Some spirited discussion highlighted McAdoo Borough Council's first work session of the year on Tuesday.
The council intends to get tougher on delinquent garbage bills that are adding up to some serious money.
The total amount of overdue fees wasn't mentioned and the council doesn't take action during a work session, but there was plenty of talk about what can and should be done to collect the thousands of dollars worth of bills that are being ignored by some residents.
Borough resident Ron Simasek told the council it has the power to make sure other residents begin paying their long overdue bills by not collecting the garbage and then fining or issuing citations to residents with garbage in front of their homes.
"You have the power to do it; I don't understand why it isn't being done," Simasek said. "We're paying for the people who aren't paying their fees, so whatever it takes the borough has to do it."
Council members agreed and said that code enforcement also has the power to write citations for uncollected garbage in front of someone's home.
The council is going to address the problem of collecting delinquent and overdue garbage collection fees at next week's meeting on Tuesday.
"Maybe the answer is that we must start cutting service," council President Joe Madochick said, referring to stopping garbage collection for residents who are neglecting to pay their bills. "Some owe as much as $6,000 or $7,000 in garbage bills."
He suggested stopping the borough trash hauler from picking up garbage from certain homes and having the police follow up to make sure resident take their garbage off the sidewalk or pay a fine.
Quality of life
The council would like to revisit the "Quality of Life Ordinance" that was adopted last year but vetoed by then-mayor Dane Watro. The council is in a position now with newly elected Mayor Stephen Holly to get the ordinance on the books.
Holly and Councilman Robert Wills would like to review the ordinance in time for a vote at the council's March meeting.
Reverse snow ban
Another issue that brought some passionate discussion was the "Reverse Snow Parking Ban Ordinance." The reverse ban kicks in 24 hours after snow has stopped falling. Residents must move their vehicles to the other side of the street within that 24-hour period to allow the borough to plow the opposite side of the street.
The ordinance will be reviewed and addressed at Tuesday's meeting.
Other subjects
The council also may discuss landlord-owner registration forms that must be filled out to give the borough an idea of how many tenants are in an apartment or rental unit.
In addition, the borough will shop around for the best deal on an electricity provider and vote Tuesday on a new agreement. Direct Energy is the current provider.
Other items that will possibly be on the agenda for council to vote on include weight restrictions on borough roads and customer parking sign applications.
The council probably will vote to send borough secretary Diane Minneci or possibly an engineer to the MS4 General Permit Seminar. The seminar will cover what is required by municipalities for projects ordered by the state Department of Environmental Protection to separate the discharge of storm water from small municipal sewer systems.
The council also will review proposals from two companies to spray vegetation in relation to flood control and will vote on selecting the lowest bid.
Clara Preputnick, a former longtime member of council, found herself in the audience asking questions just as many asked her questions during her tenure on the council. She and Simasek urged the council to look into being placed on the list for gaming money from Schuylkill County.