Notices

Freeland Borough Planning Commission
Regular Meeting: 10/9/2025 at 7:00pm
Location: Freeland Borough Building
Agenda

1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Public Comment for Agenda Items
4. Old Business
   a. Formally Submitted Subdivision Plans
   b. Draft Bylaws, rules, and regulations
   c. Letters to partners
5. Freeland Borough Planning Commission Non-Agenda Items
6. Public Comment for Non-Agenda Items
7. Action Items for next meeting
8. Adjournment

The Freeland Borough Council Regular Meeting has been continued to Wednesday, September 24, 2025 at 6:00pm at the Freeland Borough Building 526 Fern Street, Freeland

Freeland Borough September 2025 Regular Meeting

September 18th, 2025 @ 6:00pm Agenda

526 Fern St. Freeland, PA 18224

1. Call To Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Roll Call

Joshua Richie___ present ___ absent                                  Frank Kislan___ present ___ absent

Barbara Tulanowski___ present ___ absent                         Tom Meyers___ present ___ absent

Frederick Ackers ___ present ___ absent                       Rich DeStefano___ present ___ absent

Jim Fisher___ present ___ absent                        Joe Palko Sr.  (Mayor)___ present ___ absent

• Executive Sessions
• Public Comment (3 minutes on Agenda items only)
• Motion to Accept Minutes from the work session on 8/21
• Motion to Accept Minutes from the regular meeting on 8/21
• Motion to Accept Treasurer’s Report
• Motion to Accept the Payment of Bills
• New Business
  • Administration
    • Motion to continue utilizing the Cougar Mountain payroll module with new rates of $24.00 per employee/ per year
• • • Motion to approve the 2026 PMRS Non-Uniform MMO
• • • Motion to approve the 2026 PMRS Uniform MMO
• • • Motion to adopt the Resolution Establishing Procedures for the Payment of Bills Between Public Meetings
• • • Motion to approve the dental insurance renewal with Beam Insurance with a monthly premium of $19.34 per individual
• • • Motion to adopt the Authorized Official Resolution for the DCED Local Share Account Luzerne County grant of $281,444
• • • Motion to adopt a Resolution Approving Signers for the Luzerne County LSA Grant
• • • Motion to approve the quote submitted by T3 technologies for _______ year contract in the amount of $__________ per month for 8 lines with an upfront charge of $__________.
    Finance
    • Nothing
    Public Safety
    • Motion to appoint _____________ for a 4-year term on the Civil Service Commission expiring on September 18, 2029
• • • Motion to engage the professional services of the Law Offices of Koff, Mangan, & Gartley at $240.00 per hour and $150.00 per hour for a paralegal if necessary for the Police contract negotiations
• • • Flock cameras
• • • Motion to distribute .07 mills of the Delinquent Real Estate Taxes received in 2024 to the Freeland Fire Department Apparatus account in the amount of $1,041.07
• • • Motion to distribute .325 mills of the Delinquent Real Estate Taxes received in 2024 to the Freeland Northside Community Ambulance Association EMS account in the amount of $5,577.17
• • • Motion to release $3,127.50 of the EMS Funds to the Freeland Northside Community Ambulance Association for reimbursement of September 2025 budgeted expenses.
     Public Works
    • Motion to hire __________ as full-time laborer with the DPW per CBA
• • • .Motion to pay M&J Excavation Inc. Pay App 1 in the amount of $88,520.52
• • • Motion to pay M&J Excavation Inc. Pay App 2 in the amount of $4,658.98
• • • Motion to adopt an Ordinance of the Freeland Borough establishing a no parking zone on Johnson Street -500 block, even numbered side between the intersection of Johnson Street with Birkbeck Street and Pine Street
• • • Motion to adopt PennDOT Winter Maintenance Service Agreement Signatory Resolution listing Joshua Richie as signatory
• • • Motion to approve the amended PennDOT 10-Year Winter Maintenance Service Agreement
• • • Motion to approve the handicap parking request at 545 Front Street
• • • Motion to engage the professional services of Baer & Evans to survey and file paperwork for reverse subdivisions of _____________parcels along Birkbeck Street and Johnson Street
    Code Enforcement and Zoning
    • Motion to approve a certificate of appropriateness for 815 Front Street
• • • Motion to approve a certificate of appropriateness for 827 South Street
• • • Motion to adopt an Ordinance Amending Chapter 5 of the Borough Code to Add Part 5, Creating the position of Multi-Role Enforcement Officer and Defining Duties and Responsibilities
  • Recreation
    • Motion to approve the Freeland Whippet’s request to host their Homecoming Celebration on October 11, 2025, from 4:00pm to 10:00pm including a bonfire, food trucks, and field day activities.
    • Motion to accept the resignation of Therese Morrison
• Open Public Comment (3 minutes)
• Adjournment of Meeting

