TREMONT - Blighted properties have been a problem in Tremont Borough for several years, and two recent properties at 58 and 60 E. Main St. are a constant reminder of the eyesore, and safety hazard, they can become. Such properties can also become an unexpected drain on the borough's budget.
A bid of $37,439 for the demolition of these two properties has recently been awarded to Madonna Enterprises, Port Carbon. Although the borough is only responsible for 25 percent of that cost, there are other places the borough could spend $9,359.75, plus the additional $2,000 already spent to purchase the buildings, engineer and attorney fees, and an asbestos study. Strict code enforcement, if it had begun many years ago, could have prevented these buildings from reaching this point.
Housing workshop
An important and informative two-hour workshop covering housing issues will be held in Courtroom No. 1 of the Schuylkill County Courthouse on May 8, beginning at 7 p.m.
Municipal officials have participated in several workshops recently covering code enforcement, conservatorship of abandoned properties, and other blight reduction methods made possible by the State's Act 90 law. These same officials, however, along with residents and owners of rental properties, will obtain information about code enforcement and how it differs from the Section 8 HQS inspection, as well as the importance of local codes and the simple things a community can do to educate residents about community standards that must be upheld to avoid enforcement actions. Landlords will also learn about screening and leasing ways to select tenants that are the least likely to cause problems and create public nuisances, and where to get help when all else fails. The code enforcement process that results in the demolition of a property will also be discussed.
Complaint
A resident attending the April 8 meeting complained about a problem he was experiencing because of an adjoining property which is in disrepair.
"There's no one living there but sometimes there lots of action," said the man, questioning what can be done to help him.
The council had appointed one of its members several years ago to enforce borough ordinances already in effect and had also adopted a quality of life ordinance, which enabled a speedier enforcement procedure. This past January, the council appointed a new person to that position, but to date, no report of his activities has been made.
Assistant
Noting that the code enforcement officer was not present, President Bob Donmoyer suggested the council may want to appoint an assistant to help the new code enforcement officer who works full-time.
"If the job's not being done, we can let it go back like it was, or we appoint someone to help him," Donmoyer said.
Councilwoman Paulette Yuschock disagreed. The new code enforcement officer, William "Jeff" Bruce, should be given the opportunity to appoint an assistant, she said, suggesting that the mayor contact Bruce, giving him seven days to respond, or the committee will meet.
Burn ban
Donmoyer reminded residents of the strict county-wide burn ban in effect from April 4 through May 4. Violators can face fines of $100 for the first offense, $200 for the second and $300 for each additional violation, plus the cost of extinguishing any wild land fire they cause.
It was noted that the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources personnel are constantly monitoring rainfall and forest and ground cover conditions and may recommend an extension of the ban.
Parking
Mayor Roger Adams gave a stern warning to residents parking the wrong way.
"I'm letting you know," Adams said, "it's gotta stop. It's the law."
Adams said during the winter, residents on Fightin' Hill were exempt and were allowed to park the wrong way. Police, he said, will now issue tickets.
The mayor also stated that he was unhappy with the way the town looked.
"So take heed and clean up your property," Adams said.
Car use
A brief discussion was held concerning the use of the police department's two vehicles. According to Donmoyer, the older car has not been used in the last three months and the battery had died. When police Chief Michael Conway was questioned why the vehicles were not being rotated as agreed upon, the chief's only explanation was that the new people didn't want to use the older one.
When questioned about Tremont police vehicles being seen at Hess's in Pine Grove, Conway admitted he had been told that and had spoken to the officers involved.
According to Donmoyer, the cars don't leave the borough, except to go to Frailey.
"We need some supervision," Donmoyer said. "They need to know there'll be consequences."
The mayor agreed and said the problems would be taken care of.
A 40-hour-per-month coverage of Frailey Township was only slightly over the 24 hours per month during February and March.
Police
The March police report shows two nontraffic citations were filed and three traffic warning were issued. The incidents include one assault, one civil complaint, two criminal mischief and one criminal trespass, three domestics, two missing juvenile, one theft, one welfare check, three vehicle stops, one juvenile locked out of residence, one assist to the nursing home staff for an unruly person and two assists to other police departments.
Clinic
The Health Immunization Clinic sponsored by the Interfaith Network will continue from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 7 and June 4 in the Clay Street Community Room.
Vaccinations for tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis, hepatitis and flu will be given by appointments only with a $5 co-pay charged to those with insurance.
Call the state Department of Health at 570-621-3112 to make an appointment.
Training
Remaining sessions for the Schuylkill County Emergency Management Agency's 2014 Municipal Emergency Training for Elected Officials are April 29 and May 27.
According to councilman James Scheibley, Emergency Management Coordinator Pryce Parker, the mayor and he have attended the previous classes and plan to attend the last two. He said also that former councilman George Stahl has agreed to assist during an emergency with hourly computer updates to the county.
Scheibley reported he has two courses to complete and he will be eligible to become a staff member of the Emergency Operation Center.
Pool
Scheibley reported he had received one application for life guard for the coming season. He also has two or three others who are considering applying for one of the four slots he would like to fill, as well as someone interested in running the concession stand. Anyone interested should call the borough office at 570-695-2199 or email tbsec@wtvaccess.com.
Donmoyer expressed his appreciation for the good job both Scheibley and Phil Kintzel had done last year and said how pleased he was that Kintzel would be involved again this year.
The council tabled action to hire Arthur "Pat" Aungst to do street sweeping until another quote could be obtained.
In other business
- The annual liquid fuels check in the amount of $36,456.82 was received.
- Donmoyer will attend the May 15 Tremont borough bicentennial events planning meeting at the Tremont Fire Company. In 2016, the fire company will also be hosting the 62nd Schuylkill County Firemen's Convention. Adams said the committee wants the council members to help with the planning, but is not looking for money from the borough.
- Fire police assisted with traffic control during Girardville's St. Patrick's Day parade on March 22 and Yuengling Light Lager Jogger 5K Race on April 12 in Pottsville. They also agreed to assist traffic control at the Schuylkill County Convention on Aug. 23 in Pottsville.
- A resident made a complaint about someone parking in front of her driveway, even after a note had been put on the car's windshield. According to Donmoyer, it's a police matter.