After receiving Right to Know information from Lansford Borough, I addressed my concerns at a borough council meeting regarding the handling of the Hill project. I will condense what I pointed out as best I can.

First, there were 3 checks written to Kenneth R. Hill and Jeanette M. Hill on 2 different dates. A check for $22,542.03 was dated 10/12/22 and a check for $45,999.07 also dated 10/12/22. They were signed by Bruce Markovich and Shantel Lauer (no title for either nor memo information.) Learned the first check was for a piece of land of Hills; the second was the former Zimmerman building. The third check for $75,000 was dated 06/14/23 signed by Markovich and Wendy Butrie. A motion made at 1/18/22 meeting to purchase property for no more than $150,000, did not indicate payment method. An agreement of sale dated 9/20/2022 indicated the borough was purchasing lot PRC#122-24-P2.01 from the Hills with the conditional deposit of $7,500. Balance due at settlement which was due by Jan. 1, 2023 or sooner.

None of the 3 checks were voted on prior to being written. They were later placed in a monthly list of “Bills to be Paid.”

For weeks Bruce has said a grant for $75,000 was coming, if it does not materialize, the borough will be out that amount. Bruce has said no borough funds would be used. All $ 82,500 (they forgot to subtract the $7,500 deposit; check should have been $67,500) were borough funds. In my opinion the borough should never have taken on this project. Other local stations were handled and spearheaded by separate groups. Presently the borough has major projects on which they should be concentrating. Bruce answered some questions, but the board did not look interested.

Respectfully submitted,

Rose Mary Cannon

Lansford