Masontown councilwoman suggests Main Street manager hiring, LERTA, recycling reminder
MASONTOWN — Councilwoman Kay Rendina asked borough council members Tuesday to consider hiring a Main Street manager, enacting a LERTA ordinance and reminding residents about the mandatory recycling program.
Rendina asked council to consider adding a Main Street manager to next year’s budget and creating a Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance ordinance to help revitalize the borough economy.
The manager could help entice businesses to move to the borough, apply for grants and spur economic development, she said.
LERTA, which provides tax relief for business property owners who construct a building or improve existing buildings, could help attract people to vacant buildings.
“That’s an incentive for people to buy an old building and fix it up,” Rendina said.
In addition, she cited a recent report about the Goodwill Recycling Center’s future being in jeopardy due to a sharp decline in the tonnage of recyclable materials it receives from municipalities as a reason to remind residents that recycling is mandatory.
If the recycling center closes, the amount of garbage taken to the landfill will increase and that could result in an increase in garbage collection bills, Rendina said.
She suggested sending residents letters explaining that recycling in mandatory and the borough can fine residents for not recycling.
“I think we should send a letter spelling this all out,” Rendina said.
Councilman John Stoffa said he doesn’t know how the borough can enforce the recycling ordinance.
“We can’t get people to cut their grass,” Stoffa said.
Council President Frank McLaughlin said postage for the letters would be expensive.
A resident suggested posting a reminder on the borough website.
Rendina said she would draft a letter and present it at the next council meeting on Oct. 11.
In other business, council:
n Temporarily lifted the ban on outdoor leaf burning for Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to dusk in October and November.
n Approved a mercantile license for Charmayne Lloyd to open Born Again Crafts at 216 Commercial Ave.
n Approved a mercantile license for Susan Worry to open Pic Poke’s Tattoos at 500 N. Water St.