CLARKS GREEN BOROUGH COUNCIL MINUTES DECEMBER: 20, 2023  CALLTO ORDER: President Rinaldi called the meeting oft the Clarks Green Council to order at 7:05 P.M. with ROLLCALL: Secretary Culbertson conducted roll call. The following were present: Mr. Egan, Ms. Igoe, Mr. Williams, Ms. Lucas, Mr. Rinaldi, and Solicitor Weinschenk. Mayor Barrasse attended via phone.  the Pledge of Allegiance.  ABSENT: Mr. Toms and Mr. Nealon. DeFlice, 312 Evans St.  VISITORS: CSPD ChiefYarns, Ben Freda, Abington Journal, Mary Moore, 113 Glenburn Rd. and Ashley APPROVALOFI MINUTES: President Rinaldi entertained the motion to accept the minutes of the November 15, 2023 Council meeting. Mr. Egan motioned, seconded by Mr. Williams. Mr. Williams, Ms. Igoe, Mr. Egan, Ms.  Lucas and Mr. Rinaldi voted in favor. PUBLIC COMMENT: No public comment.  POLICE REPORT: CSPD Chief Yarns briefly reviewed the monthly police report. ChiefYarns told Council they have been issuing overnight parking warnings. Ifthese notices fail to alert the public, they will start issuing the parking tickets. ChiefYarns informed Council lofan incident on Highland Avenue in which S. Abington Township MAYOR'S REPORT: Mayor Barrasse wished everyone a Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to all. Mayor Barrasse commented on the Highland Ave. incident recognizing the neighboring communities such as the South Abington Police Dept. supporting Clarks Summit Police. Mayor Barrasse praised Councilman Williams for his twelve (12): years of service to the Borough and his willingness to assist others noting he finds it inspirational. Mayor Barrasse recognized Counci/man Rinaldi for his eleven(11)years of service to the community and wished him the very best. Mayor Barrasse stated he has been phenomenal and his knowledge has been second-to-none. TREASURER'S REPORT AND BILL. APPROVAL: Mr. Rinaldi reviewed the distributed Budget VS. Actual comparing balances to last month and last year. The Treasurer's - report was presented by Mr. Rinaldi and filed for  Police Dept. assisted.  audit. Current fund balances are as follows:  General Fund Checking General Fund ICS MM #7101443595 Capital Fund Money Market Sewer Fund Checking Sewer Fund ICS MM#7101443706 Sewer-F FNCB CD #200845158 Sewer- Peoples CD #10003154 Sewer- Wayne Bank CD #80049035 Sewer-Wayne Bank CD #80021603 Sewer- Wayne Bank CD #80044088 State Funds Checking Total Checking/Savings  $  411,269.22 252,671.46 104,632.27 205,660.71 252,671.45 50,000.00 76,758.85 78,189.16 53,339.83 50,302.14 216,614.60 $ 1,752,109.69  Mr. Rinaldi entertained a motion to accept the Treasurer's report and ratify the payment of the bills. Ms. Igoe motioned, seconded by Ms. Lucas. Ms. Lucas, Mr. Williams, Ms. Igoe, Mr. Egan and Mr. Rinaldi voted in favor. Mr. Rinaldi entertained a motion to approve the application and certification for the #3 payment to Stafursky Paving Co. for the partial work completed pursuant to the 2023 Borough Paving Project for Greenbrier Drive ini the amount of $11,015.14. Ms. Igoe motioned, seconded by Mr. Egan. Mr. Egan, Ms. Igoe, Mr. Williams, Ms. Lucas and Mr. Rinaldi voted in favor. Mr. Rinaldi entertained a motion to approve the 2024 Budget. Ms. Igoe motioned, seconded by Ms. Lucas. Mr. Williams, Ms. Lucas, Ms. Igoe, Mr. Egan and Mr. Rinaldi voted in favor. Mr. Rinaldi entertained a motion to adopt    Resolution No. 6of2023, ai resolution establishing the real estate millage, wage tax, local service tax and  realty tax for the year 2024. Mr. Rinaldi noted this has no tax increases.  