Freeland Borough September 2025 Work Session

September 18th, 2025 @ 5:00pm Agenda

526 Fern St. Freeland, PA 18224

1. Call To Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Roll Call

Joshua Richie___ present ___ absent                                  Frank Kislan___ present ___ absent

Barbara Tulanowski___ present ___ absent                         Tom Meyers___ present ___ absent

Jim Fisher___ present ___ absent                                 Frederick Ackers ___ present ___ absent

Rich DeStefano___ present ___ absent                Joe Palko Sr.  (Mayor)___ present ___ absent

• Executive Sessions
•  Mayor’s Forum
• Reports
  • Solicitor
• • Engineer
• • Police Chief
• • Fire Chief
• • Ambulance Chief
• • DPW Foreman
• • Codes & Zoning Officer
• • 150th Committee Chair
  • Planning Commission/FCRA
• Question and answer session regarding the YMCAs proposal for Public Park land or other potential sites
• Administration  
  • Administration update
• • Payroll module increase, cost now $740/yr was $400/yr
• • PMRS MMOs
• • Discuss proposed resolution establishing procedures for payment of bills between public meetings
• • Discuss dental insurance renewal
• • Current Grant Applications
    • Statewide LSA application for 300-400 block of Centre Street
• • • Luzerne County LSA need to approve signers via resolution
• • • TASA
• • • MTF
    Codification Update
  • Discuss Phone System Upgrade
• Finance
  • Solid Waste Summary including PAMS Update$57,600.00 paid back to the General Fund of the $172,300.00 that was borrowed to pay the Borough’s garbage bills in 2023 and early 2024.
• • Discuss delinquent account collections by PAMS
• • Discuss first round of lien executions.
• • Possible rebate or discount for low-income senior citizens
• • Department and committee budgets due prior to October meeting
  • Pennvest update
• Public Safety
  • Police
    • Discuss Vacancy on Police Commission and need for additional Commissioner
• • • Discuss engaging the professional service of labor counsel for PD contract negotiations
• • • Update on Part-time patrolman hiring
• • • Police Cadet sample contract discussion
• • • CODY record management discussion
• • • Flock camera discussion
    Fire
    • Discuss New Firehouse Project
• • • Discuss financing options for the command vehicle
• • • Discuss distribution of Delinquent Real Estate Taxes received in 2024 for years prior $1,041.07
    EMS
    • Discuss September reimbursement request $3,127.50
• • • Discuss distribution of Delinquent Real Estate Taxes received in 2024 for years prior $5,577.17
    Street Department
    • Discuss vacant full-time position
• • • Discuss paving alleys and additional street work
• • • Graham Street Paving Project Pay App 1 in the amount of $88,520.52 and Pay App 2 in the amount $4,658.98
• • • Johnson Street Parking Restriction Ordinance
• • • PennDOT Winter Maintenance Service Agreement Signatory Resolution listing Joshua Richie as signatory
• • • Handicap parking request for 545 Front Street
• • • Discuss reserved parking for businesses
    Buildings & Grounds
    • Discuss getting a survey and reverse subdivision of the Johnson and Birkbeck Streets property
  • Code Enforcement and Zoning
    • Discuss Zoning Hearing Request/ Certificate of Appropriateness for 827 South Street
  • • Discuss Zoning Hearing Request/ Certificate of Appropriateness for 815 Front Street
    • MREO Ordinance
• Recreation
  • Freeland Whippets request approval to host their Homecoming Celebration on October 11, 2025, from 4:00pm to 10:00pm which will include a bonfire, food trucks, and field day activities.
  • Resignation of Therese Morrison
• Public Comment (3 minutes)
• Adjournment of Meeting

