News

After a distinguished 13-year career with the City of Pittston, City Administrator Joseph Moskovitz has announced his retirement, effective July 2023.

Moskovitz has 30-plus years of experience in the public service sector. He joined the City of Pittston in 2010. Before coming to Pittston, Moskovitz served as an assistant city planner for the City of Scranton, PA; as Borough Manager for the Borough of Dallas, PA and as a Borough Manager in New Jersey, in addition to holding a bachelor’s degree from Wilkes University and a Master of Public Administration degree from Marywood University. 

As the City Administrator, he was the chief administrative officer for the city and assisted the mayor and council with the city’s day-to-day management. Mr. Moskovitz provided leadership to all city departments, administrated the budget adopted by the mayor and council, kept the minutes and official records of the mayor and council, prepared monthly reports, made recommendations for new ordinances, policies, and regulations, and assisted the elected officials in daily administrative management.

Mr. Moskovitz helped bring the City’s first-ever “investment-grade” credit rating. He built strategic relationships with the city’s community partners and played a significant role in numerous large projects, including the revitalization of the City’s downtown.

“Moskovitz has helped guide our city through many complex issues while maintaining exceptional City services,” said Mayor Michael Lombardo. “He is a highly respected municipal leader and has built collaborative partnerships in our region that have greatly benefited our city. The council, myself, and all the previous elected officials would like to thank Joe and wish him the best in his well-earned retirement.”

The Pennsylvania Municipal League recently awarded the Career Recognition Governor’s Award for Local Government excellence to Pittston City Mayor Michael Lombardo in recognition for his many years of service. We congratulate Mayor Lombardo on receiving this distinguished award!

City Officials have conducted five Neighborhood Action Team (NAT) sweeps so far this year. The NAT has been to the following neighborhoods: Vine Street, Lagrange Street, Webster Street, Washington Terrace, Nafus Street, Winter Street, Curtis & Wilford Streets, Green and Thistle Streets and more.

The sweeps have identified 170 total property violations, for issues such as accumulation of garbage, high grass and weeds, stairs and porches, roofs, broken windows, damaged,missing or clogged gutters, junk vehicles, and exterior walls, among others.

The Police Department has tagged 21 abandoned vehicles.  An abandoned vehicle is one that does not have a current inspection. Vehicle owners are given 7 days to obtain an inspection before further enforcement action occurs. The PD has also issued 7 parking violations.

The Fire Bureau has inspected and repaired hydrants in the areas and the Facilities Management team addressed neighborhood issues.

The Redevelopment Authority has provided 18 applications to individual property owners for the City’s Home Rehabilitation program.

Property owners receiving notices are required to contact Code Enforcement within 1 business day of a notice to develop a plan of action. They are given up to 24 hours to correct violations such as high grass and up to 30 days (or more) to address more substantial issues. No actual fines or citations are issued during NAT sweeps. The purpose of the sweeps are to improve the neighborhoods and quality of life of our residents, and to remind homeowners of their obligation to maintain their properties in a safe and code compliant manner. The City utilizes the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) as published by the International Code Council for these standards. The International Code Council is dedicated to developing model codes and standards used in the design, build and compliance process to construct safe, sustainable, affordable and resilient structures. Most U.S. communities and many global markets choose the International Codes. More information about the IPMC may be found at https://codes.iccsafe.org/public/collections/I-Codes.

Homeowners that have code-deficient properties are encouraged to contact the Commission on Economic Opportunity at 570-826-0510 or the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Pittston at 570-654-4601. Income eligible residents may qualify for programs to help make required repairs to their home. Rules and regulations apply and funds are limited.

The NAT has several more sweeps scheduled. The City has been providing 24-72 hours notices of the neighborhoods to be visited this year. However, there may be additional unannounced sweeps, so the City reminds residents to upkeep their properties. Once again, if someone is having trouble maintaining their property, they should contact CEO, the Redevelopment Authority or another social service agency to inquire about assistance.

Today, City Officials conducted a Neighborhood Action Team (NAT) sweep on Cliff, Chapel, Union, Thistle and Dewitt Streets. The sweep resulted in 31 properties receiving Notices of Violation, for issues such as high grass and weeds, stair and porches, roofs, broken windows, damaged-missing or clogged gutters, and exterior walls. The Police Department tagged 4 abandoned vehicles and issued 7 parking violations. The Fire Bureau checked hydrants in the area and the Facilities Management addressed neighborhood issues.