RESOLUTION No. 6of2023 Borough of Clarks Green Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania  A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE REAL ESTATE TAX MILLAGE, WAGE TAX, LOCAL  SERVICES TAX AND REALTY TRANSFER TAX FOR THE YEAR 2024  BE IT RESOLVED, by the Borough Council of the Borough of Clarks Green that the Real Estate Tax millage for the calendar year 2024 be established at fifteen (15)mills for each dollar of assessed value or the sum of$1.50 on each one hundred dollars of assessed valuation, and establishing the Wage Tax at one-halfofo one percent (0.5%), the Local Services Tax at fifty-two dollars ($52.00), and Real Estate Transfer Tax at one  percent (1%) for the calendar year 2024.  THIS RESOLUTION is adopted by the Clarks Green Borough Council this 20th  day ofDecember, 2023. ATTEST: /s/Joanne Culbertson Joanne Culbertson, Secretary  BOROUGH OF CLARKS GREEN By: /s/David Rinaldi David Rinaldi, President Clarks Green Borough Council  Mr. Egan motioned, seconded by Ms. Igoe. Ms. Lucas, Mr. Egan, Mr. Williams, Ms. Igoe and Mr. MOTIONS: Mr. Rinaldi entertained a motion to separate DPW employee Jon Clemens from Borough employment as of December 29, 2023. Mr. Egan motioned, seconded by Ms. Igoe. Ms. Igoe, Mr. Egan, Ms. Lucas, Mr. Williams and Mr. Rinaldi voted in favor. Mr. Rinaldi entertained a motion to approve hiring Eric Heimbuch to the position of Clarks Green Borough DPW laborer at the rate of$19.00 per hour starting 1/02/2024. Mr. Egan motioned, seconded by Ms. Igoe. Ms. Igoe, Mr. Egan, Ms. Lucas, Mr. Williams and Mr. Rinaldi voted in favor. Mr. Rinaldi entertained ai motion to approve 3.5% raise increase for all hourly Borough employees for 2024. Ms. Igoe motioned, seconded by Ms. Lucas. Ms. Igoe, Ms. Lucas, Mr, Williams, Mr. Egan and Mr. Rinaldi voted in favor. Mr. Rinaldi entertained a motion to increase the Borough Manager's salary from $50,000 to $55,000. Ms. Igoe motioned, seconded by Mr. Egan. Ms. Lucas, Mr. Egan, Ms. Igoe, Mr. Williams and Mr. Rinaldi voted in favor. Ms. Culbertson thanked all of Council for the increase. Mr. Rinaldi entertained ai motion to approve bonuses for the Borough Manager and Borough employees in the following amounts: Joanne Culbertson -$1000, Ken Hiller $500, Tom Worobey $500, George Parker $200, Paula Thompson - $100. Ms. Igoe motioned, seconded by Mr. Williams. Mr. Williams, Mr. Egan, Ms. Lucas, Ms. Igoe and Mr. Rinaldi voted in favor. Ms. Culbertson thanked all of Council. Mr. Rinaldi informed Council ofa a recent email sent by Councilwoman elect, Olga Trushina asking that the Council meetings (3td Wednesday oft the month) and the work sessions (IS! Wednesday of the month) be changed from 7P.M. to 6P.M. After, a brief discussion amongst the Council members, Mr. Rinaldi asked if any action should be taken at this meeting. Mr. Egan stated we should keep the current times and ifneeded we can modify in the future. Mr. Egan motioned to approve and advertise the traditional meeting schedule along with the 71 P.M. start times. Solicitor Weinschenk commented before the vote took place stating he feels that is a decision for the new  Rinaldi voted in favor.    Council. Solicitor Weinschenk told Council the Re-Organization meeting needs to be advertised seventy- two (72) hours before the January 2nd meeting. Ms. Igoe seconded the motion on the table. Mayor Barrasse stated he would like to veto the motion. Mr. Rinaldi told Mayor Barrasse we haven't voted on anything yet for you to veto the motion and informed him that a special meeting will need to be schedule to override the veto. Mr. Rinaldi asked Ms. Culbertson to call the roll. Ms. Igoe, Ms. Lucas, Mr. Egan and Mr. Rinaldi voted in favor. Mr. Williams voted no. Mr. Rinaldi told Council obviously the schedule can be changed and then advertised, Mr. Rinaldi told Council the next item on the agenda is the advertisement of the Re-Organization meeting January 2nd at 6P.M. noting the Honorable Judge Terrence Nealon