MAHANOY PLANE - A proposed ordinance to require building and maintenance contractors working in Gilberton to obtain a permit for proof of liability insurance should be ready for advertisement by next month.
During Thursday's meeting of Gilberton Borough Council, solicitor Karen Domalakes explained drawing up the ordinance and considering input that she received after the May meeting when the topic was raised after a lengthy discussion among the council members.
"There were a number of concerns that I received from people who stopped me on the way out of last month's meeting that I worked into the ordinance," Domalakes said.
The permit discussion at last month's meeting raised many questions but the main idea is that private contractors doing work in Gilberton would need to supply the borough with the proof of insurance and being licensed in Pennsylvania. Council President Daniel Malloy said last month that it would be a way to keep track of who is working in the borough, and if there is damage caused by the contractor, there would be a record in borough hall.
However, there were questions about how an ordinance would apply to different people. Would it apply just to professional contractors, such as building and landscapers, or to a relative, friend or neighbor asked by the homeowner to mow a lawn, paint a fence or other tasks.
"One question I got was if someone you already had a permit to do buildings, then you would get this permit at no extra fee," Domalakes said. "You would just have to show proof of insurance. And if a contractor did one project, his permit would be good for a period of time depending on his certificate of insurance."
Councilman Robert Wagner said getting the insurance proof should not be a problem.
"I was here with Tina (Antalosky, borough secretary) one afternoon and a gentleman came in to get a permit to do some work and he had no problem showing his insurance certificate and his Pennsylvania license number," Wagner said.
The contractor, not the homeowner, would be required to get the proof of insurance permit.
Domalakes said she has a list of jobs and tasks that could be included, but there are also the possible exceptions, such as someone under 21 who mows lawns from time to time. She added the exception would not apply to an adult doing the same job and could need insurance proof.
"I wanted everyone to think about what kind of exceptions you might want for this ordinance," Domalakes said.
Review copies of the draft ordinance were not available for the meeting for council members but they will be forwarded to each for discussion at the July 25 meeting.