HONESDALE, PA — At the beginning of the February 3 meeting, the Honesdale Borough Council members voted to accept the resignation of councilor Tim Lauffenberger. To find a replacement, council president Mike Augello said that the borough will send out a press release, accept application submissions from the public and choose a new councilor at the next meeting later this month.

The borough is also still seeking candidates for its civil service commission and planning commission. Augello implored the public and members of the press to get the word out that the borough is “desperately” seeking applicants for these commissions.

Later, the council voted to accept two recommendations from Mayor Sarah Canfield regarding “personnel matters” and a recommendation from Borough Police Chief Richard Southerton regarding a “reduction in rank.” The council would not discuss any details of these recommendations, saying that it was privileged information.

Looking to resolve some traffic issues in town, specifically back-ups on Main Street and Church Street, councilor Jim Jennings proposed reallocating 2014 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to install video protection equipment and replacement of pedestrian audio signals at the intersection of Park Street and Main Street. Jennings also reported that the timber harvest project which has closed Gibbons Park should be completed in the near future.

At the end of the meeting, borough secretary Judith Poltanis said that internet was now available to residents and businesses through the provider Icon Technologies Inc. The borough has a contract with the provider in which it receives a portion of the revenue when borough residents or businesses sign up. The company has installed internet in the borough office and has begun installation in the public works building. Next it will work on getting internet for the police department and the borough parks.