TREMONT - The borough is looking forward to polishing its image.
A Quality of Life: Maintenance of Property ordinance is slated for final approval in May.
"(We're) trying to get the community looking decent. Keep your grass cut and weeds pulled. Take pride in your community," Mayor Roger Adams said at an April 9 council meeting.
At the meeting, the council voted to advertise the ordinance which it plans to adopt next month.
Under the proposed local law, owners and occupiers of properties violating the code can be cited immediately.
The ordinance covers the accumulation of rubbish and junk; the storage of hazardous materials and recyclables; types of storage containers; littering; storage, painting, and maintenance of motor vehicles; animal maintenance and clean-up; infestation by insects or vermin; high weeds and grass, standing water; removal of snow and ice from sidewalks; maintenance of swimming pools; outdoor burning; vending machine license violations; and youth curfews.
The ordinance allows any public officer of the borough, anyone appointed by the mayor, and the council members to enforce the ordinance by simply handing a ticket to the violator, an adult member of the household, a person in charge of the residence, affixing it to the property where the violation exists or to the violator's place of business, or by mailing it. Each day the violation continues may constitute a separate offense for which a separate violation ticket may be issued.
The ordinance also provides for a cleanup, either by the borough or a contractor, with the violator responsible for all costs.
A $25 fine is issued for a violation of the ordinance. If not paid, nor a hearing request made within 10 days, an additional penalty of $10 per day can be made for days 11 through 30. Following the issuance of the second ticket for the same violation, a citation may be issued for the third and subsequent offenses.
An appeals procedure is also outlined in the ordinance which allows the violator the opportunity to personally meet with the official issuing the ticket. The borough has 30 days from the appeal date to either uphold or deny the appeal, or modify the violation ticket and any associated costs, fines, or penalties.
Councilman Jerry Fasnacht provided an example of two violation notices issued last July. He said the hearings resulted in a $300 fine for one person, and $500 for the other.
"They both could have cleaned up their properties for $100," he said.
With the new ordinance, Fasnacht noted a ticket can be issued on the spot with the resident having 10 days to pay.
Residents are reminded that ash pickup in the borough will be reduced to one day per week. Streets supervisor, Bill Mindler, told the council Monday only pickups began April 15.
Meanwhile, solicitor Chris Hobbs reported he had talked with Schuylkill County Grant Administrator Gary Bender about the Lucas property, the former bar beside the old fire house on Main Street. To secure federal funds to demolish the building, which is in disrepair, the borough must first gain ownership or control of the building. Federal money would cover 75 percent of the demolition cost, with the borough responsible for the rest.
Hobbs laid out two courses of action. If the property could be listed on the next judicial sale, the borough could buy it free and clear. Otherwise, the property be taken by conservatorship which he said would take more time. Because of the unsafe condition of the property, Hobbs was authorized to take whatever appropriate action was available.
According to President Bob Donmoyer, the building's roof is collapsing, and the back wall is pulling away from the building. He noted also that the people who had been willed the property when the owner passed away, waived all interest in it.
It was noted that there is someone who claims to have a lien against the property. According to Hobbs, that person could bid on it and be successful. However, he would then be responsible to demolish the building.
In other business, the borough council hired more parttime police officers, bringing its force up to five members.
Douglas Litwhiler and Steven L. Yoder will begin work Wednesday and have agreed to work 20 hours or more a week.
With the two officers on board, the borough can fulfill a request from Frailey Township to double coverage there to 40 hours a month.