Lansford Borough Council thanked everyone involved in the massive snow removal effort following January’s storm, and ratified and extended a declaration of emergency.

Council also failed to censure one of its members for not posting and informing residents about the snow emergency and hiring contractors to help the borough dig out.

Former Council President Bruce Markovich sought to censure Vice President Joe Genits for his actions during the emergency, saying the state of emergency issued by the mayor was only good for seven days and Genits needed a majority of council to approve those hires under the Borough Code.

“Councilman Genits had no sole authority to hire any contractor or incur any debt without the approval of at least four members of council,” he said. “We were never contacted.”

Genits, who opened the meeting with thanks to everyone who helped the borough with the storm, pointed out that the previous administration and council did not have an emergency plan for a storm.

“There was nothing in the office. There were no notes. There was nothing pre-planned. There were no numbers for me to call,” he said. “I was left, ‘Here, you go figure it out.’ ”

The borough also did not have any outside help under contract to call in for snow removal, Genits said, and he sent out emails to all council members seeking their expertise and suggestions as the emergency unfolded.

Mayor Denise Leibensperger, who issued the emergency declaration, was the only person who responded, he said.

Genits also asked council members if there was a need for a special meeting ahead of its February meeting and again got no response.

“You should know how to call four people, Joe,” Markovich responded. “You know where this came from? It came from you. In 2021, when we had a big snowstorm here in town, you handed this to me. You jumped all over me about this.”

Emergency declaration

Markovich was referring to section of the borough code regarding emergencies and actions council needs to take, such as extending the mayor’s emergency declaration.

The emergency declaration ended after seven days on Feb. 1, and Councilman Jack Soberick asked if the contractors were hired within those first seven days. Council agreed they were.

“He still would have to have a quorum of council members to approve the hiring of the contractors,” Markovich said.

Soberick said they should vote, and Genits called for a vote on his own censure, asking Markovich if he wanted to make that motion.

“The only reason I’m going about this, Joe, is at some point this is going to get caught, either the auditor is going to catch us, or the state is going to catch us. Somebody is going to catch us,” Markovich said.

Markovich said they should ratify the snow emergency, and council members agreed, but no one immediately put forth a motion. Genits asked for a motion, as they were on the agenda item for censure.

“I want to make sure you understand that you have to contact us,” Markovich said to Genits in lieu of a motion, and Genits said he did understand but said Markovich has to understand he got no response form council when he asked.

As council began to debate its next move, solicitor Bob Yurchak interjected.

“Can I just make a suggestion? Can we make a motion to ratify the extension of the emergency and the hiring of the contractors, then call it a lesson learned and move on?”

His suggestion was met with applause, and Soberick said that he would make that motion. Councilman Joe Butrie seconded the motion, and the measure passed 5-2. Markovich and Councilwoman Michele Bartek voted no.

Genits recognized the efforts of Butrie and the three borough workers for their efforts during the storm, as they worked around the clock to keep streets open.

He also thanked the contractors who responded to the borough’s call for assistance, the Lansford police, firefighters and fire police for their efforts in maintaining safety for residents, and office staff who fielded and handled numerous calls and complaints following the storm.

Council also agreed to send a letter of thanks Lehigh Anthracite for providing the borough with a large loader to move snow at no cost to the borough, as well as thanking resident Lenny Kovatch for volunteering to operate the machine.