graciously offered to perform the swearing in ofthe newly elected Borough officials. Ms. Igoe motioned to advertised the Council Re-organization meeting, January 2, 2024 at 6. P.M., seconded by Ms. Lucas. OTHER BUSINESS: Mr. Rinaldi told Council of the various DCED programs that are offer to municipalities. Mr. Rinaldi acknowledged Rob Saunders, from the AAJRB for his service noting he was someone that made sure that the work got done for their various projects. Mr. Rinaldi announced the Borough's Covid 19 ARPA PA Small Water & Sewer grant application had been approved in the amount of$304,200. Mr. Rinaldi informed Council that ARWA received a halfa million dollars to replace al UV unit for the plant. Mr. Rinaldi thanked all oft the members of Council for their help noting we have done a lot of good work together. Mr. Rinaldi thanked Ms. Culbertson for the work she has done being Borough Manager. Mr. Rinaldi extended his thanks to Clarks Summit Police Department for their good work. Mr. Rinaldi acknowledged Ms. Mary Moore for her attendance at Council meetings noting we appreciate your interest in our community. Mr. Rinaldi wished everyone Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Rinaldi entertained the motion to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Igoe motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:50P.M., seconded by Mr. Willams. All in attendance voted in  Ms. Lucas, Ms. Igoe, Mr. Egan, Mr. Williams and Mr. Rinaldi voted in favor.  favor.  Secretary  $R    CLARKS GREEN BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA December 20, 2023 7:00PM  1. Call To Order and Pledge of Allegiance - President Rinaldi  2. RollCall-Secretary Culbertson  3. Motion to approve the Council Meeting Minutes from November15,2023.  4. Public Comment. 5. Police Report. 6. Mayor's Report.  7. Review of Borough Financials, Budget VS. Actual Report and Motion to pay bills.  8. Approving Application and Certification for Payment #3 payment to Stafursky Paving Co., inc. pursuant to the Borough 2023 Paving Project Contract for Greenbrier Drive in the amount of$11,015.14 closing out the project.  9. Motion to approve the CGB Operating Budget for 2024 Budget.  10. Consideration of Resolution 6 of 2023 establishing the Borough Tax Rates for 2024.  11. Consideration of Motion to separate DPW Employee Jon Clemens from Borough employment as of December 12. Consideration of Motion to hire Eric Heimbuch to the position of Clarks Green Borough DPW laboreratarate of  29, 2023.  $19.00 per hour starting January 2, 2024.  13. Consideration of Motion to approve 3.5% raise for all hourly Borough Employees for 2024. 14. Consideration of Motion to increase Borough Managers Salary from $50,000.00 to $55,000.00. 15. Consideration of the bonuses for the Borough Manager and Borough Employees in the following amounts: Joanne Culbertson- - $1000.00, Ken Heller $500.00, Tom Worobey $500.00, George Parker- $200.00, Paula 16. Consideration of Motion to schedule and advertise Borough Council Meeting Schedule for 2024. 17. Motion to advertise Council Reorganization Meeting January 2, 2024, at 7:00PM.  Thompson- $100.00.  18. Other Business/discussion. Discussion on DCED Programs available to improve Borough Management and Operations. Recognition and thank you to Rob Sanders for his outstanding service overt the years with the Abington Area Joint Recreation Board. Council President remarks and thank you regarding the 2022-2023  Council. Holiday' Wishes. 19. Motion to Adjourn.  NOTE TO VISITORS: Please sign the attendance sheet and indicate if you wish to observe the meeting or to address Council, stating the agenda topic on which you would like to comment. Speakers are allowed 3 minutes  each for comments. Thank vou.