Taylor Borough Council Meeting Minutes August 14, 2024  The Taylor Borough Council held its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, at 7:00 P.M. at the Taylor Municipal Building, 122 Union  Street, Taylor, Pennsylvania.  President Mickavicz chaired the meeting.  President Mickavicz opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.  On Roll Call: Councilman Fox, Absent; Councilman Maldonato, yes; Councilman McKeel, Yes; Councilman Nezlo, Yes; Councilman Digwood, Yes; Councilman DeAngelo, Yes; President Mickavicz, Yes; Mayor Kavulich, Yes  Before I go on the agenda, with Public input and with Councils permission, Representative Jim Haddock is here with us this evening. Our Representative of the 118th, he has a Proclamation that he would like to present to Councilman Digwood who was recently awarded distinguished award by the Pennsylvania Association ofBoroughs for a 35-year membership, not only with the Borough but also with the Borough Association. Representative Haddock if you would like to come up and if Councilman Digwood, if you would like to go down in front to  accept your Proclamation.  President Mickavicz advised that the microphone is not working, ifyou can please speak loud ifyour speaking or come up and speak in the microphone. However, I can not guarantee the accuracy ofthe minutes because of the microphone. With that being said and before we begin, I'm also going to ask, with permission. We have a resident who asked me prior to the meeting, he has a little bit ofa medical history, he can't sit too long, SO with Council's permission and the public, I'm going to ask Mr. Emily ifyou want to go first Rick. Ifyou want to make sure your comments will guarantee they are put on, start with your  name and residency for the record.    My name is Rick Emily, Ilive at 128 N. Main Street. I'm here, I applied fora a handicap parking plate sign for in front ofmy house. Ispoke to the Mayor last year; she told me she would get one. Ifilled out the paperwork and gave it to the Borough and I was denied. Ihave severe back problems; I have arthritis all throughout my body. Ihad a seizure in 2021 sO now I have neurological problems. There is nowhere else for me to park but in front ofr my house. Forme to park in the back in the alley is not acceptable. I can not walk 130 feet to the door. Also, ifI park in the alley, no one else would be able to get through. The garbage men are not going to get through. It's just not feasible for me. Ihad no problems until they put 3 lanes there, three lanes are not going to work. No way no how, since they moved the lane over, our houses are shaking, the windows are shaking. I've complained about the speeding, I've complained about the trucks usingjake brakes. Jake brakes are illegal. Nothing is being done, the speed limit is supposed to be 25 miles per hour, the trucks are doing 50-60 miles an hour. I've worked on vehicles for 30 years, I'm not stupid to what is going on here. The police are not coordinated. The railroad charge is 50% oft the problem. There was a freight liner with a blue stripe coming out the railroad yard and for 2 blocks he was doing 50 miles an hour or more, he put the jake brake on. Coming back, going down, coming back, going down. It's 4:00 in the morning, I get a wake-up call just about every morning. Theres an RLE tractor, a red one with a sleeper parked at the Walmart parking lot every morning with the jake brake, flying up to the light. It's like nonstop. I'm getting parking tickets every day for parking in front ofmy house, the cops are harassing me for parking there. Ihave ar medical alert button. The girl that worked at the Taylor Deli there, whether it's their friend, cousin, sister, aunt, whoever, is not receiving parking tickets. The guy that stays there with her is not receiving parking tickets. Monday and Tuesday, she doesn't get parking tickets, I don't get them either, because they are parked there. But] I get them on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. I'm on a fixed income. Iain't got money for this horseplay. I've been there since 2015. I'm doing the best I could for the money I get and it's just not working out. Ihad 4 vehicles destroyed since 2021. Besides my vehicles getting side swiped and mirrors getting knocked off and totaled, there was a vehicle coming over 100 miles an hour and took the pole out by Olexi Pharmacy and nothing is done about the speeding. It's just non stop day and night they have these signs out 10 ton limit, you might as well take them down and put up flags because they are not being enforced. Container trucks and tri axels empty that are 36 38 thousand  2    pounds SO that's over the 10-ton pounds. They are flying down Davis Street and that's supposed to be 35 miles per hour. They are doing 50-60 all the way to the light. It's out ofcontrol, it's a nuisance. Day and night, I get 3 hours ofs sleep taking seizure medicine which is not good. I'm in a dead sleep and I get woken up and I get scared cuz I don't know what happened because of these jake brakes and all that. IfIsuffer a heart attack or stroke because of all this nonsense, no one is going to care. IfI park in the back and suffer a medical episode, have a seizure, no one is going to find me, why?. Because I can't park in front ofmy house. It's not fair to me and it's not acceptable. Ididn't ask to be in this condition, andI worked hard my whole life. Now I'm disabled andI I don't want to be disabled. I'd like to do a lot ofthings, but I can't. So, I'm asking if there is somehow you can help me with this issue. There is nowhere else for me to park. Idon'thave a President Mickavicz started with, Rick, let me start with one, we are all listening and hear your concerns and the predicament you are in. As you stated, iti isa a terrible stretch ofroad and I spoke to you and your son before the meeting, sO just for the record, back in 2019, there was a plan approved by PennDot for Sheetz to come in which called for the elimination ofa lot of parking. It satisfied that concern, but the bigger concern is still with the amount oftruck traffic on Main Street and how narrow it is for the three lanes. In speaking to PennDot and by your own admittance, you lost 4 vehicles, they clipped the pole, its been a dangerous section SO in speaking with PennDot the Borough moved forward to ban parking on both sides ofMain Street all the way down to Church Street. In regard to the handicap parking, ifits ban its ban. What I will do, ifyou're kind enough to leave your telephone number with Cindy or LuAnn before you leave tonight we will reach out to PennDot to see ifthere is anything that can be done with handicap parking. My guess would be that the most they will say because of the safety concern with everything that has been happening with the accidents would probably be at the very least, would be a handicap drop off and pick up. I know with speaking to you outside, that that would not solve your problem, but we will see what remedies are available. In regard to the speeding and the jake brakes, the Chiefis here tonight, and I know he heard it. The Mayor is here as well our Public Safety, we will ask them to look at it. It's not unnoticed, everyone will take a look at it. As early as yesterday, a conversation with Councilman Nezlo, he wants to make an appointment with Congressman Cartright to see if  driveway, and I don't! have a garage, I don't have nothing.  3    there is Federal Aide, because ofthe Davis Street situation. They never should have put that bridge. The council at the time fought it. They wanted it to go to Oak Street or the Frog town section. What it did was cripple the downtown. That's why there is a parking ban everywhere, that's why there are more accidents than ever before. We are trying to eliminate some ofthe truck traffic through President Mickavicz asked ifanyone from the public regarding items on the Agenda, reminds that at the conclusion of tonight's meeting you will be given the opportunity to discuss any matters pertaining to Taylor Borough.  Central Taylor.  Yes ma'am, ifyou would likel I will entertain it now, but usually this is where I would go over what is on the Agenda. Iwill give you the opportunity to go now.  Ifyou will state your name and residence for the record.  