Wilkes-Barre — Public comment at the Dec. 11 City Council meeting focused on municipal services and household impacts after the city’s budget passed. Sam Troy, a local resident, strongly criticized the doubling of the sewer fee and urged the council for a "full explanation," saying the increase would burden taxpayers and worsen demand for food assistance.

Troy raised several fiscal concerns: he said he understood American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds were exhausted and questioned whether the administration had sought cuts before increasing fees. "We're getting hit," Troy said, arguing that fee increases and other charges mean residents "have to get ready to dig deeper in their pockets." He asked whether the council could still tweak the budget to provide additional relief for senior citizens or people suffering economic hardship.

Administrator Charles McCormack responded to budget questions by reiterating the TAN rationale as short-term cash flow: "Cash flow to pay bills," he said, and noted the city had in past years prepaid portions of a note to reduce interest. The meeting record does not show a policy reversal or a vote to change the sewer fee during this session.

Later in the public-comment period Virginia Thomas of Dana Street thanked the council and staff for recent work on her street but said utility work installed since June had left a messy condition and that paving remained incomplete. "All the trucks and vehicles were back. All a mess," Thomas said, adding that rain would further degrade the roadway if paving did not proceed. Council and staff indicated pavement scheduling was weather-dependent and that remaining work likely would follow completion of related utility repairs on nearby streets.

Why it matters: Constituents described immediate household impacts from rising utility fees and deferred street repairs. Councilors and staff heard requests for clearer justification of budget choices and for timely completion of local infrastructure projects. The meeting transcript records public concern but does not document specific council action to rescind or alter the sewer fee during the session.

The council adjourned after closing remarks and holiday wishes.