May 9, 2006 By Jackie Beranek 3 min read

DAWSON – Code enforcement officer Mike Garlowich reported that “substantial steps” have been taken by some residents to clean up their property. Garlowich, speaking at the regular monthly council meeting Monday, said he contacted five residents and told them to clean up their property. He said that all five responded in a positive way and have either cleaned up their property or made an effort to do so.

“I worked off the council list,” said Garlowich. “The residents were told to clean up their property and they did.”

A couple of months ago, council met on a Saturday to tour the town and compile a list of residents who had excessive trash on their porches and/or in their yards.

Councilman John Nudo asked Garlowich for a list of residents who are not in compliance with borough ordinances and was told by Garlowich that he would rather not discuss people’s names in public.

Nudo continued to press Garlowich and Garlowich said if council wasn’t happy with the job he was doing they are free to replace him.

Councilman Jay Nelson reminded members that they agreed last month to have Mayor Barbara Wilhelm present a written report to them at the monthly meetings. Wilhelm presented an oral report this month and councilwoman Phyllis Newell said, “If we are going to knit-pick, then I think that we should get a written maintenance report each month, so we know what the borough worker is doing.”

Nudo told Newell that everything the maintenance worker does is written down and said that information is available to anyone on council.

In other matters, council approved the installation of a light at the Veteran’s Memorial on Main Street. Nudo said council should decide if they want the light to highlight the American flag or the memorial itself.

Councilwoman Sandy Newell asked that John Pyda be reimbursed $100 for maintaining the memorial grounds and for planting flowers and council unanimously agreed. Council also named Newell to the Yough Sanitary Authority to replace Emerson Long, who resigned from the board last month.

Newell asked that burning days be extended for spring cleanup from May 22-27 from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. Council agreed and reminded residents that fires should not be left to smolder overnight.

Councilwoman Claudia Hiles told council that one of the town’s garbage collectors Onyx will pick up large household items if they are contacted prior to regular pickup. Hiles said there is a $10 charge for large items.

In other unrelated business, council:

– Agreed to take a look at the International Property Maintenance Code to see if the borough would be interested in adopting it.

– Accepted the resignation of Councilman Denis Carter for personal reasons. Council additionally agreed to accept letters of interest for Carter’s council seat.

– Listened to complaints about dirt bikes and suggested that residents having problems with riders call the state police.