My name is Rita Getts Stravinskas, 940 Prince St., it's a private lot, behind Urbans Garage. My husband and Ihave lived in Taylor for 55 years, paid taxes and love Taylor. Raised two children who went to Riverside, they did sports, we love it here. Our problem is, on Prince Street, we do live in a low point. We have water issues. When there are storms, we get a massive amount of water. We have been flooded numerous times; our finished basement was ruined. There is no drainage. Once Keyser. Ave. was paved, that's when the issues started between sewage and water. We have be only having water issues now. There are no storm drains at all. Three 4-inch pipes was supposed to take the water, however, they are now crushed. Icall Joe Iacavazzi always and he sends someone up. There is a problem keeping them open because ofthe dirt and get blocked up. We need a storm drain put in. The pipes are damaged and clog SO much. Ifyou check your records, Ford has been there to flush them out and the hose company has come to flush them. There is very little seepage because ofthem being crushed. President Mickavicz stated it is vertical drain or bore hole. Ifyou have one, we can still maintain it. Ifit's a matter ofr replacing the pipes under the road that is something we can do sooner rather than later. It sounds like there was a place where the water was going, however, it's not going there anymore. We will have our DPW guy as early as tomorrow at least do something with the pipes and come up with a plan and clean the drain out. Even though they look clean on the  4    surface, they are not. Jimmy Muth, sent some guys up 3 weeks ago and it still is not working. Then a few days later they sent someone again and cleaned it out and they did a great job. But it doesn't I help the pipes that are crushed.  You will be given the opportunity at the end ofthe meeting. Members ofthe Council you have before you the. July 10-,2024,meeting minutes, are there any corrections, deletions or additions can I get a motion to accept the minutes presented to you. Councilman Digwood made a motion, and second by Councilman Maldonato. A voice vote was called, and all Council Members were in favor and the motion was Madam Secretary, will you let tonight's minutes reflect that we had an Executive Session immediately following the Work Session to discuss Personnel issues as well as a settlement agreement with our Insurance Carrier on August 12, 2024.  adopted.  President Mickavicz, Item A Consider a motion to approve a Modification Certification of CDBG excess money from 2019 and 2020 to install Handicap sidewalk Accessibility Ramps in the amount $80,761.74. We are in year 6 of our 10-year paving project, Lincoln Heights section of Taylor for next year. With the excess money, they qualify for the CDBG money funds SO with that we get a head start and put this replacing the curb cuts for handicap accessibility SO when we do go to pave the road that would be less money to come out ofpaving program money because this was excess money and CDBG money. The county had a public hearing and approved it for the CDBG. The Chair would like to make a motion to accept Item A. A motion was made by Councilman McKeel and second by Councilman DeAngelo. A voice vote was called, and all Council Members were in favor and  the motion was adopted.  Item B Resolution No. 10 of 2024 Renewal Notification - Agility Agreement #A35513 with PennDot. The Chair would entertain a motion to accept Item B. A motion was made by Councilman DeAngelo and second by Councilman Maldonato. Madame Secretary will call the roll please, Councilman Maldonato, yes; Councilman McKeel, Yes; Councilman Nezlo, Yes; Councilman Digwood, Yes; Councilman DeAngelo, Yes; President Mickavicz, Yes, After getting a unanimous  vote, Resolution 10 of2024 is now adopted.  5    Item C is to consider a motion to hire Nicole Thomas as a part time employee for the Taylor Community Center at an hourly rate of $15.00 per hour with no benefits and scheduled on an as needed basis. Just a note on the question, she does have all her clearances, she is an aide with the Scranton School District. The Chairwould entertain a motion to accept Item B. Amotion was made by Councilman McKeel and second by Councilman DeAngelo. Madame Secretary will call the roll please, Councilman Maldonato, yes; Councilman McKeel, Yes; Councilman Nezlo, Yes; Councilman Digwood, Yes; Councilman DeAngelo, Yes; President Mickavicz, Yes,  After getting a unanimous vote, Item Cis hereby adopted.  Item D is to consider a motion to approve payment of $162.50 for William Jones, Esq. for attendance at a conference on July 31, 2024, and August 1, 2024, for Municipal Legal updates plus mileage reimbursement and hotel reimbursement ifany. The Chair would entertain a motion to adopt Item D. A motion was made by Councilman Maldonato and second by Councilman McKeel. A voice vote was called, and all Council Members were in favor and Item E Consider a motion to approve a new Security Camera System at Taylor Community Center, from ICU Surveillance Service for the amount of $10,575.00. The Security Camera System all ties in with the Police Dept. where they have individual monitoring, and they have the feature to playback and rewind storage as well as viewing. Several ofthe cameras are not working and it'sac combination ofthe cameras from the Borough building and the DPW building. ICU looked at some of the cameras and they are on a list called the FBI blacklist. What that means is that cameras have a design where they are acceptable to be hacked. The Chair would entertain a motion to adopt Item E. A motion was made by Councilman McKeel and second by Councilman Digwood. A voice vote was called, and all Council Members were in favor  the motion was adopted.  and the motion was adopted.  Item Fis to consider a motion to approve Taylor Christian Community Church to close the corner of Washington Street and W. Grove Street to Washington Street and W. Taylor Street for Block Party on October 5, 2024, with aj rain date of October 12, 2024. (subject to road closure permit submitted to the Borough). The Chair would entertain a motion to adopt Item F. Ar motion was made by Councilman Maldonato and second by Councilman McKeel. A voice vote was called, and all Council Members were in favor and the motion was adopted.  6    Item Gis Consider a motion to approve a Taylor Community Library request to hold the Miracle on Main Street, Santa Parade on November 29, 2024. Jeanie if you would like or with Council's permission, can I move that to the end? Iknow there was another letter that was submitted today, and it may Per Jeanie, we set up a meeting with the committee from what I can hear, some committee board members are away on vacation. So, I'm scheduling a special meeting on Monday when they come back, I will have them sign the letter. Per President Mickavicz, he would still like a few questions and wait until the end of the meeting to discuss. If you don't mind, I read that the request did change from what was originally submitted from thel Letterhead who originally sent it. With no objection from the Board to consider but, I would like to  involve a discussion.  postpone Item G to the end ofthe meeting.  Item H is to consider a motion to approve the Taylor Community Library request to provide Borough Services including Police Services at the 5th Annual Trunk-or- Treat event held at the Riverside High School Parking lot subject to Borough Manager and Police Chiefapproval. We did discuss that one Jeanie, I would also like to ask why the Police were taken off as a host or a sponsor, there was some confusion I know you suggested that it was on Facebook. The Taylor Police Department was a sponsor or cohost ofthe initial one and then they disappeared. Do you know why they were removed or who removed them I should say. Kristi Englehardt: speaking for the Taylor Community Library, Steve Derenick, when he was Police Chief. I actually talked to him yesterday, he was the one who originally started this, The initial person who started Trunk or Treat was Steven Derenick, he at the time was Police Chief. He put the Police on for Public Relations. Was Riverside East on there? Ibelieve it stopped when he stopped President Mickavicz: stated I actually had a note, I apologize. Ifthis would answer your question Kristi, on November of2021, there was a' TaylorLibrary, which was a Taylor Library post on Facebook, it says the Taylor PublicLibrary, I'm sorry it says ofOctober 20 of 2021 it was the Trunk or Treat, it says that the Taylor Police Department and the Taylor Library and the Principals from Riverside East and West will be hosting the Trunk or Treat and that was from  being Police Chief.  your Library Facebook page, someone sent that to me today.  7    Kristi Englehardt: yes, that was Nicole and Dave, they were on thel Board, and Jeanie Sluck: no, the committee, they were on the committee, not the Board. President Mickavicz: but does anyone know why they were taken off? That was my question last night. Because they were put on at some point and then they were taken off. Jeanie, I'm saying this because you are the Director sO I would ask you, well Kristi, you are a Board Member as well. Wouldn't the Board have to approve who was hosting or cohosting that event at the meeting,  Nicole is no longer on the Board.  minutes something like that.  Jeanie Sluck: not for the Trunk and Treat we are. just participating.  