Property owners receiving notices are required to contact Code Enforcement within 24 hours of a notice to develop a plan of action. They are given up to 24 hours to correct violations such as high grass and up to 30 days (or more) to address more substantial issues. No actual fines or citations are issued during NAT sweeps. The purpose of the sweeps are to improve the neighborhoods and quality of life of our residents, and to remind homeowners of their obligation to maintain their properties in a safe and code compliant manner. The City utilizes the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) as published by the International Code Council for these standards. The International Code Council is dedicated to developing model codes and standards used in the design, build and compliance process to construct safe, sustainable, affordable and resilient structures. Most U.S. communities and many global markets choose the International Codes. More information about the IPMC may be found at https://codes.iccsafe.org/public/collections/I-Codes.

Homeowners that have code-deficient properties are encouraged to contact the Commission on Economic Opportunity at 570-826-0510 or the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Pittston at 570-654-4601. Income eligible residents may qualify for programs to help make required repairs to their home. Rules and regulations apply and funds are limited.

An abandoned vehicle is one that does not have a current inspection. Vehicle owners are given 7 days to obtain an inspection before further enforcement action occurs.

The NAT will be active throughout the summer and fall and will be conducting more unannounced sweeps.

Today, City Officials conducted a Neighborhood Action Team (NAT) sweep on Broad, Front, Fulton and Fear Streets. The sweep resulted in 28 properties receiving Notices of Violation, for issues such as  sidewalks, roofs, weeds and grass, damaged stairs, exterior walls, junk vehicles, accumulation of debris and garbage, and broken windows. The Police Department tagged 8 abandoned vehicles and issued 6 parking violations. One vehicle was towed due to no insurance. The Fire Bureau checked hydrants in the area and the Facilities Management addressed neighborhood issues.

Today, City Officials conducted a Neighborhood Action Team (NAT) sweep on William Street. The sweep resulted in 24 properties receiving Notices of Violation, 4 verbal warnings and two citations for issues including high grass, sidewalks, roofs and gutters, interior furniture on porches, accumulation of garbage and debris, broken windows, junk vehicles. The Police Department tagged 2 abandoned vehicles and issued 6 parking violations. The Fire Bureau checked 12 hydrants in the area, 2 stories connections were replaced and 1 was inoperable and reported to the water company. The Facilities Management team weed whacked unmaintained tree lawns.

Today, City Officials conducted a Neighborhood Action Team (NAT) sweep on Butler, Sand, Radcliffe, Defoe Streets and Prospect Place. The NAT was formed last year as a way to further the Neighborhood Housing Initiative. The mission statement of the Initiative is: “Develop a plan and implementation strategy designed to reduce the number of code deficient, vacant and abandoned houses in the City of Pittston’s neighborhoods. Create a complimentary regulatory environment that allows the leveraging of resources. To improve the overall appearance of the neighborhoods creating attractive, livable, safe and desired housing.”

This sweep resulted in 25 properties receiving Notices of Violation and three verbal warnings for issues ranging from high grass to collapsing structures. The Police Department tagged 5 abandoned vehicles and issued 11 parking violations. The Fire Bureau checked hydrants in the area. The Facilities Management team performed maintenance work such as trimming weeds and brush.

Property owners receiving notices are required to contact Code Enforcement within 24 hours of a notice to develop a plan of action. They are given up to 24 hours to correct violations such as high grass and up to 30 days (or more) to address more substantial issues. No actual fines or citations are issued during NAT sweeps. The purpose of the sweeps are to improve the neighborhoods and quality of life of our residents, and to remind homeowners of their obligation to maintain their properties in a safe and code compliant manner. The City utilizes the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) as published by the International Code Council for these standards. The International Code Council is dedicated to developing model codes and standards used in the design, build and compliance process to construct safe, sustainable, affordable and resilient structures. Most U.S. communities and many global markets choose the International Codes. More information about the IPMC may be found at https://codes.iccsafe.org/public/collections/I-Codes.

An abandoned vehicle is one that does not have a current inspection. Vehicle owners are given 7 days to obtain an inspection before further enforcement action occurs.