MAHANOY PLANE - Code enforcement was on the agenda at Thursday's Gilberton council meeting, especially now that the borough has a new code enforcement officer.
The borough council discussed complaints about code violations and enforcement, especially with the recent hiring of Code Enforcement Officer Cindi Shpakovsky, who shortly thereafter became the borough's new part-time police officer.
The borough has been receiving complaints from people about neighbors whose property is in violation of borough codes.
Councilman Robert Wagner was contacted by a resident about a neighbor. Wagner did not identify either party, but had the letter and photos passed around the meeting table. Shpakovsky, who was in attendance, said the person accused of the violations has been correcting the problems as quickly as he can.
Mayor Mary Lou Hannon said that it is the lack of pride that people allow their properties to become eyesores, which gives visitors and those who drive through a poor opinion of the community.
"There is nothing worse than going through the borough and finding garbage on someone's porch, or a sofa or loveseat, and other things that shows such a bad image for the borough," Hannon said. "We decided that this is it. We have a code enforcement officer and she has sent letters out. We're tired of the borough looking like this. We want to spruce up our image."
Hannon said that Shpakovsky sent 60 letters by certified mail July 16 to residents about code violations dealing with tall weeds, sanitation, public nuisances, abandoned motor vehicles and dilapidated buildings.
"Cindi is going to each property and there is a lot more that has to be done, but you don't get it done overnight," Hannon said. "We have gone out and looked at things. They have so many days to respond and if they don't, she will be citing them."
Shpakovsky said she is willing to work with people in getting violations addressed as long as she sees progress being made.
"We're not going to hound anyone but I just wish everyone would like to have the town looking nice," Hannon said. "I want people to be proud they're Gilberton residents."