President Mickavicz: the post on your. Facebook page from the Taylor Borough Library Association, and I quote Taylor Police Department, Taylor Library and Principals from Riverside East and West will be hosting an annual Trunk and Treat. But then the Police were taken off and I understand the Chief of Police was involved but the Police Department was a host of that. So, I guess my question is do you know why they came off and my second question is could Kristi Englehardt: the answer is the Police Department was not hosting it was President Mickavicz: but that is not what the official Taylor Library Facebook post says, it didn't say Steve Derenick, it says the Taylor Police Dept., It's on  they be put back on?  Steve and when he was Police Chief, he did it.  there now ify you want to look it up. Jeanie Sluck: Ken, what year was that?  President Mickavicz: October 20, 2021, if you go on your. Library Facebook page today, someone sent it to me. Ia assume they saw it today. The snapshot Jeanie Sluck: October 20, 2021, was three years ago of sO I would have to go President Mickavicz: Can Ijust ask can thel Police Department and thel Borough  ofit has October 20, 2021  back to see, but I don'thave why be added back on as a host?  8    Jeanie Sluck: Absolutely, no problem with that at all.  President Mickavicz, with that being said, the Chair would make a motion to adopt Item H. A motion was made by Councilman Maldonato and second by Councilman DeAngelo. A voice vote was called, and all Council Members President Mickavicz: Kristi, Iheard what you said that it was ChiefDerenick, but the information put out there said the Taylor Police Department. Kristi Englehardt: no problem, as long as they want to help with the work, we  were in favor and the motion was adopted.  have absolutely no problem working with anyone.  President Mickavicz: Perfect.  Mayor Kavulich: why was I taken off? Because I was helping too, but you guys just stopped and you never told me the next year, like I wasn't invited Kristi Englehardt: I assumed you weren't doing it anymore, the committee Mayor Kavulich: but nobody told me about the meetings, SO Ijust assumed, ,I Jeanie Sluck: no, as far as I know, everybody got thei text, Ir mean Nicole, Dave, everybody got the text, I mean I don'tknow why Loni, you were in the thread Mayor Kavulich: I didn't get the text, otherwise I would have been there. I wondered for three years why I just stopped getting invited to these things. I wasn'tsure ifI did something or ifit was because Steve stepped down. Ididn't knowi ifit was because I was Mayor or a Political thing. Did) I say something?  back to help out.  itself, Lit's just we went to the meetings.  don'tknow.  DidIdo something? IfI did, please tell me.  Jeanie Sluck: we wouldn't be shy, we I definitely would tell you.  President Mickavicz: Let me say this, I want to address more about the Miracle Parade, but the tape is running and the reason I'm going to ask when I speak later and even now, Madame Secretary, that ifmy words are transcribed to this portion of the minutes verbatim pretty much like a stenographer, because sometimes Ihave these conversations, although I never really had them is this  9    form usually it leaves here and some how on Facebook it will have that Kenny doesn'tli like Santa, Kenny doesn't like the Library. So, I want to be clear when Itc comes to the Library at Taylor Borough, back in the, I will probably bore everybody, but sometimes I have to get my point across. Back in the early 2000 the only two members at the time that are still here are myself and Councilman Digwood. One of the aspects for the Holzman Municipality Agreement was for Harms versus benefits. We had asked Waste Management at the time ifthey would give us over 1 million dollars for a Library and or a Senior Citizen Center. Myselfand Mr. Digwood at the time were chastised by the Council Chairman because we sprung it at the 11th hour and the officials from Waste Management that were here from Houston Texas got up and walked out and said that we were to far apart, they came back a week later and they agreed to do it. And as you are well aware Jeanie, we spent over 1.3,1.5 Jeanie Sluck: we had over 900,000 from the landfill and you raised and picked President Mickavicz: It think the purpose for me saying this tonight is for probably, you started this in the 50'sIbelieve? We had a great relationship with the Library in Taylor Borough and your talking to a Council now and some of the members back then and we got beat up, because ifs you can recall we had to make the decision to get rid of the tennis courts and tennis was popular in those days and everybody chastised us but you included, everyone agreed we needed a facility that was close to the schools primarily because education and at the time when the surveys were coming out there was a loto of families that did not have internet. So, we thought that either they couldn't afford it or you had parents that just didn't care. So our thought was, they originally wanted to put it on Oak Street where we. had land on Main Street and we thought no, we need to bite the bullet and put it next to the Community Center and its all there and when the kids are done with school, they can walk over and they had the internet lab and ifyou recall we asked you what the State guidance were for computer labs and ifthey said put 10, we said put 20, SO that every child that goes to Riverside and we didn't care ifyou were from Taylor or Moosic you had the same advantage as thel kid that had the internet at home. We referred to this back then and we refer to it now, it's a Poor Mans College. We always said we thinkal Library is just important in a community as a church or volunteer fire department, they are all very important. So, there always seems to be a misconception and when I ask questions, we get chastised. I'd like to get back to the relationship that the Library as well as the Borough  Million on that.  up the remainder ofthe bill.  10    Council and the Borough ofTaylor had for probably over 75 years, and It think we can get there. But in the last few years, it seemed to go off track. Jeanie Sluck: do you remember what I said last year? Do you remember? I said, this isn'ta about you, and it isn't about me, it's about the town. (unable to President Mickavicz: I think everybody here and I'm going to speak for everybody. We all still feel the same. It's great programs you have down there, Councilman Digwood: PII say it now SO it's on record, Dan Berkoski, from Taylor, said Jim we lost the building, and it had a clock on it. We need a clock. President Mickavicz, continuing on, Item I consider a motion to approve a donation of $150.00 each to Nicole Gillette, Stephanie Golosky and Kristen Katchur, for helping at the Kids Fun Day Event. As we discussed on Monday, Iknow Councilman DeAngelo and Councilman Nezlo, were instrumental with it, and Darrell Digwood our Director down at the Community Center, what was nicer this year, these three stepped up they already came with their Certifications, because they are all teachers. The Chair would like to make a motion to adopt Item I. A motion was made by Councilman DeAngelo and second by Councilman Digwood. A voice vote was called, and all Council Consider a motion to approve Resolution No.9 of 2024 for the release of the security ofa Maintenance Bond in the amount of $56,053.00 to Taylor 1,I LLC which expires on September 1,2024. Conditioned upon the concurrence ofthe Borough Engineer and I'm going to add the Borough Solicitor as well. The Chair would like to make a motion to adopt Item J. A motion was made by Councilman McKeel and second by Councilman Maldonato. A voice vote was called, and all Council Members were in favor and the motion was adopted. Next is Item K to consider a motion to authorize the Borough Manager to review and determine eligibility for an FMLA request from a borough employee for up to one year or 12 weeks and approve it if it meets requirements. Self-explanatory because of confidentiality. As long as the paperwork is completed and follows Federal Guidelines. The Chair would like to make a motion to adopt Item K. A motion was made by Councilman  hear)  and we can help, and P'll get to that later.  So, it wasn'tmy idea, it was Dan Berkoski's.  Members were in favor and the motion was adopted.  