Nazareth Borough Council Meeting Public Comment 11-06-06

The Borough Council Meeting of 11-06-06 opened with a period of public comment that ran approximately 40 minutes. There were 18 individuals in the audience and 2/3 media (two were Courtney Lomax and Arlene Martinez, a third person was near them, but not recognized by myself as being with a media outlet or not).

Public Comment:

• In regard to Mr. Davis' previously refusing to salute the flag. Whatever reason he had it was a personal and guaranteed right to do so. I'm not criticizing his right. I never knew why, but I don't like it and it hurts as a veteran.
• Purchase of the building. Citizen groups may be good, but they made a mistake on this one by taking taxable property off the tax roles.
• Citizen Committee didn't make the decision to purchase the building, Council did.
• What is a multi-toned warning siren? Mayor Keller answered signal used has different tones, so you can have signals for different uses. Follow-up - is this the same one from the water boil advisory? Mayor - yes that is where it started. Follow0up, if the fire alam needs replacing, I can understand need to replace. Mayor - Its 60 years old and tough to get parts. Follow-up - how much discussion has there been on this purchase? Council President Dan Chiavarolli stated item is great enough to come to Council and be voted on, but tonight they are not voting on the item, only indicating that the budget figure reflects inclusion of the item.
• How does the 2006 budget relate to the 2007 budget dollar for dollar? Council Treasurer/Secretary Paul Kololus stated can look at it two ways, operating budget and capital budget. There was 4-5% increase in operating budget, but not as much in capital budget.
• The tone device, a different tone is for different emergencies, old signal, thirty years ago, had location code, couldn't something like that be used. Mayor Keller - Concern using existing signal could be confusing. Using multi-tone will reduce confusion. If people here a specific tone they will know to check the web site and tv for more information. Councilperson Werner noted I don't think personally I'd recall which tone was for which. Why not one long blast using same system.
• There are two items on eminent domain and property condemnation. Stated by Council that this is the process. There is a committee meeting every friday and sometime at end of march is target for moving into new facility.
• What is the 128 South Main purchase? Council - that is the old commercial house property. Follow-up - why is eminent domain being used? Solicitor Pierce - an exercise by government to acquire property. Chiavarolli - we were given an opportunity to get a property that we couldn't otherwise get as easily. It is a part of the process. Follow-up - why use eminent domain, can't we have a reason? SOlicitor - doesn't need to be a because. Follow-up - so there is no animosity over the sale, its a technical legal thing (to use eminent domain)? Follow-up - yes.
• What are you going to do with the Commercial House Property? Council - makes it better. Get better access to the back of building, possibly more parking.
• Why does one state eminent domain and the other condemnation? Solicitor - same thing, different terminology. Must pay fair market value and there are many steps to get their. Purchase must be for public use.
• What are the plans for 30 Belvidere property? Council - At this point in time there are no plans for 30 Belvidere.
• Is there any additional money for care for new building? Council - There is $20,000 for building. It's in good shape. We originally had 5,000, upped it in the event of anything unexpected. Costs now are less than current building. Chiavarolli stated that he requested public property committee look at 5 year plan regarding maintenance.
• What is a Knox box? Council - box that houses a master key to the building, accessible to fire, police, ambulance from oustide of the building. Follow up - it can't be broken into? Council - no.
• Helpful to get some background on some items - why you are doing something - for instance hiring a special counsel? Council - litigation related to zoning and there is a conflict with our solicitor so we have a special counsel to handle this one issue.
• Is there a date when you will have the five year plan for maintenance ready, say 3 months? Council - probably six months, th e commitee is focused on the new building.
• Is the committee mentioned as meeting weekly for the new building the public property committee or a new one? And could you give some background, when meet, what doing, and if the meetings are open to the public? (question asked by myself) - Council - not public property but a new committee. Three councilmen (Kopach, Herbst, chair Bowers) and Chief of police, mayor, and council secretary. Meet Fridays at 2:00 p.m. at the new building on S. Main Street. To date they've reviewed drive through, areas currently have in use, up to march of next year. Examined the existing phone and security systems, and discussed furniture that maybe available. Looking at layout of offices, additional access. Follow-up (not by myself) - are meetings open to the public? Council President - that is up to the chairperson of the committee. Councilman Bowers - yes. A discussion followed regarding the fact that the meetings are held in the lafayette bank building and they must be buzzed in, therefore, public can't just show up, but public can't request to be buzzed in or approach bank personel, so must go through committee, and they will provide the process.

This ended the public comment period.