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Dunmore residents ask council to confirm Little League lease; visitor warns of rising homelessness
Summary
During public comment, Dunmore Little League requested a copy of a lifetime lease after paying off a loan and discovering unclear property records; a community activist urged council to prepare for an increase in homelessness and shelter demand in the region.
DUNMORE — Two members of the public raised separate concerns during the Dunmore Borough Council public‑comment period on Sept. 9: a Little League representative sought clarity about title and lease documentation for ballfields used by the league, and a visiting activist warned that homelessness in the region is growing and urged local shelters and officials to prepare.
Little League lease: Jim O’Malley (802 Cooney St.), speaking for Dunmore Little League, said the league recently paid off a loan used to build the current complex and discovered recordkeeping gaps about ownership and any lease arrangement. "We don't have anything in place as far as a lease agreement... we're kind of looking for Council's help on that," O’Malley said.
Councilmember Michael Dempsey responded that a lifetime lease for a nominal dollar was established roughly in 2002 and that the borough should have a copy of the document in its records. "It is a lifetime lease and it does exist," Dempsey said, and council committed to help locate the paperwork and provide a copy to the league.
Homelessness concerns: Ant Marquis, a musician and community activist, told council that he has observed an increase in homelessness across the region and urged local officials to consider shelter capacity and other supports. He said shelters he had stayed in were overcrowded and called for coordination to expand capacity or services. Council acknowledged the comment but did not provide immediate action steps during the meeting.
Why it matters: The Little League request has potential legal and operational implications for who holds responsibility for maintenance and improvements at the fields; confirming lease status affects long‑term planning for youth sports and borough land use. Public concerns about homelessness were raised as a regional issue affecting Dunmore and neighboring communities.
What council said it would do: Councilmembers and borough staff said they will search borough records for the lease document and follow up with the league. No formal motions or actions related to homelessness were taken during the meeting.