11    Maldonato and second by Councilman McKeel. A voice vote was called, and all Council Members were in favor and the motion was adopted. Item L, Consider a motion for the Chairman of Council to sign a Separation Agreement involving a Borough Employee subject to the approval and recommendation of Solicitor William T. Jones and Attorney Scott Blissman with the Law Firm of Eckert Seamans. This is an agreement that is being negotiated for an employee, there are multiple entities going on including Worman's Comp. being one. So, ifthis approves tonight, the Borough will re- ratify it at a future meeting, however, someone needs to be able to authorize this agreement to go before a. Judge for approval. So, with passing this tonight, more information will become available but at this point right now, it is protected under personnel it involves a whole legal twine with multiple agencies. The Chair would like to make a motion to adopt Item L. Amotion was made by Councilman Digwood and second by Councilman Nezlo. Avoice vote was called, and all Council Members were in favor and the motion was Item M is to consider a motion to approve a Contract Change Order with American Asphalt Paving Company for the 2023 Paving Project in the additional amount of $62,794.40 and to authorize the Chairman to sign any documents. The Chair would like to make a motion to adopt Item M. Amotion was made by Councilman McKeel and second by Councilman DeAngelo. A voice vote was called, and all Council Members were in favor and the motion Payment of Bills, Councilman Nezlo. Approval ofBills, The Chair will make a motion to approve the bills, Councilman McKeel made a motion and seconded by Councilman Maldonato. A voice vote was called, and all Council  adopted.  was adopted.  Members were in favor and the motion was adopted.  July Payroll July General Fund Open Invoices July Paid Invoices July Liquid Fuels Open Invoices Total Expenditures  $165,674.53 $154,261.10 $266,271.99 $12,761.74 $598,969.36  Treasurer's Report July 31, 2024  12    Local Services Tax Earned Income Tax RE Transfer Tax - Dec Miscellaneous RE Tax Delinquent 2021 RE Tax Delinquent 2022 RE Tax Delinquent 2023 Alliance Landfill Q-2nd 2024 (Q2-2023 $519,865.41) (Q2-2022: $427,998.64) ERSI Landfill Q-2nd 2024 RE Tax 2024 Intergovernmental Revenue Donation K-9 Fund UCC Permits Court Fees/Police Fines Astound Franchise fee TCC Interest Zoning Total Revenue:  $4,627.60 $26,606.94 $4,780.68 $6,207.30 $373.30 $1,415.42 $819.37 $530,563.72 $532.54 $56,000.00 $2,160.24 $20.00 $3,198.25 $3,216.45 $1,375.65 $2,718.00 $1,289.65 $125.00 $573,744.95  Financial Report July 31, 2024  General Account Real Estate Tax Account Liquid Fuels Account Balance $ Splash Park Account Veteran's Memorial Account Hero's Banner Account  $ $  2,183,607.00 1,086.09 167,974.74 30,776.96 1,306.77 8,054.93  $ $ $  13    Open Purchase Orders (PO's) 10 Year General Obligation Note $  $  (31,160.54) (99,998.00) (343,054.58) (38,284.89) (32,332.35) 60,301.10 18,156.90 3,775,619.75 530,563.72 60,360.87 8,296.97 458,008.17  Lease Obligations  $  2023 Police Comp/OT Obligations $ Other Police Comp/OT Obligations $ Escrow Funds (Taylor Commons) $ Escrow Account (General) Police Pension Fund ESL, Inc. Escrow Account Fire Insurance Escrow Taylor Police K-9 Fund  $ $ $ $ $  Government Money Market Fund $  Recycling Report July - 2024 Pounds 31,560 27,280 79,460  Tons 15.78 13.64 39.73  Commingle Cardboard/Paper Grass/Brush  Totaling  110,780  55.39  14    President Mickavicz is there any other committee reports at this time. Mr. Chairman, I would like go over something very quickly. Wej just finished ar major paving project within the town and we've been on a paving tear the past few years we sat idle for a number of years because finances were not where we wanted them. In the meantime, while that was going on we went to our next step, we went to Lincoln Heights for next year, SO along with Jimmy Muth and Chris Getts, our representative that helps out with recycling and DPW committee we have some paperwork that I put before you for proposed project for next year SO please when you get an opportunity browse through it. There are a few alley ways that will get paved while they are up there, to save money, then tackle the other alley ways. Ifthe council can browse this, because we have to get to the Engineer. We would like to get this out in December. P'dlike to commend everyone, you all did a wonderful job. President Mickavicz, I would be remiss ifId didh'tacknowledge Chris Getts who is our PennDot Municipal Liaison. He was the one that enlightened me a few years ago about the paving programs and projects that PennDot would allow him to go out and look at areas that we have him look at for paving and get an idea on what will need to get paved or patched. PennDot will let him  get some cost factor for us. Mayor's Report  During the month of July 2024, the Police Department responded to 758 incidents. There were 19 traffic crashes investigated; 150 Traffic Stops were made; and 77 traffic citations were also issued 8 non-traffic citations. Officers made 22 criminal arrests. Arrest Report's Officer Moran - 1 arrest; Officer Strenkoski - 1 arrest; Officer Kowanick - 1 arrests; Sergeant Snyder - 5 arrests; Officer Graham - 3 arrests; Officer McDonald - 11 arrests; Total 22 Revenues received for the month of July 2024, Parking Tickets: $60.00, Police Reports: $240.00, Magistrate Fines $2,873.43, Judicial Fines $43.02.  Total $3,216.45.  15    Next, President Mickavicz asked that the Mayor 's Report for the month of July  2024 be placed on file.  Then President Mickavicz asked ift the public had anything to bring up or address Jeanie Sluck, just a question, first I would like to applaud the council for the paving project. Is there anything that can be done with marking the line for parking up by the Post Office, people park right up to the end and it's difficult to get around onto Hospital Street, they know I come here and said ifyou can asked ifanything can be done. Councilman Digwood, I've noticed that myselfandI  at this time.  will get Jimmy Muth on that task.  Not just at the post office, or anywhere they think it should be done. Austin Hurley, I'm from Taylor, owner of property on 130-132 N. Main Ave., issues with the parking for his tenants. President Mickavicz stated the same thing het told Mr. Emily, that we will contact PennDot, however, I don't want to give you false hope, Id don't see any other solution. But we will let you know the  outcome.  Mr. Schab, my issue is the nuisance property behind me. I don't want this to fall through the cracks, but with Labor Day coming up, I know there's going to be parties, and it goes on for days. I know the Chiefis doing what he needs to do and it's gotten better. It's a work in progress. Councilman Digwood stated, we had this conversation before the meeting with the Chiefand we will step up patrols. Mr. Fortuna, this is a discussion on the Miracle on Main Street. This is just a comment, Channel 16 in the early morning announced the Pittston Tomato Festival how the committee and Mayor all worked together and are SO proud. President Mickavicz, said I think we can get there, I have a few more questions,I have a million notes, but I have two questions to ask Jeanie on behalfofher Board, I can address or I'll just say it, you said the Mayor was there and welcomed everybody, we get invited every year to ribbon cutting ceremonies, ground breaking, the letter from the American Legion every year to their Memorial Day Parade inviting us. We never got invited to the Santa Parade, in  16    fact last year some our members with the Mayor requested to go, they had to fill out an application to request to be in the parade and then on the request form it requested what type of vehicle they said none, and then our Borough Manager, I think she got it from you Jeanie, they said no one was going to be allowed to march, our State Representative showed up and P'lI be honest with you, It think the Mayor and the State Representative spoke to a committee member and they said no you guys can march. So, Ithink, we can get all this behind us and move forward but it almost seems like there's been a disconnect the last few years, I don't! know what changed, but hopefully we can get back on track and make Jeanie Sluck: CanI Irespond to that? The application was for when they go past the stand to announce, everybody fills it out SO they can announce who they are, that's what that was for ok, and I still have them, I still have everyone's. The reason we ask to drive a vehicle, the only people that we have walking are twirlers because they twirl fire ok and our nutcrackers, who are the kids ok, that's the only ones that walk, that's the only ones, everyone else drives for free. That's just something that we, actually we copied that from the Scranton's Santa Parade, and that's what they do, everyone, they make everyone ride in the parade President Mickavicz: Ijust, for years down there, people have been marching  parades since the turn  Jeanie Sluck: Ifyou think about it, it's a safety hazard too. I mean it's easy to trip at night no matter how straight that road is, SO P'di rather see you in a car. President Mickavicz: Jeanie, listen, lets go all out then, ifyou want  recommendation then on safety, our Police Chieftells us all the time, guys you're picking the worst day of the year for several reasons for a parade, one at night, two statistically proven, the busiest travel day is black Friday, it might be in second close to Thanksgiving, but Black Friday everybody is trying to get back home. Third is everybody is out shopping; every business has the opportunity to make money because that's why they call it Black Friday. In some instances, these businesses have to be closed for two hours, we are also hurting neighboring businesses, people can't get through and forth. So, we will ask, but we asked last time and we were told no and if they wanted to pick a weekend night, but that Black Friday, you have people that want to attend it. We have gotten complaints  17    and letters that want to attend it but they can't because they are working, because they work in retail and it's Black Friday. But more importantly, they work all day long, they want to get home, get changed and go shopping for whatever is left and they can't get out oftheir house or get to their house. So, I would ask that, its strictly up to the Board ifthat's what they want to do, but Black Friday seems to be a really really, from a Police standpoint, a little danger because oft the amount oftraffic on the road and ultimately that we close the road to affect businesses on Jeanie Sluck: We picked Black Friday because it's a Holiday and everyone is still in and I mean we get the opposite end ok. You get the complaints, and we get the people saying, that because their family is still there, they can go out and  aBlack Friday.  