Boro prez alludes to lawsuit over bulk water sales

BY STACI WILSON

Montrose Borough Council President Tom LaMont said the borough may be entering into a lawsuit over bulk water sales.

In council’s first meeting with its Feb. 14 adopted policy in place governing conduct and public participation, cameras and audio recorders were situated in the back of the conference room.

And although some members of the audience were allowed to speak on agenda items and issue objections to council actions, the Feb. 20 meeting was not opened up for general public comment.

Craig Stevens, ofSilverLakeTwp., registered an objection when council adopted an agenda that did not include discussion of aJessup St.water hydrant.

The hydrant had been listed for discussion on the borough’s Feb. 6 agenda.

Later in the meeting, Stevens said he came to the Feb. 6 meeting, as the owner of the hydrant, to provide information to the council if necessary.

Stevens said that after the Feb. 6 meeting, he was concerned with misinformation circulating in the community that he had forced himself onto the borough council’s agenda.

He also said he had read several internet blog postings by some council members who, Stevens said, objected to what the hydrant was being used for.

Council President Tom LaMont said the borough had received questions by citizens as to the ownership of the hydrant. Those questions, he said, had been asked and answered since the Feb. 6 meeting, and therefore, the discussion item was not included on Monday night’s agenda.

LaMont went on to say that he did not want to speak on the hydrant issue “due to some pending litigation.”

“Litigation issues need to be worked out before I speak on bulk water sales in the borough,” LaMont said.

Borough resident Lynn Senick voiced concerns over council’s adoption of the new meeting policy. As per the new guidelines, Senick was listed on the agenda.

Senick said council gave no notice to residents of what it was proposing and the policy was never discussed.

She said she was troubled by restrictions placed on who will be allowed to offer comment at borough meetings.

Allowing only borough residents and taxpayers to speak places an “unnecessary obstacle on groups with an interest or a business interest in the borough.”

Senick said that within the newly adopted guidelines professional consultants would not be allowed to speak at meetings.

Council can, however, waive the policy restrictions; a practice Senick said is “arbitrary and possibly discriminating.”

She asked council revisit the policy; advertise what the new policy is; and discuss it.

Councilwoman Julanne Skinner asked if the borough was going to publish the rules or consider revisiting them.

LaMont said there is no need to revisit the policy.

And Councilman Tony Pickett said copies of the policy are available.

LaMont also said he asked for public comment at the Feb. 14 meeting and it was offered by Vera Scroggins.

Scroggins, who was also in attendance at the Feb. 20 meeting, said public comment was not asked for and she took it upon herself to speak.

Mayor John Wilson said he was surprised at the way council handled situations at the past two meetings.

Wilsonsaid, “I believe borough meetings should by for the good of all borough residents and that there should be a time scheduled for people to express their ideas and feelings concerning borough activities and proceedings.”

In his statement, the mayor also advocated for transparency in government.

In addition the policy and hydrant discussions, council also addressed most of the items carried over from the Feb. 6 meeting.

Builder Frank Mittman spoke to council about a proposed, four-unit apartment building project onGary Lane, offRidge St., in the borough.

Mittman said that as the current zoning ordinance is written, that although being in a residential zoning district, the four-unit building would fall under the residential guidelines.

He also said that, as proposed, the building would meet all the borough setback and lot use requirements.

Councilman Sean Granahan said that council is now asking that a full set of drawings be submitted to the borough before a zoning permit is issued.

Mittman has not yet applied for a zoning permit for the proposed apartment building.

LaMont said “some money” needed to be moved into the Police Pension Account.

Skinner said the amount to be moved was $21,000 and council voted to transfer funds into that account.

Council also voted to hire an engineer, Francis Fruehan, to make a recommendation on whether the borough garage building is salvageable or if it should be leveled and a new one built.

Councilman Craig Reimel said the cost for Fruehan’s assessment would run $1200-$2000. Reimel was not sure when Fruehan would be able to look at the building.

A parade honoring N.Y. Giant Super Bowl champ and Montrose-area native Chris Snee slated for March 10 will not be happening due to a conflict in schedule availability for Snee.

Council offered its congratulations to Snee for his second championship win.

Two resolutions involving the Streetscape Project were adopted by council.

The first agreement recognizes the Susquehanna County Housing and Redevelopment Authority administration of the Streetscape grant.

The second resolution authorized the filing of the proposed fund with DCED for the project.

On behalf of the Montrose Restoration Committee, Judy Kelly said the group is seeking additional funding to complete the Streetscape Project in the borough.

Kelly said that with the Rt. 706 project starting this year, the Streetscape needed to happen in a timely manner.

Relay for Life was granted permission to hang a banner onPublic Ave.promoting this year’s event which will be held June 23-24 at the Montrose Area High School.

Council also voted to allow Eagle Scout candidate Anthony Augenti help organize borough ordinances and resolutions as an archival project.