DALTON — During October’s council meeting, Council President Bill Brandt, in his public works report, said that he filed the public roads and the residences for flood damages with Lackawanna County. He said that the damages totaled $1.2 million.
“We’re hoping we can get some of the money that we need to come in here to fix the roads,” he said. “If not, we’ll be paying for it ourselves or we have to go through some grants.”
Brandt said that council started the grant process. He also mentioned that some of the equipment that was submerged from the flood is going to hopefully covered through insurance.
In other business, council voted to approve Resolution 22-2023, which authorizes it to execute and file an application for a local share grant on behalf of Dalton Sewer Authority to acquire a heavy-duty pickup truck in the amount not to exceed $48,882.28.
In her planning/zoning report, Councilwoman Elizabeth Bonczar read a letter on behalf of Dalton Planning Commission to approve the request of Francis B. Walsh and William and Mary Sheehan to allow a lot line adjustment that impacts both properties on Woodwind Hills Drive. She said that the Sheehans don’t have access for the front of their home to the roadway because the current lot line obstructs such frontage by the property owned by Walsh.
“Mr. Walsh has no objection to this lot line adjustment and neither does the Woodwind Hills Homeowners Association,” she said.
Bonczar said that borough engineer John Seamans and secretary Laura Kinney provided the planning commission with relevant documents, maps and Walsh’s approval of request to the planning commission. She said that it was voted unanimously by the planning commission meeting on Sept. 25. She said that the additional supporting materials given to Kinney include: the original agreement between Walsh and the Sheehans; approval of the Dalton Hearing Board; a letter of confirmation to Attorney John Price, who is representing Sheehan, from Dalton Borough Solicitor Frank Bolock; a letter of Price to Seamans presenting the adjustment request for the planning commission’s consideration; approval from the Lackawanna County Planning Commission; the revised Sheehan/Walsh proposal responding to queries made by Seamans.
Council voted to approve the lot line adjustment.
In her public relations report, councilwoman Heather Burke said that the Dalton Community & Commerce Association’s (DCCA) Farm to Family Fest was successful in spite of the weather.
“The community did a fantastic job with planning it and making sure everything ran smoothly,” she said.
Burke also announced that the tree lighting in Dalton will be on Friday, Nov. 25, and the craft fair will be on Saturday, Nov. 26.
In his building and property report, Councilman David Harrington mentioned that the temporary electronic panel for the municipal building need PPL’s approval. He also said that an engineer will look at the building’s foundation and will be getting prices for the HVAC system.
In his mayor’s report, Aaron Holzman reported that the budget will be ready for approval in the council meeting in November. He said that the garbage fee will most likely increase. He said that he will have the exact amount for the next meeting. He also said that the finance committee is working on the police contract to be approved in the November meeting.
In his grants report, Councilman Brian Malamud mentioned that the two grants – one for Streamside Park and the other for watershed restoration – are ready for final review from the end of October to November.
“At that point, we’ll be moving forward with reapplying for additional funds,” he said.
Malamud suggested to reestablish the grant committee meetings to explore options for the LSA (local share account) grants.
In other business, Brandt said that council sent a proposal to the new owners of the Dalton Post Office to rent the land, which is owned by Dalton Borough Council.
Also, Council voted to approve the LST (local service tax).