do a family activity.  President Mickavicz: Just do me a favor, keep an open mind, go on the Federal National Transportation Safety numbers, look at the PennDot numbers and you will see that the busiest for traffic is Black Friday. But our concern is when you said about safety, our concern comes in because ifmakes it twice as hard, they had an incident two years ago, I don'tknow ifyou were ever aware ofit. They had an individual on the one side street was intoxicated pretty heavily, ran overa couple of things, hit a car, luckily our Police were in the area, stationed a block away they went over to get him out ofthe truck, and hel kept insisting to the people no, I'm going on Main Street, I gotta go. He was sO intoxicated he was going to drive on Main Street through the people in the barricades, luckily, we had the Police there to stop him. That can happen at any time ofthe year, but I think we push it to the razor edge by having it on Black Friday. I'm not saying don't have it, I'm saying maybe Saturday would be a little bit better because everybody is in a hustle on Black Friday. You see it, that is where every business  wants to make their most profit.  Jeanie Sluck: Its my Holiday and I give it up. President Mickavicz: I work in retail that's why I'm  Jeanie Sluck: I was one of those ladies that was out at 2:00 in the morning. President Mickavicz: So, I'm going to go back to that, was there someone else?  18    Yes sir, Mr. Gallagher,, just curious as to whether you have a timeline as to when PennDot with the application process and Ihave a few suggestions as to  (inaudible)  President Mickavicz: Let me bring you up, Mr. Gallagher, right? First, I want you to know, your State Representative works on your behalfbecause he called me to lay into me about these crossings. I'm sure his office will reach out to you, but he's here now. Here's where we're at. The Mayor and I, requested prior to this that tragic accident down there, requested 2 Radar signs that show your speed. One is going on Keyser Ave., and the other is going on Main Street. We are working with PennDot on this. The signs are going to be placed within the next 10 days, definitely before school starts. Mr. Gallagher would like to Thank everyone for all the hard work. This has been an effort on the Riverside School, the Council, the Mayor, Mr. Haddock, Senator Flynn was involved early on to try to help, SO between everybody pushing and shoving PennDot was probably the fastest, and Mr. Getts, because I would harass him, but I think PennDot was the  fastest to get approval.  President Mickavicz: Jeanie ifI can get back to you, II had a lot more, but I think we are close to a good, positive relationship here. And I think I'm going to ask the same question on the Miracle Parade as I did with the Trunk and Treat, sO I misspoke, when I said that was your post on your Facebook page for the Trunk and Treat, it's the Taylor Police Department and its still on there. However, on your page, on November of 2021, on the Taylor Library Facebook, someone sent this to me today, Taylor Public Library, the Borough ofTaylor and Taylor's Miracle on Main Street want to invite everyone to our parade. That's on the Library, it was initially Taylor Borough, Taylor Library and the Taylor's Main Street Committee that we're the sponsors ofthe or the Hosts of that parade. SoI guess I was asking last night and you said that we would be on the Sponsor Board SO I guess I'm just going to ask the two basic questions. The list increased, there isi now addition of $1100.00 for tents which we paid last year. But now it'sa  $3000.00 payment to get on that Sponsor Board.  Kristi Englehardt: I'm going to say this, we had our meeting last night ok and one ofour board members, Chris said people are struggling with fundraisers, people are not getting money for holding fundraisers. We busted our butts year after year  19    holding three at least three fundraisers per year. So, he said why don'twe ask the Borough to (inaudible) not only the fundraisers, but Taylor Recycling he donated aminimum of $3000.00 a year. So we did not approach him as oft today and President Mickavicz: Do you want me to approach him on your behalf?  Kristi Englehardt: No we will ifwe have to  President Mickavicz: Well, Ithink your going to have to. Listen anything that we can get and I can speak to some of your sponsors, Ihave relationships with them but $3000.00 out oft the Borough Taxpayers money does become a hit somewhere. Iwould rather approach the private businesses for something like this SO I guess, let me. jump ahead and ifthe Council doesn't disagree with it we were initial sponsor or host oft that parade does anyone know why Taylor Borough was taken offofthat? Going by your post on the Library Facebook post Jeanie Kristi Englehardt: This is a misunderstanding as well, the parade is run by a committee, it's a committee ofs seven people, that is who puts the parade on it was you Ken, our first year that we started this parade that we as a committee cannot President Mickavicz: Isaid you can, but you cannot get Borough monies fori it Kristi Englehardt: So then you said we have two options, we needed to go on our 501C3 you said go to the Library or the Fire Department. So, Jeanie being on our President Mickavicz: I gave you a third option too. The third option and listen carefully Jeanie. And this is why I'm going to request at some point a meeting with your Board ofDirectors. This is where it gets real serious. And the irony of all this, a few years ago they had that terrible tragedy where in the city of Wisconsin or Minnesota they had that parade, and the people got killed. So our Solicitor explained this to you Jeanie and Kristi, you're a member of the Board now sO you need to hear this. So that ifTaylor Borough is a cohost of that parade same as we do with the. American Legion every year were a cohost we apply for the Parade permit and we put on the Borough Insurance policy and the reason we do that is one it's a community event, the Library is an educational facility, they  have a parade in Taylor  committee said P'll take on responsibility and  20    shouldn't be spending money on closing streets, getting permits and insurance, this is where it gets real serious and Jeanie you can ask your Solicitor this. God forbid there's an incident and our Solicitor and I said this on Monday, and P'll say iton the record tonight and I want this in the minutes, from our Solicitor ifthere happens to be such an accident or tragedy the Library is insured to up to X amount ofdollars, after that they can come after the Library, and individual members. Because your limits ofliability only go SO high on your insurance. As the Solicitor stated, with a Municipality we have limited Tort. So, when our Caps are reached on our insurance, they can't come after the Taylor Police Department or make us sell garbage trucks or sell City Hall or the Borough Bldg to pay it. They can come after, that's why you always see with car accidents you always heard, I'm not going to lose my house for somebody else but Kristi you as a committee member as a board member, as a voting member, and anything I'm telling you tonight you can go check with whoever governs you guys, which is Department ofEducation, the secretary or the Borough of (inaudible) organization. So, the Borough's been offering to say that we're a cohost, this was option three. That we're a cohost, by doing that it becomes halfofTaylor Borough's problem, but really it becomes all ofour problem. So Taylor Borough then can spend Tax payer money on all the Police Officers, and the Chief orders, usually orders, same as Memorial Day, he mandates them all. You get all the services ofDPW for helping to clean up, take out the