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Dunmore council approves streetscape and pedestrian grant applications, promotes three sergeants and fills municipal positions
Summary
At its Aug. 12 meeting, Dunmore Borough Council authorized three grant applications totaling roughly $2.31 million for streetscape and pedestrian improvements, awarded a $70,265 Phase 1 building-improvement contract, approved hiring and temporary appointments in DPW and the police department, and promoted three officers to sergeant.
DUNMORE — Dunmore Borough Council on Aug. 12 approved several grant applications, contracts and personnel moves intended to advance downtown streetscape work and shore up municipal staffing.
The council authorized Resolution No. 8, a $1,366,455 DCED Multimodal grant application for Dunmore Corners Streetscape Phase 1, and Resolution No. 9, a $441,429 DCED Multimodal application to improve pedestrian and ADA access on East Drinker Street. Council also approved acting as a passthrough applicant for a $500,000 Local Share Assessment (LSA) grant on behalf of the Dunmore School District.
"This funding will be for the section of Drinker Street between Blakely and Apple," Mayor Conway said, adding he had worked with local business owners and outside designers on project plans. The grant approvals were unanimous.
Council approved LR Costanzo as the lowest responsible bidder for the 2024 Borough Building Improvements Phase 1 in the amount of $70,265. "We advertised. We had a competitive bidding process... the lowest responsible bidder... was LR Costanzo in the amount of $70,265," Borough Manager Greg Wolff said; officials said Phase 1 work will focus on concrete sidewalks and the frontage near the fire station and Borough Building.
The council approved use of Keystone Landfill DEP fine funds to donate $10,000 each to Sherwood Park and St. Anthony's Park and $5,000 to support the borough-sponsored Feral Cat Program. Council members said the parks distribution aimed to respond to community requests and that trap-neuter-release costs are substantial.
Council also approved a Professional Services Agreement with Keystone Consulting Engineers to provide health officer services after the previous inspector left; Wolff said the arrangement preserves the same inspector under a different company and reduces hourly costs.
In personnel decisions, council appointed Nicholas Dunda to full-time status in the Department of Public Works and approved Joseph Nemeth as a temporary DPW laborer. The council named Jonathan Mclee, Katia Harris, Dontae Edwards and (per an amended agenda) Peter Hilburn as part-time police officers.
Council promoted three officers to the rank of sergeant — Stephon Burgette, Thomas Richardson and Michael Igoe — after Civil Service testing and interviews. "He's a super reliable officer," Mayor Conway said of Burgette during discussion, and council members praised all selectees' community engagement and qualifications. Members noted shift assignments and implementation will follow the borough's collective bargaining agreements.
All motions were made, seconded and carried by voice votes recorded in the meeting transcript.
What happens next: Council will share designs for the streetscape project publicly; grant awards, if approved by DCED, will be subject to state timelines and any required match or conditions. Departmental hires and promotions will proceed under applicable employment rules and collective bargaining provisions.
