Council Transparency: YMCA Expansion Questions Answered
Freeland Borough Council has dedicated itself to transparency since its reorganization in 2024. We have made all meeting minutes, financial statements, and payment of bills available to the public without the need for a FOIA/RTK request. We also now require all council members to use only approved borough emails which are archived for the public record. We are close to being able to stream our meetings and allow public comment virtually. We are wholly committed to and deeply care about the work we are entrusted to do here in Freeland Borough. Those of you who have been at our meetings and involved in our discussions can attest to that.
We hope to clear up some of the information surrounding the possible sale of a portion of the public park to the YMCA.
Q: Has Borough Council been secretly negotiating with the YMCA?
A: No. The idea of a YMCA expansion has been part of ongoing Borough discussions for several months. Different possibilities have been explored, and the topic was first shared publicly at the July Work Session, where three potential locations were identified. This is the normal way Borough business progresses — ideas are explored in committees and work sessions, then moved into regular meetings for consideration.
Q: When was the public first made aware?
A: At the July Work Session, Council presented three possible YMCA locations:
- The current Borough Building
- The recently purchased Birkbeck Street property
- A tract of land along Sabol Street (within the park)
This was a public agenda item and discussed openly.
Q: Why was the YMCA Letter of Intent on the August 21st agenda?
A: Council specifically asked the YMCA to submit a Letter of Intent so there would be a clear proposal to review.
- The LOI was expected earlier but did not arrive until the day of the meeting.
- Since it was already on the agenda, Council was prepared to table it to September if necessary.
Q: What happened at the August 21st meeting?
A: The LOI was received, but before Council could discuss it, the solicitor advised that an appraisal must be completed first to determine fair market value.
- As a result, no discussion of the LOI took place.
- No decisions were made.
Q: Why was there a motion listed on the agenda?
A: Council always places full motions on the agenda whenever an item could potentially require action. This is part of our standard process and ensures full transparency.
- If a matter is not listed on the agenda, Council cannot act on it.
- It is very common for motions to be tabled until more information is available or Council is ready to move forward.
Q: Was time for public input provided?
A: Yes. The YMCA expansion was listed on the public agenda, and residents were able to ask questions. However, Council itself could not deliberate on the LOI until an appraisal is completed, per the solicitor’s direction.
Q: Why is the park being considered at all?
A: The Sabol Street tract is only one of three possible locations Council has reviewed. Council’s role is to look at options, gather facts, and take input from residents before any decision is made.
Q: Why was the park surveyed this year?
A: The survey was done as part of a $68,255 DCNR grant awarded on January 28, 2025, which was secured by the YMCA for park safety and accessibility improvements. One of the immediate projects is installation of fencing along the 185 South Street side of the park.
- The survey is also part of a broader Borough plan to have all properties surveyed to confirm boundaries and support future grant opportunities.
- It was not tied to the YMCA’s request for land.
✅ Bottom Line:
- YMCA expansion has been openly discussed for months, with three possible locations publicly identified.
- Council requested a Letter of Intent, which arrived the day of the August 21 meeting.
- The solicitor required an appraisal first, so no discussion or decisions took place.
- Council always includes motions on the agenda for transparency but frequently tables items until more information is available.
- The park survey was part of a state grant project and broader Borough planning, not a YMCA land deal.
A Note to Our Residents
Freeland Borough Council values and welcomes public input. Residents are free to discuss this issue on Facebook or anywhere else. However, Council will not debate or deliberate on Facebook.
Our role is to conduct official business in public meetings, where records are kept, input is part of the official record, and decisions are made transparently. We will use Facebook to share information and updates, but Council members will not engage in comment threads.
If you want your input to be part of the process, we encourage you to attend our monthly meetings (Work Session at 5:00 PM, Regular Meeting immediately after) and speak during the public comment period.
0 Comments