garbage because it's a Borough function now. Last but not least you get the peace ofmind knowing, God forbit there was a catastrophe you guys are not going to be held responsible as board members. And again, what I'm telling you, check with the Department ofEducation or with the 501. Municipalities are immune past the Caps, they can sue but they are not going to get anything. But they are not going to make us. When was the last time you read the paper other than maybe a pension problem because that's a serious thing, that a Municipality had to sell their Borough building to settle a lawsuit or sell Police cars, but I can assure you theirs been a ton of companies and non- profits that have been wiped out by not having the proper coverage or hitting the coverages sO now they are going to come after you guys personally. So option three was list Taylor Borough as a cohost and by doing that than its easier for us all these guys up here to vote to allow all the police services, DPW, closing streets, taking the garbage anything, listen we give you a building for free we allow you to use the borough parking, the borough facilities in the community center we've been more than cooperative. And P'll be honest with you, it was a  21    little upsetting last year when I'm getting questioned why don't we support this. I said we do. No, no, you don't want to sponsor, you don'twant to do anything. The reality that it is in-kind services, we are probably laying out about 7 or 8 grand oft taxpayer money. just in the in-kind services. So, I know when you said we're not there yet, ifyou don'tfeel comfortable calling Pine Freight or Alliance  Landfill or ERSI, P'll be happy to sign up for your committee.  Kristi Englehardt: Every year we've done it.  President Mickavicz: So why I guess, why is the $3000.00 here tonight then? Is  the board asking for this or the committee? Kristi Englehardt: the committee  President Mickavicz: is the committee authorized by the board to ask for a  donation  Jeanie Sluck: Our President was there last night  President Mickavicz: Ididn'task you that Jeanie, when we all talk here tonight, and we all vote on something. We voted tonight to pay the paving. Cindy called me two weeks ago and said we. just got the last payment for the American Asphalt, I said get Bill and the Engineer, that needs to be approved by council.I can't approve that, even though I know it's a legitimate bill were supposed to pay it. The council only acts when they're in duly lawful session when the minutes  and the tape going. Your board is the same way.  Jeanie Sluck: Right.  President Mickavicz: So, the President could have been there and I'm sure that they all agree but a board, nothing becomes an official action until the board takes a vote, has the minutes ofit and it's recorded that this is what we're authorizing to  do or not to do.  Jeanie Sluck: Right, and that's why I said we are having a meeting on Monday.  22    President Mickavicz: Ineed someone who can convey some oft the possibilities for the Library by saying they want to get the insurance and be the lead on this parade. We're offering an out here, that God forbid that one thing happens, I mean they can'ttake the building because the Borough owns it. But they can wipe you Jeanie Sluck: Icontacted our insurance company today, and I asked these questions ok, she said to me, she said you have Cadillac ofinsurance (inaudible)  guys right out.  highest she put it that we are covered, and we would be fine. President Mickavicz: what happens ify you reach your caps?  Jeanie Sluck: can Ijust finish? Having said that we did discuss this last night and we did say it was ok, (inaudible)ifyou're willing to do the insurance for us we  are willing to......  President Mickavicz: I'm going to answer for the council here, but ifyour board  isi meeting Monday do they advertise for the board? Jeanie Sluck: No, it's a special meeting, we don'thave to President Mickavicz: Don'tyou still have to advertise it?  Jeanie Sluck: No, not for a special meeting. We have to advertise for regular  meetings.  President Mickavicz: Are you 100 percent sure about that? Jeanie Sluck: That's what we've always been told.  President Mickavicz: Just listen to me Jeanie, I'm going to leave here tonight, I'm going to let you take this tonight. Igot this today, and you'll find this interesting. But it's 4 pages, P'll send you an email, this was put out several years ago by the State Library of Pennsylvania, Bureau ofLibrary Development, Governor Tom Wolfe at the time, Pedro Rivera, Secretary ofEducation, and Glen Miller, Acting State Librarian, I'm getting very educated on Libraries, but you guys by definition are considered a Public Library, even though you'rea5 501C,  23    because you're a member of the Lackawanna County Library Association. You actually come under the jurisdiction of2 or 3 different agencies. One the Bureau ofCharitable Organizations as well as the State Library System, which in turn allows you to receive Tax dollars to the Lackawanna County Library system, because they charge a mill or % a mill or whatever it is foral Library Tax, which then gets pushed back to the Libraries. ButI want you to read this and it goes through a lot oft the stuff, some ofit is the things we talked about, but its really for the board members on what they... .I'II start it with the first thing and its lengthy. But interesting. A Public Library Board is a governing Board with legal responsibility. It has the authority to make policy and govern the libraries affairs under the public library code. Governance is the framework of policies, planning, budgeting, approval by the board to guide, direct the library director, governing is different than directing, the board does not run the library but ensures that it is run properly. There was another section in here and again ifyou read it, you will find itv very good. We're talking about the bylaws, there is actually a whole check list they give you that you should be doing every few years and the one thing Il know we talked about and you said it's been a long time since you, they did anything. But they actually tell you in this checklist and this was designed by them, they go into, first they give you all the things the Board Members should be very familiar with. The Public Library Code 24, Pennsylvania Code and Regulations, Non- Profit Corporation Law 15, Pennsylvania Consolidates Statue, Sunshine Law, Open Records, IRS Code as it relates to 501C3, 4221PC, the PA Public Official and Employee Ethics and more. It says it's not inclusive. But it goes into the bylaws, but they tell you, you need a checklist of what you should be doing and going through. There is one in here about reviewing the bylaws ifnot annually to make sure they are always up to speed. Iknow some ofyour Board Members appoint other Board Members, and II know it's not in writing but, that's something you need to look at because ifI wanted to become a board member of your board,  how wouldI do that?  Jeanie Sluck: You would come to a Board member and say I'm interested on your board, ok, we would have to have an opening first, ok, if we happen to have an  opening and I say Ken Mickavicz is interested....  President Mickavicz: Who votes?  24    Jeanie Sluck: My Board Members.  President Mickavicz: How did they get put there? Jeanie Sluck: Well originally, when I first came on.....  President Mickavicz: Listen, I won't beat you up too bad. I'm going to leave this Jeanie Sluck: That's in the handbook that all my trustees get as soon as they  with you, but everything I read,  come on board.  President Mickavicz: From who?  Jeanie Sluck: It's from the State Library ok, it's from our District Consultant. Who is the consultant oft the 5 counties and what she does is, sends out anything  like this and updates.  President Mickavicz: Do they give you sample bylaws? Jeanie Sluck: They give us a whole, I mean it's a huge book.  President Mickavicz: But I asked you one time for bylaws, and you sent me 2  pages.  Jeanie Sluck: That's the bylaws, this is... the..  President Mickavicz: Do they give you recommended sample bylaws?  Jeanie Sluck: Ifyou request them, ok...  President Mickavicz: But I'm saying that you should, because here is the concern. There is a question on who has the authority to point board members, because as a nonprofit 501, on a tax return, you have to tell them who appoints  the board members.  