This Meeting was recorded for Accuracy
Meeting opened by Lou McLaughlin, President
Present: Keith St.Clair, Sue Bartow, Tyler Hughes, Myers Miller, Lou McLaughlin- President, Barbara Brzezanski and Brian Litzinger- Solicitor
Absent: CJ Stouffer - Mayor
General Public: Anna Bello-Latrobe Bulletin, Gladine McMaster, Melissa Miller, Thomas Brzezanski
Approval of April minutes After review, Keith motions to accept minutes, 2nd by Sue, all in favor Motion passed
Approval of Treasurer Report Sue questioned why the reimbursement for truck mileage is still on the Treasurer Report. Lou to have the funds removed.
After review, Keith motions to accept report, 2nd by Sue all in favor motion passed.
Public Comment: none
Old Business:
- Date on Tom Boyle situation. Lou stated that the Boro cleared up the gravel and the State repaired the sidewalk and curb
- Update on Penn Sweeping – charged less than what quoted
- Upcoming elections. May 12. Office will be closed
- Sue again questioned the automatic lights timing
- Lou stated no new information on the truck recall.
New Business:
- Yard Sale date June 13
- Clean Up date June 20
- Porta-Johns being delivered by the 15th of May for the summer
- Sue Bartow stated that there are 4 properties that are in violation of the grass height ordinance.
- New weed Wacker purchased. Old one is fixed, however weak. Sue motioned to allow payment, Lou 2nd, motion passed
Any other Business:
Letter: None
Monthly Borough Assoc meeting: the date is May 28 and Barbara will attend.
Mayor Report:
Sewage Report: Sue Bartow stated it is scheduled to meet week of April 6
Street Commissioner Report: Lou said working on stuff. Cleaning up what sweeper missed, fixing pot holes in alleys.
Parks & Rec: Melissa said the top playground to be delivered June 4 and the white building and wooden structure needs to go. Concession stand to be cleaned from all damaged food and drinks as well as thrown out. Lou to inspect immediately following this meeting. Melissa also requested that the Boro workers remove the top layer of grass and that the Amish will do the rest.
1st concert is May 24 from 4-6 pm and the band is K4Country.
Other Business
Thomas Brzezanski spoke up and said: My understanding based on the ordinance, is supposed to be presented to the Council and then the Council votes on the allegation. Lou said: that’s correct. In the statement for the notification, the Council approves, the notice, if the Board approves, the notice then goes to the code enforcer and the individual will be notified either in person or by 1st class US mail. Lou stated: that’s correct. This copy is a text message that my sister received and I find it is rude and disrespectful to say Hey You and the Board not knowing about it. Sue stated: as I told Barb when she moved in, I cut and cut and cut the grass before she moved in that I cut and cut and cut the grass and trimmed the bushes, and she knew this, and this message I wanted to send as a heads up as the people who are in violation. I have to give Barb the peoples address because she didn’t know and the people in violation will be getting notified. Thomas asked: have you presented it to the Council for review? Sue stated: no. Thomas asked: as a Council Member were you designated by the Council to do or review Ordinance violations? Is that part of your responsibility as a Council Member? Thomas asked: yes or no? Sue responded: I don’t know that but I was just giving her a head up. Thomas said: my understanding is, and I don’t remember who told me, but as a Council Member, you have no responsibilities. So, by you doing this, you’ve exaggerated your responsibilities. You’ve put the Council in an untenable and embarrassing situation and it should be discussed by Council, and my recommendation would be to have you, as a Council Member be dismissed for exaggerating your responsibility, taking on a responsibility that was not delegated to you. Sue stated: that’s up to the Board and like I was saying, I was giving her a heads up and I sent it to Barb. Thomas stated: that’s why I’m bring it up to the Board and to address that Hey You in Business and Government. Sue stated that she sent the message as a person and not as a Council Member. Thomas said: as I read this…interrupted by Sue saying: I will never, ever again send anything else. I sent it to Barb and not you, so if she had an issue she should have brought it up. Thomas stated: I am the home owner and it was sent to a non-responsible party. Sue stated: I was just giving Barb a heads up. Thomas said: I don’t agree with the means and methods you did and I think it should be discussed by the Council. As previously being in a supervision and management, if someone in my staff on employment, exceeded their responsibilities, abilities or exaggerated their responsibilities, they would find out where the front door was, they’d be terminated. Brian (the solicitor) stated: however in this case Sir, an elected official that’s elected by the general public for a specified term, I can tell you that what you are alleging, is not sufficient for removal. The Council does not have the power to remove a Council Member. Thomas said: if the Council were to agree to that, then you go to the next step for removal, dismissal or being expelled. Lou stated: for future reference, if you do not get anything from the Council, you do not have to listen. She was just giving you a heads up as a concerned citizen. As the ordinance written by the Boro, this was not handled properly nor correctly. Lou stated: she did not handle it as a Council Member but rather as a private citizen. Thomas stated: I know that, but by sending this, she has exceeded her responsibilities, as not being delegated as doing something like this. Both Lou and Brian stated that they felt she was acting as a private citizen. Sue stated: yes, that’s what I did. I met these people when they came to town. I helped them, multiple times. Did I not Barbara? Barbara stated: yes, you did give information. Sue asked: did we not come up and help you move? Barbara stated: yes, you and your boyfriend came over and helped move a piano from one room to another, after I ended up calling you and asking for help with the piano and your boyfriend would help, yes. Sue responded with a yes. Thomas stated that he wanted the Council to be aware that these steps was done, also, I’d like to bring to the Councils attention an issue that I find, its short and sweet but, I’ve observed, an individual riding around the Boro, on a scooter, and exceeding 25 mph posted speed limit and not stopping at stop signs, nor stopping before crossing the street from alley to alley. At this point, Lou closed the meeting and Keith second it. Motion passed
No other business, motion to adjourn made by Lou 1st and Keith 2nd at 8:08 PM. All in favor motion passed.
Respectfully,
Barbara Brzezanski
Secretary/Treasurer