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LUZERNE – Borough Council approved a motion Wednesday night to outsource the work of the borough secretary, effective immediately.
The vote was 4-2, with Michael Jancuska and Jason Tarreto opposed. Council member Kurt Santayana was absent from the meeting. Council then authorized the use of a temporary agency, Action, to provide temporary secretarial help at $15 an hour for a maximum of 20 hours a week.
When asked by the public how much notice was being given to the secretary, it was stated she would be told by phone call or when she arrived for work.
At the request of the Graham Academy, council approved a resolution authorizing the school’s staff to use a temporary speed bump in front of their school when students are being dropped off and picked up. The school had expressed safety concerns, and it had offered to provide and use the temporary speed bump.
Council also passed a personnel motion covering the monthly hiring of police officers with an hourly pay structure ranging from $16 for the chief to $12.50 for officers.
The meeting got off to a rocky start. Approximately a dozen residents waited outside the borough building in the cold until the doors were opened at 7:03 p.m. After the door was opened, officials told the public council would go into an executive session and the public would have to go back outside. After complaints from the public, council members decided they could use the mayor’s office for the executive session, and that the public could remain in the borough building.
After a 45-minute executive session, council, in addition to acting on the secretary, passed a motion to award the contract for demolition of the building at 160 Main St. to Brdaric Excavating. The demolition of the building is being paid by a grant through the county.
At the request of RJ Walker, Council passed a resolution authorizing a 15-minute loading and unloading area in front of businesses during regular business hours.
Approximately a dozen residents waited outside the borough building in the cold until the doors were opened at 7:03 p.m. After the door was opened, officials told the public council would go into an executive session and the public would have to go back outside.