Jeanie Sluck: Ihave to do that on my report also.  25    President Mickavicz: Butifit's your own members, you have to put down that Jeanie Sluck: Exactly, and I do that every year when Ido the State Report. President Mickavicz: Listen, I'm going to leave it at this, you may not have done this in the past few years. You may not have, I don'tl know. Kristi, I'm going to leave you with this, I think you guys should read this and a lot oft things will start clicking and making sense ofthat. I want to go back and I'm on the record, that We Love the Library. Inever want to see anything happen to the Library. Iknow my colleagues don'tand we want to help you with whatever we need to do, SO the first thing Iv want to ask your board to consider is, your board not your committee. Because your board has the legal authority not the committee, is that you should really consider for the self-preservation of the library to take Taylor Borough as a Co-Host ofthis parade SO that the immune for liability on the torts are now, you don'thave to worry about losing your assets or members being sued. That'smy only.....you can check with your insurance carrier, because you said you asked what your coverage was worth. Did they tell you what happens when once you  it's your own members.  reach the limits? Was that question asked? Jeanie Sluck: I'm having a hard time hearing.  President Mickavicz: When you talk to your insurance carrier, and they say you have all this coverage, did you ask the question, what happens once I reached the limits ofmy coverage. What happens from there. Ifthe jury awards 20 million Jeanie Sluck: Iasked the board members and individually as a whole, see we  and your only covered for 10 million what happens there?  have special library insurance, ok,  President Mickavicz: Idon'tknow how you get around the tort in Pennsylvania. Jeanie Sluck: Its special library insurance and it was developed, Ib believe back in the late 90's early 2000's, because they did have cases where people would try and sue, especially the smaller libraries, ok, and they were wiping them right out.  So, it was developed :  26    President Mickavicz: So, did she tell you were covered for it or that they can'tdo  it? They could do it; they could sue you.  Jeanie Sluck: She said we were covered. That we have nothing to worry about,  ok, Pll request it in writing, that I have itt to......  President Mickavicz: Here's what you need to find out what happens after your maximum limitations are met. I can tell you that ifyou sue Taylor Borough, once you hit the maximum limitations, no. judge, the judge will say they don'thave it. What are you going to do, sell the police cars? But with nonprofits and individuals the people still want their money, and they will come after you and  they can.  Jeanie Sluck: Iwill find out, and I will get it in writing, and Can I answer the  question on how you get on the board? written in any bylaws that I saw. Jeanie Sluck: No, Idon't believe it was  President Mickavicz: You can, but you're telling me what you do and it's not  President Mickavicz: No, it doesn't distinguish between and honorary member or ar regular member or a social member. There's not distinction. Normally when you start a 501,you can get the basics. You can get a President, a chairman, a vice chairman and treasurer and where are going to get bonded. And they give you that to start, but then they tell you at your first few meetings, which God Bless, back in the 50's what they did, that's when you're supposed to sit down  and develop the bylaws,  Jeanie Sluck: The first thing oft the bylaws that I forgot, literally, just 5 bylaws, 5 different points and that's it. They did that for years, until 1980 when I came on President Mickavicz: Ifyou google right now for a sample set, it will answer every, when you're supposed to have meetings, how you replace members, what are the terms on board members, how the elections, there's a million and one  board, and I sat with a request :  27    things, because your bylaws, actually there is a statement in here, they are  basically like your bible sort of speak.  Jeanie Slick: Iwill say this, I do have the bylaws committee, and three ofmy board members and I will go back to them, and tell them we have to meet as a whole and we will review them and revise them and as soon as that's taken care of, I'm telling you right now, I'm paving our way that in September, we can go  from  President Mickavicz: I'm just going to read this, but I'm going to email you this. The last time we spoke Ihad sample bylaws, I1 may or may not have sent you. So, the section is bylaws, it describes the boards structure and practices to establish rules for governing, that goes back to, know the committees asked for $3000.00 more money, but I don't know if they have the authority to ask and I'll give you an example. Several years ago, Dan Zeleniak was the Borough Manager, and a guy comes over from the Fire Company, hey we want to ban parking on Union Street, Kristi, you may have been here at the time an may recall it. Is say who's requesting it and they said SO and sO who's a member. Is said, no, tell them when the company meets and sends us a copy oftheir minutes, that it was sanctioned by the board, and this is what they want. Low and behold, it never came back. So,I knew what was going on that one member got mad and he wanted to park, but I'm just saying that Pennsylvania Board requires bylaws. Bylaws are legally binding, bylaws should be reviewed periodically and amended as necessary they go on to ensure proper checks and balances and written statements differ in the function of the library board and the library director, should be included in the bylaws, regulations 22 PA require the local libraries and library systems and the best practices. I'm just going to give you this, Ii found it very interesting. SoI guess we will leave it as ifyou can get your board together with a regular meeting however you have them, and ifthey want to take Taylor Borough on a Cohost sponsor or a host, sO we can then, and nobody is disagreeing then we can provide as much support as needed. As far as the financial we are going to have to talk about that. I'm confident that we can raise the money ifyou want help with it. So, ifyou want me to call on your behalf, I'd be more than happy to.  Kristi Engelhardt: No, we will take care ofit.  28    President Mickavicz: I'm on the record here, I'm offering to call, raise some funds before I would vote to take Taxpayers money away, when II know there are private donors out there that will give the money. So, P'll ask, why is the  $3000.00 on here again?  Kristi Englehardt: Because it was recommended by Chris Kuratnick and he emphatically said it and this is where we are at. It was the committee that had issues that started year one, every year it seemed like we were having more issues and more issues, we as a committee are ready to move forward. We as a committee are ready to work with Taylor Borough to make this event, because we year-round bust our asses working every day on Trunk or Treat or the Parade  Jeanie Sluck: We start the day after.  President Mickavicz: No, there's no doubt. So, who has the authority to make us cohost of the parade? So, when I say cohost, somewhere on the very bottom, you know where you know when you have an obligation to put the Lackawanna County Library System on everything you do, and they do that because you're getting tax dollars for a Library. Iknow when we do the State stuffit's the PA Forward. It's ironic because this publication that was published, they actually put on bottom, The Institute Museum ofLibrary Services, this publication was made possible by a grant from the Institute ofMuseum and Library Services. So usually, people give recognition to the host or sponsor. I want to be clear for the record, I don't want Ken Mickavicz's name on it or. Jimmy Digwood's, or Chuck McKeel's; what we want is Taylor Borough, the Borough is the community in which we live in because people keep asking and again last night they found that Taylor taxpayers. It sounded good at first, but why didn'tKazmierezak, Taylor Recycling and say customers ofTaylor Recycling. They couldn't put Taylor  Borough on last year.  Kristi Engelhardt: Probably, because they are not a nonprofit, they actually make their money for profit and they are making a donation. Maybe that's the logic of it. Besides that, we agreed last night that we are going to list, we always put Taylor Recycling number one because they are our biggest donator.  President Mickavicz: How much to they give you?  29    Kristi Englehardt: About $5000.00 a year.  President Mickavicz: Do you have any idea what it costs to have the entire Taylor Police Department to provide services. Let me finish, to have the entire Taylor Police Department, the DPW equipment that we took. What happened outin Minnesota or Wisconsin, or wherever it happened, and we: now use garbage. trucks and plow trucks to block the streets, ifyou put a dollar amount, and I'm going to go conservatively roughly about $7500.00 bucks. So, ifTaylor Recycling was on top, Taylor Borough should have been on the tippy pole. Kristi Englehardt: We talked about it last night and that's what....  