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Freeland Borough Zoning Hearing Board will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 6:30 P.M. at the Freeland Borough Building, 526 Fern Street, Freeland, Pennsylvania to hear the Appeal of Krista Avillion from July 10, 2025 determination of the Borough Zoning Officer, which had granted the permit of Victor and Jasmine Vega and J&V Vega Properties, LLC, to keep and raise livestock at 1156 Schwabe Street Rear, Freeland in a C-1 (Conservation) district. Appellant relies upon section 305 of the Zoning Ordinance (lots divided by zoning district boundaries) and challenges the location of the zoning district boundary line as determined by the Zoning Officer’s determination.

Documents relating to the above application are on file at the Freeland Borough and may be examined during regular business hours.

OBJECTORS SHOULD ATTEND THIS HEARING IF THEY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR WISH TO BE HEARD.

FREELAND BOROUGH ZONING HEARING BOARD 526 FERN STREET

FREELAND, PA 18224

Regular Meeting: 9/11/2025 at 7:00pm

Location: Freeland Borough Building

Agenda

1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Approval of July & August Meeting Minutes
4. Public Comment for Agenda Items
5. Old Business
   1. Draft Response to Council Resolution Concerning the Freeland Borough Planning Commission
   1. Draft Letter to Planning Partners
   1. Environmental & Developmental Concerns related to Historic Mining and the Jeddo Tunnel
6. New Business
   1. Draft “Coat of Arms” for use on Freeland Borough Planning Commission “letterhead”
   1. Draft Bylaws, Rules, and Regulations
7. Freeland Borough Planning Commission Non-Agenda Items
8. Public Comment for Non-Agenda Items
9. Action Items for next meeting
10. Adjournment

August 21st, 2025 @ 6:00pm Agenda

526 Fern St. Freeland, PA 18224

1. Call To Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Roll Call
4. Executive Sessions
5. Public Comment (3 minutes on Agenda items only)
6. Motion to Accept Minutes from the work session on 7/17
7. Motion to Accept Minutes from the regular meeting on 7/17
8. Motion to Accept Minutes from the special meeting on 8/5/2025
9. Motion to Accept Treasurer’s Report
10. Motion to Accept the Payment of Bills
11. New Business
    1. Administration
       1. Motion to engage the professional cleaning services of _____________ not to exceed $__________ per month.
12. Motion to approve quote from ____________ for a new phone system at 526 Fern St. not to exceed $ _____________
13. Motion to adopt the MCCC Ordinance
14. Motion to adopt the QOL Appeals and Hearings Ordinance
15. Motion to pay the Barry Isett & Associates DCED MTF grant application preparation invoice in the amount of $4,901.00
16. Finance
17. Public Safety
    1. Motion to release $___________ to the FNCAA for July expense request
    2. Motion to release $___________ to the FNCAA for August expense request
    3. Motion to release $___________ of the 2024 Delinquent Real Estate Tax payments to the FNCAA 
    4. Motion to release $___________ of the 2024 Delinquent Real Estate Tax payments to Valley Regional
    5. Motion to hire ________________ as a part-time patrolman at $_________ per hour not to exceed 32 hours per week.
    6. Motion to enter into a 1-year agreement with FLOCK not to exceed $30,000.00
    7. Motion to adopt the Resolution Adopting the Luzerne County 2025 Hazard Mitigation Plan
    8. Motion to ratify the Peer to Peer Articles of Agreement with the Department of Community and Economic Development and Center.
    9. Motion to approve Officer Muir’s vacation request.
    10. Motion to purchase 3 new computers not to exceed $__________
18. Public Works
    1. Motion to enter into the PennDOT Winter Maintenance Services Agreement
    2. Motion to advertise an Ordinance Establishing a No Parking Zone on Johnson Street 500 Block, Even Numbered Side Between the Intersection of Johnson Street with Birkbeck Street and Pine Street
    3. Motion to draft agreement of sale for tract of public park to Freeland YMCA
19. Code Enforcement and Zoning
    1. Motion to adopt an Ordinance Establishing a Requirement for a Municipal Code Compliance Certificate Prior to the Transfer of Real Property, Pursuant to the Pennsylvania Municipal Code and Ordinance Compliance Act (Act 133 of 2016), as Amended
    2. Motion to adopt an Ordinance Amending Chapter 10, Part 11 (Quality of Life) to Establish Fees and Cost-Sharing Procedures for Appeals and Hearings 
    3. Motion to hire  ________________ as a part-time MREO at $_________ per hour not to exceed 32 hours per week.
20. Recreation
    1. Motion to approve the YMCA’s request to close Sabol Street from 7:00am to 12:00pm on September 13, 2025 and Front Street from Pine Street to Birkbeck Street at 10:00am for the start of the race pending PennDOT approval and receipt of insurance certificate. 
    2. Motion to remove Alba Perez from the Rec Board Auxiliary
21. Open Public Comment (3 minutes)
22. Adjournment of Meeting

