This article was funded by LebTown donors as part of our Civic Impact Reporting Project.
Following the resignation of councilman Tony Fitzgibbons, Cornwall Borough Council plans to appoint a new member at a special meeting April 8 at 6:30 p.m.
After unanimously accepting Fitzgibbons’ resignation at their monthly meeting March 10, council members announced that Cornwall residents interested in filling the open seat must submit letters of interest by March 24.
On March 24 at 6:30 p.m., council will hold a public hearing for prospective members to introduce themselves and explain why they feel qualified for the position. A decision will not be made at that time, but residents are welcome to speak in favor or against candidates for the council’s consideration.
Council did not announce why Fitzgibbons, who was sworn in at the start of 2024, had resigned from his position.
When a borough council member resigns from the post, it is council’s responsibility to appoint a replacement to serve the remainder of the term, which is in this case three years. This most recently occurred with the appointment of Nathan Walmer to council last year after former councilman Al Brandt moved out of the borough.
Read More: Cornwall Borough Council appoints Nathan Walmer to fill Al Brandt’s seat
Also Monday, council voted 4-2 to veto a proposal by Bruce Conrad to establish a monthly workshop meeting, the second in the month. Conrad said this meeting would allow residents to offer feedback outside of the regular monthly meeting.
Solicitor Josele Cleary specified that while workshops are common for municipal governing boards, they are not legally distinct from regular meetings, and council could take action during a second meeting if legally advertised.
Resident Jeremy Zimmerman voiced concerns that many residents, who are already attending both council’s monthly meeting and monthly planning and zoning meetings, may be strained by the pressure to attend a third meeting each month.
In a rare tie, council voted 3-3 on accepting a proposal by Illuminated Integration to complete the A/V system for $45,000. Mayor Mark Thomas, the tiebreaker, voted no.
As of now, council has installed three screens to project plans and relevant items for attendees to look at during the meeting. However, only one was hooked up to township manager Cody Rhoads’ laptop Monday, which he said they are looking to fix for future meetings.
Additional proposed audio/visual improvements include a sound system and camera with Zoom capabilities, Conrad explained.
Council has discussed A/V improvements for over two years. The Zoom capability has seen strong opposition from some and strong support from others.
Read More: Cornwall Borough Council considers $49,000 A/V upgrade to meeting hall
Resident Jo Raussi said that the ability for residents to join borough meetings via a closed Zoom link would allow some residents, like those with kids, to be able to keep up with local government even if unable to do so in-person.
Councilman Nathan Walmer replied that parents looking to participate in meetings should find babysitters “like any responsible parent would do.”
The overall cost has also come under fire, with Thomas noting Monday that his church informed him there are significantly cheaper ways to project content during public meetings.
In public comment, council heard continued complaints from residents of Landmark development Cornwall Junction, who allege inadequate stormwater management on their properties.
Multiple residents cited water pooling in their backyards in what they claim to be swales.
A Landmark representative, who declined to share his name with LebTown, said that stormwater management on these properties “functions as intended … above and beyond what a standard warrantee covers,” referring to the pooling sites as “very subtle low spots.”
He said some problems could be the result of poor maintenance on the part of property owners, adding that this winter has been very wet and some pooling is to be expected.
Matt Tsirnikas of the fire department said the department has received multiple calls to pump basements in the neighborhood, even needing to add a second pump to one home.
The Landmark representative said homeowners are given a choice as to whether they would like to purchase pumps, and that developers cannot control whether a basement ultimately floods.
Residents request that the borough not accept the development’s dedication until issues are resolved, though Cleary clarified that the borough only accepts dedication of roads.
However, the borough does hold financial security for the development, which will be dispensed depending on whether Landmark accurately enacted its stormwater management and housing plans.
Council also heard continued debate over the ownership of a 3-acre triangle containing the emergency access to Spring Hill Acres, though no resolution has been reached.
Read More: Cornwall Borough council hears debate over Spring Hill Acres access
In other news, council:
- Heard that PennDOT has patched holes in front of Spring Hill Acres.
- Directed the solicitor to continue negotiations on a cell tower to be placed on borough property, with the borough to collect 40 percent of earnings.
- Unanimously agreed to apply for an LSA grant on behalf of the fire company.
- Unanimously agreed to appoint Brianna Laliberte of Lebanon County EMS as the borough’s emergency management coordinator.
- Unanimously approved the advertisement and preparation of ordinances to vacate and rezone part of Gold Road as part of an ongoing collaboration with a neighbor.
- Unanimously agreed to direct Rhoads to request a two year lease for financing a $214,103 dump truck if possible, and accept a four year lease if not.
- Unanimously agreed to advertise 2025 road projects for bid.
- Unanimously agreed to approve a time extension for Landmark development Quinn Estates.
Cornwall Borough Council meets the second Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. These meetings are open to the public and do not require prior registration.
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