HONESDALE, PA — Post offices, banks and county offices were closed on June 19 in observance of Juneteenth, the federal holiday that marks the 1865 freeing of enslaved people in the United States. Honesdale Borough, however, was open for business and held its regular monthly council meeting that evening.

In his mayoral report, mayor Derek Williams noted that Juneteenth and Martin Luther King Jr. Day are the only two federal holidays that the borough does not observe.

“I think [Juneteenth] would be a good one… in appreciation of the work of the folks who do public works, office staff, police, et cetera for the borough to consider making [Juneteenth] a holiday,” Williams said.

Borough lacks capacity, so safety concerns linger

Several members of the public raised traffic and safety concerns with the councilors. A common thread ran through the public comment periods; that oftentimes residents voice their concerns and then wait weeks, months, or even years, for a response or action from borough officials.

Joseph Mealey—the first resident to speak—requested a stop sign on the corner of Vine and Ridge streets. Because of blind turns there, Mealey said he’s observed many “close calls” around that intersection, especially during the school year when traffic going to and from Wayne Highlands School District is heavy and motorists are ignoring the 25-mile-per-hour speed limit.

“To make a left or right-hand turn, you have to go into Ridge Street at least six feet before you see an oncoming car,” he said.

Council president Michael Augello said he agreed, and that he personally considers it one of the most dangerous intersections the borough has. The council then voted to refer the matter to the streets committee, public safety committee and the borough’s traffic engineer.

Councilor Jim Hamill said this topic dovetailed with other residents’ longtime issues with stormwater runoff on Ridge Street that have yet to be redressed.

“As we’re going forward, it might be prudent for the streets committee—being involved in the conversation about that stop sign—to also reach out to those homeowners there and inquire about whether or not we can do more as a borough to address those concerns they brought us many, many, many months ago.”

Roger Firmstone came next with a series of concerns regarding the one-way stretch of Erie Street that runs between Terrace Street and State Route 191. He said that for the past six months, he’s been sending the mayor photos and videos of cars going the wrong way on the street, speeding through the stop sign there and parking on the wrong side of the road.

“It’s been six months… and nothing’s happening,” he said. “Why?”

Williams and Augello suggested that Firmstone submit a formal request for the council to consider installing a speed bump there, as well as updated signage to prevent drivers from turning off State Route 191 onto Erie.

For the cars parking on the wrong side of the road, Augello told him he should call the Honesdale police to report it. Firmstone said he’s done that in the past but has only gotten the answering machine or has been told there’s nothing they can do about it.

“Call them every day,” Augello directed him.

Hamill apologized to Firmstone for the borough’s slow response time, and said, “We don’t have the capacity built right now to handle a lot of these complaints or considerations from the public. We just need to build that capacity.”

Michael Stefanov was the last resident to utilize the public comment section and said he’s been asking the borough—though never at a public meeting before—for a storm drain to remedy a foot-and-a-half drop from the sidewalk to the road in front of his home on Ninth Street. He said he’s been told for three years that “they’ll do it in the spring, they’ll do it in the spring.” He said that it’s a hazard for drivers, pedestrians and that it’s causing his basement to flood.

Councilor Bill McAllister, who is on both the streets and stormwater committee, said he’s been to the property multiple times and assured Stefanov that the issue isn’t being ignored.

“Between dollars and people,” McAllister added, however, “we don’t have the people to address all the problems that we have.”

Councilor under investigation, reason unknown 

As solicitor Richard Henry was wrapping up his report of the evening, Hamill asked for clarification on a vaguely discussed topic involving fellow councilor David Nilsen, who is apparently under both civil and criminal investigation. Hamill said it should be mentioned for transparency’s sake.

“At this point, we haven’t even alerted the public to the fact that there is a criminal investigation and a civil matter at hand,” Hamill said to the solicitor. “From a legal standpoint, what is the best way for the public to learn about this matter from council?”

Henry provided no further details into the nature of these investigations, except that the criminal side has been referred to the Wayne County District Attorney’s office, and that the civil sanctions are in the hands of the borough councilors.

At the end of the meeting, when discussing the payment of bills, Hamill brought the matter up again.

“We do have a bill from [the borough’s labor attorney firm] for $2,172.50 and of that, $1,347.50 is the drafting of a memo to council regarding the referral and investigation,” he said. “That’s a pretty large chunk of change. I think the taxpayers should know about as far as what has transpired with Mr. Nilsen.”