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Dunmore Council approves Chestnut Street CDBG reallocations, PennDOT crosswalk work and multiple local contracts; resident urges alley repairs
Summary
At its May 12 meeting the Dunmore Borough Council voted unanimously to reallocate CDBG funds into the Chestnut Street project, approve a PennDOT crosswalk-painting/services exchange worth $14,287, authorize engineering and road-improvement agreements for the Keystone Industrial Park and approve several facility and personnel items; a resident urged the borough to mill and repave a long-deteriorated alley during public comment.
Dunmore Borough Council on May 12 unanimously approved a package of infrastructure and operational items, including Community Development Block Grant modifications that return funds to the Chestnut Street project, a PennDOT crosswalk-painting exchange, a five-year engineering services authorization and several routine contracts and appointments.
"So the CDBG funding — that's where we're doing our Chestnut Street project," Borough Manager Greg Wolff said as he explained modification certifications for 2020 ($1,000), 2021 ($4,359.36), 2023 ($169,239) and 2024 ($165,788). Council voted to accept the certifications after Wolff said the county requested the paperwork and funds previously reserved for a first-time homebuyers placeholder are being moved back into the Chestnut Street account.
The council also approved a PennDOT "agility" work plan under which PennDOT will repaint crosswalks and the borough will perform street-sweeping on state-owned roads in an in-kind exchange valued at $14,287. Wolff and Council members described the scope — repainted crosswalks from the Borough Building down Blakely Street and at other key crossings — and noted the agreement includes no direct cash payment.
Council authorized a professional services agreement with Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. (GPI) to provide engineering services and to be eligible for PennDOT bidding and work for the Keystone Industrial Park and other state projects for the next five years. Separately, the council approved Resolution 7 of 2025 authorizing Wolff to sign PennDOT agreement R25040010 for Keystone Industrial Park road improvements; members described the overall program as long-awaited and credited President Janet Brier and staff for securing approximately $1.8 million in state and federal funding toward the effort.
Routine contracts were also approved: a $6,650 contract with Miller Sports Construction to sand and refinish the Community Center gym floor (work scheduled for mid-October, with a five-day timeline), and authorization for the borough manager to sign related PennDOT forms needed to advance other roadway projects. Council approved Dennis Reed as a part-time firefighter; Fire Chief DeNaples said Reed passed physical and background checks but still must complete pump-operations training this month before orientation can begin.
Treasurer Mark Burton reported April net income of $1.3 million and year-to-date net income of $2.7 million, citing a $1.5 million increase in real-estate tax collections and noting miscellaneous rebates and insurance claims. "That's all I have," Burton said; council members thanked him for the report.
During public comment, resident Debra Murphy described a long-running problem with an alley behind her home near Delaware Street, saying repeated patching has failed and that mud from the deteriorated surface is tracking into her house. "I have been asking to have it paved ... The holes, there's mud all over my house," Murphy said. Council members acknowledged the chronic condition, discussed options — including milling and the complexities of deed or ownership changes — and directed staff to inspect the alley and follow up.
Another resident, yoga instructor Bob Ruddy, requested use of borough facilities for low-cost community yoga classes; council members and staff suggested alternate locations and offered to follow up on available dates and rental rules.
Police Chief Marchese and Fire Chief DeNaples gave routine monthly reports: Marchese reported 1,065 calls for service in April with several arrests and new pedestrian crosswalk enforcement tied to grant funding; DeNaples said ladder-truck testing and parts delays have affected apparatus refurbishment and noted overtime increases related to a medical emergency for a firefighter.
Council announced a summer meeting schedule to reduce meetings to one per month in June, July and August. The meeting adjourned by unanimous voice vote.
Next steps: staff will complete PennDOT paperwork, move forward on the Chestnut Street project accounting changes, schedule the gym-floor work for mid-October and inspect the alley raised in public comment to report back to council.
