First Posted: 1/21/2015
PITTSTON — At its regular monthly meeting held on Tuesday, council proclaimed that Feb. 16 will be recognized as Lithuanian Independence Day in the city of Pittston.
A ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 16 in the first floor conference room of at Pittston City Hall, 35 Broad St. The raising of the Lithuanian flag will be done at the ceremony.
According to Pittston City Manager Joseph Moskovitz, the proclamation is approved every year by council for Feb. 16. He said the proclamation was made at the Tuesday meeting because it fell prior to the next council meeting set for Wednesday, Feb. 18.
“We have a very sizable Lithuanian community,” said Moskovitz. “The Lithuanian community has been here for a very long time. For decades, the city has been hosting this Lithuanian Day celebration at City Hall for the Lithuanian Society. Every year we do this and the proclamation is presented by the mayor.
“It’s a courtesy and celebrating with the Lithuanian community in the city, it’s celebrating their Independence Day. It’s important to them and important to us.”
This year the ceremony will be held on President’s Day, but Moskovitz said city hall will be open.
Council also voted to approve, adopt and enact an ordinance codification, or an organization of ordinances, and for the repeal of certain legislation.
Moskovitz said it’s all about keeping current ordinance fees the same under the city’s code.
“What this is, is all the fees stay the same,” said Moskovitz. “We’re talking about fees like false alarm fees, fees like amusement machines we have fees for, permits and licensing fees. What this resolution does is removes all previous legislations into one resolution which now allows city council to amend those fees by resolution, which originally had to be approved by ordinance that included advertising and things like that. So, now they will be changed by resolution amongst the council.”
Another item approved was the authorization of appropriate city officials to sign and execute a Vehicle Lease Agreement for the City of Pittston for $1 to lease a fire apparatus consisting of a 2012 Kovatch Mobile Equipment Custom Pumper from the Pittston Volunteer Fireman’s Relief Association.
“We agree to take on the operation of the vehicle,” said council member Michael Lombardo. “It’s just like when you lease a car. We take care of the maintenance, insurance, we fuel it, maintain it, etc. It’s available for use for the fire people.”
Other agenda items approved included:
• The purchase of a street sweeper for the total of $185,444.99, which Moskovitz said will be delivered prior to the Pittston St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Mar. 7.
• Approval of two payment applications for the Pittston Memorial Library Addition project to Berger Construction, one in the amount of $189,575.10 and the other in the amount of $137,819.32.
• Appoint Girard Mecadon to fill the expired term of Jackie Musto Carroll on the Pittston Memorial Library Board of Trustees, effective immediately. The term will expire Oct. 1 later this year.
• The closing of Wharf Street between Dock and Market Streets between the hours of 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. on Saturday, March 7 to accommodate the Greater Pittston Ambulance for safety reasons in preparation for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Celebration.
