MAHANOY CITY - Mahanoy City has filed civil complaints against nine properties with the largest garbage delinquent accounts, with this being just the beginning in getting other delinquents to get current.
Borough solicitor Michael A. O'Pake explained the complaints being filed during Tuesday's meeting of Mahanoy City Borough Council.
"Hearings have been scheduled at the magistrate for June, so we'll make sure we keep on top of those," O'Pake said during his Law and Ordinance report. "We'll keep on going down the list. I think the people who are delinquent is in excess of $15,000."
The public in attendance expressed surprise at the large amount, with someone remarking, "How did this go that long?"
Councilwoman Patti A. Schnitzius said, "It doesn't mean that they're garbage is being picked up. It just means they haven't paid."
"It's significant, but we're taking this step and then the next step," O'Pake said.
Borough Manager Daniel Lynch said the total delinquencies for the nine accounts is $31,588.60, but that also includes accumulated interest and penalties accrued over time. The delinquent total just from the garbage collection fees alone is about $15,000.
After the meeting, O'Pake said the borough is serious about collecting the money it is due.
"There are a significant amount of delinquencies in the borough, and right now we're going after the top delinquencies first," O'Pake said. "The money we collect from that will obviously go into the general fund, but also be used to pursue the other delinquencies, as well. It's just going to be a rolling stream of complaints filed, judgments obtained, liens filed and things of that nature."
O'Pake said the borough has other options.
"Borough council has made the decision that they're going to conduct sheriff's sales, constable sales, whatever needs to be done to collect this money," he said. "It's not fair to the rest of the citizens who are paying and carrying the burden. If we don't get enough money because of the delinquencies, we would have to raise what we're charging, and by doing that, the people who are paying are paying more and those who aren't paying aren't paying anything."
O'Pake said the civil complaints for the first nine are filed with Magisterial District Judge Anthony Kilker of Shenandoah, who will set up hearings and complainants can present defense.
When the current group of delinquents go through the complaint process, O'Pake said "the next batch will be targeted."