President Mickavicz: Ok this is the last point I'm going to put. The Borough takes on the obligation that when a police officer working for the borough and their capacity and they get hurt, and they go out on Heart and Lung program, that Officer is the Borough's responsibility, they can be on that program for 10 years, where we are paying 110% oftheir salary and benefits until they recover. So, the $7500.00 is the quick one but ifyou look at what is the potential but that's really where you guys should look at ifTaylor Borough wants to be a cohost, the American Legion they will tell you right out, we don't want that responsibility, they put a little blurb, thank you to Taylor Borough. They don'tthank me; they thank Taylor Borough. But it helps us help you, legally and to not jeopardize your organization. But I would ask you to ask your insurance guy what happens when the limits are met versus a Municipality and he's going to tell you. In the meantime, could you ask your board ifthey want us to be your cohost. The  Library Board  Kristi Englehardt: What's the difference between cohost and a sponsor of the Parade? Is it recognition isi itt they want to say they are doing this?. A cohost to me  is put the work in..  President Mickavicz: no, no, here's what a host is, the term is political as well, SO Mr. Haddock will have a fundraiser, and you'll have a business owner who wants to put the spread on and the location and it will say its hosted by the Luzerne County Democrats. They' re the ones putting the event on, we're asking to be a cohost with the library and the committee like it was originally advertised 4 years ago Taylor Borough, Taylor Library Association and Taylor Miricle, but with  30    Taylor Borough being a cohost, that puts the obligation for primarily the insurance and all the borough services to be used down there and any liability that would come out ofit that comes back to the Municipality which again is maxed out on limits on their tort options that once the maximums are met they can't come after the borough. They could, but no. judge is going to hear it. Doing it your way, you're putting the library at risk and that's what the solicitor said last year that once you hit your maximum limits they could come after you for the  remaining money ifthey SO choose.  Jeanie Sluck: So, as Iunderstand it, my assignment is to get, contact the insurance company find out what exactly is covered and what we have.  President Mickavicz: Or go the easy way,  Jeanie Sluck: The next thing Ihave to do is go back to my Board have a special  meeting and being you're a cohost  President Mickavicz: In cooperation with the committee, once Taylor Borough's  name is added to it  Jeanie Sluck: Your idea ofwhat you're asking for, I will get this together you will President Mickavicz: Iguess my final question is why would you not want a  have it next week.  municipality  Kristi Engelhardt; Honestly because oft the headaches we have had. For years. The headaches that we had over and over. The constant headaches, the constant President Mickavicz: Well again, I will say this, when you get the Borough, then we do acquire that everything is done properly and legally. Iknow that can  harassment  be headaches  Kristi Engelhardt: From fundraising. R&Ldoes tickets every year they never went through what we have gone through. But you were hounding us.  31    President Mickavicz: I want to be clear for the record here, for the last point on the fundraising. The Taylor Borough Library Association has a games of chance permit to conduct raffles under small games of chance which is considered a form ofgambling in the State of Pennsylvania, and you can do it as long as you follow all the rules and regulations. And it was brought to our attention that a lot ofthe rules and regulations were not being followed starting with a letter from the Municipality or the landlord that the building is being, Read it Jeanie, I sent it to you. You're looking at me with that, I'm telling you. For you to conduct raffles with your permit, on the application you can go online now any Lackawanna County, in Pennsylvania. You have to have written permission from the landlord that they' re acknowledging and agreeing to give you permission to conduct gambling on the facility. You were nice enough a few years ago to sig some guy on me from the Liquor Control Board, which was part ofPennsylvania State Police Gaming Enforcement, he called me, It told him my side ofit, It told him I would call back with more information. Hei refused to take my calls then he finally called me back and said I should go to the DA. Is said no, I don't want to  do that, Ijust want to fix the problem.  Kristi Engelhardt: We called him a million times to get the laws and to see what  we were doing incorrectly and what we were doing correctly. Jeanie Sluck: Honestly, Ihave never talked to this man.  President Mickavicz: I'm not saying, but ifyou want to know I read it. Iknow Mr. Maldonato read the 748 pages, and that night it was brought up that we are not experts. I don't expect you to be. We are telling you, here are the gaming laws in the State of Pennsylvania you have to follow them because if not you can get in trouble. Ifyou go look at your application for the Small Games ofChance you're supposed to accompany a few things. A written letter from the landlord that gives you specific permission to conduct gambling at your facility and number 2 is that ifthere is a lease that part ofthe proceeds are not going to be judged on the amount of rent that the landlord is charging. Because some places I don't know how but you're running a gamblingjoint or a bingo use your license, you can give me money you give me extra money. That's why they want a copy oft the lease ift there's one, but they specifically want the landlords written permission with that gaming application to the treasures office before they  32    approve it. NowIdon'tknow: how they gave you a license because we never sent Jeanie Sluck: Right, Ifilled that application out for years and the first year I went up and Karpovitch helped me out, sO Iwould assume that he would have known  you a letter because you never asked for one.  because they ask you the questions.  President Mickavicz: Back to the matter at hand Kristi, we weren'tharassing, we were. just saw a lot ofthings and as far as the R &L L, what they do is what they do. Our obligation is to the Borough Taxpayers on Borough property. And the  Borough owns that property.  Jeanie Sluck: Ok can Ijust say something now, we: really aired everything out, we really talked a lot tonight and I appreciate everybody's patience and time and input. Can we agree to move forward now that we are going to work together,  and the past is the past. President Mickavicz: 100%  Jeanie Sluck: The present and the future is what we are looking at. The major thing is we want to do something for the people, that is what you were elected for.  President Mickavicz: 100%  Jeanie Sluck: and that's what I want to do, ok, I'm doing this job 44 years ok  and....  President Mickavicz: And I'm offering you here tonight tell me what your budget isa and how much you need and absent the Borough Council voting to give you $3000.00, I'm sure collectively between all of us up here, we can raise, it's got to be a reasonable amount, ifyou show us what the budget is we can help raise that amount from every business that there is not just here but outside, other  companies that will be willing to help the cause.  Jeanie Sluck: Ok again, just give me until next week and you know when I say I will have something, I will have it for you. Iwill never renege on anything you ask me. Iwill have the budget, I will show you from day one, from first year,  33    budget, second year budget up until this year. Ok, and I will make sure, oh you know what? I'm going to ask something of you, ifsomebody comes to you and they have a complaint about the library, they have a complaint about the parade, they have a complaint about Trunk or Treat, please direct them to us. Because I hate for you to be in this position ok, my think is ifwe're doing it they should come to us and ask us, don'tcome after you guys, cuZ, you understand what I'm trying to say and everything. Iwould appreciate that because I have no problem talking with people, explaining to them, and trying to answer a question. President Mickavicz: Ithink you know by now, that ifI have a concern, I call  you.  Jeanie Sluck: and vice versa. So, anybody, anybody has a concern, come to me President Mickavicz: Ithink tonight was very productive and It think we can all get back on track. And I want to be clear, we are not trying to say Taylor Borough, listen all we want to do is help the Library help for the parade cuz it'sa Jeanie Sluck: Now that you said this, trust me, I know all your phone numbers, and] Iknow where you all live, I will be the gum on the bottom ofyour shoe.  very good thing.  President Mickavicz: DidInever not call you back?  Jeanie Sluck: no never.  President Mickavicz: well,Idon'tanymore, because you asked me to stop.  A gentleman talking unable to make out what he is saying.  President Mickavicz adjourned meeting.  34