would receive $10.00 an hour. The pay schedule is another issue. They receive their pays monthly, and sometimes have to wait longer to receive their money. They are requesting to be paid every other week. (Borough will contact Wyoming Area regarding $10.00 rate and Lori Michaels will be in charge of getting time sheets to Tamra in a timely manner in order to get paid every other week.)
Mark Bertocci: Complaint about people bypassing traffic light and cutting through other streets. Is it possible to put in a speed bump? He has a concern about safety. The Borough is missing a street sign at 8th, and Monument, and at Wyoming Ave. and, 8th Street. There is also a tree that the branches are covering the sign. (Pen Dot issue) Council will notify DPW supervisor regarding the missing signs.
Bobby Borzell: Recently had an issue at his residence and his wife called 911. Wanted to commend Officer Noble for his professionalism on how he handled the situation. In November of 2017 he inquired about having the corner of Susquehanna Avenue be marked “Handicap”, because of the high blacktop curb. It poses cause for concern because of the high traffic volume of people walking etc. The street sign has also been missing for years. Question about how often the census was performed for the Borough last one done was in 2010. (Solicitor noted the census is done every 10 years, next census will take place in 2020.) Question on what the Borough used the Sewer maintenance fee for. (Mr. Yurek responded: Funds are strictly used for repair to sewers and for grants, unless there is an emergency.) Asked how many units the Borough collects from. (Follow-up will be made with WVSA)
Tom Skilonger: Had 2 concerns, at the January Council meeting he had asked the solicitor what the Mayor’s responsibilities were. And the duties were discussed. Why did the President of council send a letter to 911 stating the Mayor is not in charge of emergency services? Request the council to contact the county to see if the previous Mayor oversaw Emergency Services. Second concern was about Borough Manager Suspension, PA state employment code states general employees may be terminated or suspended at any time for any reason. Pennsylvania is an “At Will State”. Asked how many lawsuits the Borough has outstanding against them? He had also asked if the Borough had insurance to pay for the lawsuits.
John Roberts: Thanked the Borough for the appropriation they received for the Wyoming Library, it was greatly appreciated. John Informed the Borough of the upcoming events, a Book sale April 27th & 28th. A Community Wine Tasting in the park. (More details to follow) Recently served 20 families in Luzerne County. The library would inform the Council with future upcoming events they have planned.
Louis Ciampi Jr.: He is the Vice President of Wyoming, West Wyoming Little league. Thanked, Mayor Dominick and the members of Council for the opportunity to apply for the Grant of $50,000.00 which will be used for bleachers, dugouts, fryers and benches etc. Pointed out donors, Pat Kane of Evergreen made a gracious donation as well as Flack Family and Hose Company #2. The Little League is currently holding a capital campaign to raise money. For every dollar donated the Flack family will match. He mentioned the parking issue at the field when more than one game is being held. Need to have proper planning. Parking is at a premium since the guide rails where installed.
Mrs. Skilonger requested to speak; she arrived late and was unable to sign in. Questioned what the Mayor’s job was? Police and Emergency Services? She had asked Secretary to show minutes from previous meetings. She wanted to see if the conversation regarding her question was posted on the minutes.
Question from Unknown Resident: Why is all the Council not included in making all the decisions? Things are always done behind the other council members back.
Communications: A list of communications received since the last meeting have been presented to council and accepted on a motion made by Mr. Yurek and seconded by Mr. Flynn.
Unfinished Business:
None
Motion to adjourn: Mr. Scaltz
Seconded by: Mr. Flynn
Time: 8:35 pm
Date: April 9, 2018