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Blakely Council approves CDBG and police-vehicle grant applications, tables pension increase
Summary
Blakely Borough Council on Oct. 21 approved a $122,145 CDBG application and authorized a Monroe County Local Share application for an $85,347 police SUV, while tabling an ordinance to raise a non-uniform pension benefit to $2,550 per month.
Blakely Borough Council approved two grant-related resolutions and postponed consideration of a proposed pension benefit increase at its Oct. 21 meeting.
Solicitor Atty. Abrahamsen read Resolution 24 of 2024 authorizing the Lackawanna County Commissioners to apply for Federal Fiscal Year 2024 Community Development Block Grant funds totaling $122,145. Councilmember Jeffrey Cruciani moved to approve the resolution and Councilmember Kevin Swift seconded; the motion passed with all ayes.
Atty. Abrahamsen then read Resolution 25 of 2024 authorizing Borough Secretary Christopher R. Paone to apply for a Monroe County Local Share Account to help purchase a new Chevy Tahoe 4x4 police vehicle priced at $85,347.09. Councilmember Joseph Munley moved approval and Councilmember Edward J. Alco Jr. seconded; the motion passed unanimously.
Earlier in the meeting the solicitor asked the council to table Ordinance 4 of 2024, which would increase the lifetime retirement benefit for members of the borough's non-uniform pension fund to $2,550.00 per month. Councilmember Edward J. Alco Jr. moved to table the ordinance, Councilmember Kyle Burak seconded, and the motion carried on a unanimous voice vote.
The meeting record also includes routine finance items read by Secretary Paone: a 2023 PURTA distribution of $930.78, an estimated 2025 Liquid Fuels and Turnback payment of $191,436.51 from PennDOT, a 2024 municipal pension payment of $280,148.67 from the Pennsylvania Auditor General, and a $2,100 settlement check from Hino Motors LTD. Council approved the bills presented for payment; general payables were listed at $155,196.80 and electric payables at $30,677.44.
Next steps: the borough will proceed with the grant applications as authorized; the pension ordinance remains tabled pending further action.