August 21st, 2025 @ 5:00pm Agenda

526 Fern St. Freeland, PA 18224

1. Call To Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Roll Call
4. Executive Sessions
5.  Mayor’s Forum
6. Reports
   1. Solicitor
   2. Engineer
   3. Police Chief
   4. Fire Chief
   5. Ambulance Chief
   6. DPW Foreman
   7. Codes & Zoning Officer
   8. 150th Committee Chair
   9. Planning Commission/FCRA
7. Administration
   1. Committee Chair Duties and Responsibilities Update (Part 2)
   2. Current Grant Applications
      1. DCED Multimodal Transportation Fund (MTF) Grant
      2. TASA Grant
   3. Upcoming/Possible Grant Applications
      1. LSA Grant for Borough Building Roof Project (Fall)
      2. Main Street Matters (MSM) Grant
      3. Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2) Grant
      4. Freeland will be eligible for CDBG funding in 2027 and will receive an application in spring of 2026
   4. Codification Update
   5. Discuss Phone System Upgrade
8. Finance
   1. Solid Waste Summary including PAMS Update
   2. Online and over the phone payment fees clarification. 
9. Public Safety
   1. Police
      1. Discuss Vacancy on Police Commission and need for additional Commissioner
      2. Discuss FT Officer Resignation
      3. FLOCK renewal $30,000.00 per year 
      4. Update on Part-time patrolman hiring
      5. Discuss need for new computers
   2. Fire
      1. Discuss New Firehouse Project
      2. Adoption of the Luzerne County Hazard Mitigation Plan Resolution
   3. EMS
      1. Discuss July and August 2025 reimbursement request
      2. Discuss proration of the 2024 Delinquent Real Estate Taxes 
      3. Articles of Agreement to further the investigation into the feasibility of EMS regionalization
10. Public Works
    1. Street Department
       1. Discuss 500 block of Johnson St. proposed parking restriction
    2. Buildings & Grounds
       1. Discuss future of old borough building
       2. Garbage Can Proposal Update
       3. Discuss Public Park tract for YMCA Childcare Facility
       4. Discuss quotes from cleaning services for the borough building
       5. Discuss PennDOT Winter Maintenance Contract (10 year)
       6. Discuss advertising the proposed Ordinance to Restrict Parking on Johnson Street
       7. Borough Security Camera Upgrade Discussion
11. Code Enforcement and Zoning
    1. GOGov Update
    2. MREO Position Update
12. Recreation
    1. 150th Committee Update
    2. YMCA 20th Annual Run for the Children 5K Run/ Walk on Saturday September 13th at 10:00am. Requests the closure of Sabol Street from 7:00am to 12:00pm and a brief closure of Front Street from Pine Street to Birkbeck Street at 10:00am for the start of the race.
    3. Budget request submitted for 2025-2026
    4. Request to remove Alba Perez from the Rec Board Auxiliary  
13. Public Comment (3 minutes)
14. Adjournment of Meeting