Plymouth council approves infrastructure payments, adopts Right-to-Know policy; zoning review due July 4

PLYMOUTH — The Plymouth Borough Council approved a package of infrastructure payments and a new records-access policy at its June 11 meeting while announcing timelines for zoning and flood projects.

Council Vice President William (Bill) Dixon presided over a session in which councilors said a PennDOT-funded consultant will return recommendations to update the borough’s zoning codes by July 4, with a goal of completing changes by January 2025. “We should have those back by July 4th,” Council member Thomas Hogan said.

The council also heard that Luzerne County granted an extension of ARCA funding for the Coal Street project through 2025, a step council member Adam Morehart described as necessary to complete the work. Morehart said he will attend a FEMA webinar June 18 about a $300 million flood-mitigation funding opportunity and will report details at the next meeting.

On grants, Council member Alexis Eroh said the borough received two Local Share Account (LSA) grants: $150,000 for a new library roof and $100,000 for streetscape engineering services. Eroh also announced a vacancy on the planning agency, with letters of interest accepted at the borough building through July 5 at 3 p.m.

In formal votes, the council:

- Adopted a policy to deny Right-to-Know Act requests submitted by anonymous requestors who do not meet the definition of a requestor under section 102 of the Act; the policy and a notice will be posted on the borough website. The motion was made by Council member Alexis Eroh, seconded by Adam Morehart, and passed 5-0 (two members absent and excused).

- Approved an Electric Service Agreement for Dynegy arranged through Key Energy Consulting LLC (motion by Earl Cunningham; second by Adam Morehart; passed 5-0).

- Authorized payment of $19,502 for 22 trash receptacles for Main Street, funded by a $20,000 Main Street grant (motion by Eroh; second by Cunningham; passed 5-0).

- Approved the final pay request of $15,221.50 to North End Electric for the generator project (motion by Eroh; second by Morehart; passed 5-0).

- Authorized submission of a third DCED payment of $58,400.10 to Pennsy Supply for the manhole/inlet repair project and approved a Pennsy Supply change order adding 26 inlet and frame repairs for $64,889; when asked whether the Wyoming Valley Sewer Authority (WVSA) would offset those costs, councilors were told no (motions passed 5-0).

- Approved payment to McCarthy Tire Service for four new tires for Engine #3 and payment to Stevens & Lee P.C. for loan-related services for the Beade Street Flood Gate Project (motions passed 5-0).

The council accepted the May fire and police reports and approved monthly bills for the General, Liquid Fuels and Recreation funds before adjourning.

During public comment, Linda Johnston of Neighborhood Watch asked for council permission to hold National Night Out on Aug. 6; council suggested possible locations including the municipal lot on Main Street or Huber Field. Mayor Coughlin warned residents about a credit-card phone scam, advising callers to contact their card issuer rather than using a number supplied by an unsolicited caller, and reminded residents to maintain a 150-foot clearance when discharging fireworks.

What’s next: councilors said they will share the PennDOT consultant’s zoning recommendations with the planning commission and solicit public comment before formal code updates are drafted. Morehart will report back on FEMA funding details after the June 18 webinar.