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Residents press Dunmore Council on park cleanup, noise, alley ownership and apartment parking
Summary
At the July 8 meeting, residents and a county representative urged action on park cleanup and events, reported ongoing, high‑volume noise and harassment in a neighborhood (magistrate hearing July 16), and raised an alley‑ownership dispute and concentrated parking/possible illegal apartments; Council and staff requested legal and code follow‑up.
Multiple residents used Dunmore Borough Council’s July 8 public‑comment period to press for action on local quality‑of‑life and park projects.
Mark Cordelli of Lackawanna County reviewed upcoming county events and programs including Arts in the Park at Merli Sarnoski Park, courthouse Noon Tunes concerts, the seniors farmers'‑market voucher distribution July 24, youth soccer clinics, Camp Create for children with special needs, and an orienteering national championship planned at Merli Sarnoski Park. Cordelli left informational fliers for the Borough.
Charles Ehnot, president of the Sherwood Youth Association, requested use of available DEP/penalty funds to begin clearing decades of dumped debris behind the Missy League stadium and indoor batting cage so the group can pursue grant‑funded redevelopment (an ADA walking path, solar lights, small multiuse fields, a dog park and pavilions). "Things were dumped back there many, many, many years ago... what we're looking to do is obviously it's a safety concern to begin with," Ehnot said.
Resident Jerry Cruser described ongoing noise and harassment from a neighbor’s amplified music and vehicle‑based bass that he said registered 96 decibels within his home, and recounted prior court activity; he said a magistrate hearing was scheduled July 16. Cruser asked Council to review noise ordinances used by nearby boroughs and consider stronger local prohibitions. Council advised the resident that police and the magistrate process were engaged and that Council would review comparable ordinances.
Resident James Campbell raised a property dispute over an alley he said his deeds list as public; Solicitor Michael Perry and Council advised that Campbell’s private attorney should contact the Borough solicitor to provide proof of ownership before Council could act. Council said it relied on solicitor research to determine municipal responsibilities for roads and alleys.
Councilmember Elizabeth Zangardi raised a separate neighborhood concern about concentrated parking and alleged unpermitted apartments on Homestead/Frank streets that she said blocked sidewalks and fire access. Police and fire chiefs said they inspected the area and recommended code/ zoning follow‑up with the Borough’s code official (NEIC) to verify permitted apartment counts and parking sufficiency.
Council pledged follow‑up steps: consult with the solicitor on the alley dispute if provided legal proof, coordinate code/zoning inspections for alleged illegal apartments, and work with Sherwood Youth Association and staff on park‑cleanup funding options.
