WYOMING BOROUGH
COUNCIL MEETING
Minutes
March 11, 2019
7:30pm
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call:
Mr. Stephen Nalewajko P Attorney Lars Anderson P
Mr. Frank Yurek P Mayor Joseph Dominick P
Mr. Michael Baloga P
Mr. John Lipski P
Mrs. Diane Smiles P
Mr. Joseph Scaltz P
Citizens: 48 Press: 0
Approval of minutes: The minutes of the February 2019 meeting are available for review at the borough office. The minutes are approved on a motion made by Michael Baloga, and seconded by Frank Yurek
Motion Moved
Officers Reports: Reports of the Police Department, Street Commissioner and Code Enforcement Officer for the month of February 2019 have been submitted and placed on file for public inspection.
REPORTS AND COMMITTEES
Administration: Finance and Grants
Chairman
Joseph Scaltz John Lipski Frank Yurek
Motion made to approve cooperation agreement for the Wyoming Borough and VFW.
Motion was made by Frank Yurek
And seconded by Diane Smiles
3 yes- Mr. Nalewajko, Mr. Yurek, Mrs. Smiles
3 no- Mr. Baloga, Mr. Scaltz, Mr. Lipski
Tied- Mayor Dominick voted no Motion not moved
Report:
Payment request form for the Flack Field Memorial Grant/ Wyoming/West Little League forwarded to Ashburn and Associates for processing
Emergency Service: Police and Fire Departments
Chairman
Diane Smiles John Lipski Joseph Scaltz
Motion made on vehicle lease decision for the 2017 Dodge Charger.
Refinance 2017 Dodge Charger with monthly installments
Motion made by Michael Baloga
Seconded by Fran Yurek
Motion Moved
Motion made to approve borough manager, Roseanne Colarusso to move forward and turn in the 2016 Ford Explorer
Motion made by Mr. Lipski
Seconded by Mr. Scaltz
Motion Moved
Report: The Borough recognized Robert Bresnahan from Kuharchik Construction for his generous donation of 5000.00 to the police department. The funds will be used to pay on police cruiser lease.
The Borough commended Officer Mercavitch and Officer McGuirk and Officer Noble for assisting Kurharchik when they replaced the street lights due to the accident on February 13th.
Health and Sanitation: Recycling and Solid Waste
Chairman
Frank Yurek Michael Baloga Diane Smiles
Report: Letters have been mailed to the residents that are delinquent with their 2018 trash payment. They are given 7 days to pay their delinquency. If not paid citations will be served.
Personnel:
Chairman
John Lipski Diane Smiles Joseph Scaltz
Motion made to approve the resolution for the Borough Manager employment term contract.
Motion made by Mr. Lipski
Seconded by Mr. Scaltz
Motion Moved
Motion
made to approve an additional paid weeks’ vacation to the 3 DPW employees due
to them not receiving an annual increase for the fiscal year 2019. Vacation
must be used within the year 2019.
Motion made by Mr. Lipski
Seconded by Mr. Scaltz
Motion Moved
Report:
Public Property: Borough Building and Recreation
Chairman
Frank Yurek Diane Smiles John Lipski
Motion made to seek volunteers for the Wyoming Borough Recreation Board using social media and the Boroughs web site.
Motion made by Mr. Yurek
Seconded by Mr. Scaltz
Motion Moved
.
Report: The Borough annual Easter Egg Hunt will take place Saturday April 20th at 11:00 at Flack Field. Donation letters have been distributed to local business’s within Wyoming Borough and Luzerne County. The Borough Manager will be organizing this event.
Streets and Sewers: Public Works
Chairman
Frank Yurek Joseph Scaltz Diane Smiles
Motion made to review the amended Pave Cut ordinance for 30 days
Motion made by Mr. Baloga
Seconded by Mr. Yurek
Motion Moved
Report- no report
Zoning and Planning:
Chairman
Michael Baloga Frank Yurek John Lipski
Report: no report
Solicitor’s Report Attorney Lars Anderson stated the borough received a law suit in regard to the Pump Station and he will look into insurance coverage
Mayor’s Report
The Police Department responded to _154___ incidents in the month of February 2019.
Mayor Dominick said he was getting a lot of calls about EMS activity.
EMS calls from August 1st 2018 to February 28th 2019-216 calls made which 104 were by West Wyoming. Why is Greater Pittston being used for so many calls?
Mayor stated due to being named in the pending Pump Station Lawsuit, he does not want to participate in any discussion on the subject.
Mayor Dominick
noted that according to by-laws, the appointment of
Frank Yurek should not have been made until the end of his term
Motion brought to floor by Mr. Baloga
Appoint James Blandina for a 5-year term to the WVSA board
Motion made by Mr. Baloga
Seconded by Mr. Scaltz
Yes-Mr. Baloga, Mr. Scaltz, Mr. Lipski
No- Mr. Nalewajko, Mr. Yurek, Mrs. Smiles
Tied – Mayor Dominick voted yes
Motion Moved
Motion brought to floor by Mr. Baloga to authorize Solicitor, Lars Anderson to look into civil action for potential malfeasance for the lease on the 2017 Dodge Charger
Motion made by Mr. Baloga
Seconded by Mr. Scaltz
Motion Moved
Floor opens to the public
Speakers were Coleen Garrison, Jerry Walsh, Barbara Mantione, Pat Skilonger, John Serino
1. Colleen Garrison: Colleen updated the Borough on the process of the Library’s grant. They are unable to pay the fees involved with the Borough and the grant writer. They decided to do it on their own, working with Luzerne County
2. Jerry Walsh: He had a Right to Know request for the borough which was not handled in the time allotted. He suggested that in the future, the council be more attentive to what is going on in the Borough. “How did we get to where we are today”?
3.Barbara Mantione: She brought in documentation from the previous Mayor in regard to the 700 block of Susquehanna Ave. He had stated that he would work with the council in about this matter. Letter is on file. She asked if the solicitor could advice the residents about a civil action against the former Borough Manager. Attorney Anderson stated, he does not represent the residents and can not advise them about this matter.
4: Joe Serino: He said he encountered a Borough councilman in December at the local Price Chopper who used foul language in front of other customers. He stated that he has no animosity to anyone on the council and is very disappointed with this encounter.
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 Mrs. Smiles
Payment of Bills: A listing of bills paid and received for payment have been presented to council and accepted on a motion made by Mr. Baloga and seconded by Mr. Scaltz
Unfinished Business:
Motion to adjourn: Mr. Yurek
Seconded by: Mr. Smiles
Time: 9:04
Date: March 11,2019
Minutes recorded by Borough Secretary/ Treasurer: Mary Sabol