Dawson councilman presents proposed ordinance changes
DAWSON – The public got its first look at council’s proposed ordinance changes this week and for the most part they seemed to like what they saw. Councilman Jay Nelson presented the proposed changes to about 25 residents at the Dawson Volunteer Fire Company fire hall. In his opening remarks Nelson said, “These changes are for the betterment of our community. The safety of our citizens is our primary concern.”
Council President Patty Lint said council and residents have been talking about cleaning up the borough for years now, and instead of moving forward, it seems like the town is moving backwards. “I think we need to hear what you think,” Lint said to the crowd. “We know what isn’t working, so now we need to figure out what will work.”
Nelson explained that he has been working on the proposed ordinance changes for about eight months and said that ordinances provide for health, welfare and a safe living environment.
Nelson additionally explained that the borough follows two broad codes: local ordinances, created in 1980 by council, and the BOCA (Basic National Existing Structure Code) of 1984. He proposed a change in the outdoor burning code, saying that the ordinance falls under fire prevention and fire protection.
“I would like to see the outdoor burning ordinance changed from burning on Wednesdays and Saturdays from dawn to dusk to burning on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. That way all fires would be extinguished by 7 p.m.”
Nelson said he would also like to see the solid waste ordinance undergo a complete revision. “I think that garbage containers should be covered, kept clean and stored in a proper area away from public view,” said Nelson. “All garbage should be properly disposed of weekly and each resident should be encouraged to have a proper trash disposal agent (trash collector).”
Nelson said residents who don’t have a proper disposal agent will be required to ensure the borough that their trash is disposed of in a proper landfill area.
“Under the proposal it would be unlawful to dispose of trash improperly,” he continued. “Residents having a trash disposal agent can place the trash in the designated pickup area after 6 p.m. the night prior to scheduled pickup and should return any containers to the storage area by 6 a.m. the morning following the scheduled pickup time.”
Nelson said unused appliances, broken and unused toys, discarded vehicle tires and parts and discarded household furnishings should be disposed of in a timely manner and should not be left out on porches and open storage areas.
Nelson said he would also like to have borough secretary Mary Jane Winterhalter issue a permit to anyone working on a street in the borough and he would like to see residents take responsibility for their own sidewalks. Nelson would like to see no parking signs erected near sidewalks but did say that material for delivery could be placed on a sidewalk for a period not to exceed one hour.
Under the motor vehicles and traffic ordinance Nelson said that the speed limit in town is set at 25 miles per hour except on Main Street between Hass and the borough line and River Road between Strickler Street and the borough line.
He said that he would like to see the 25-mph speed limit established within the entire borough. He also said that he would like to see vehicle weight limits set at 24,000 pounds and limit travel on Laughlin, Railroad and Main streets. He said council might consider adding weight limits to River Road between Laughlin and the borough line if PennDOT has no objection.
Nelson is also proposing that the parking ordinance be amended to restrict parking of unlicensed and/or uninspected vehicle on any street. He also wants the ordinance to allow one unlicensed and/or uninspected vehicle on a resident’s property but the vehicle must be maintained in a condition that is secure and does not pose a hazard to the general public.
The last of the proposed changes deals with grass and weeds and clarifies BOCA Ordinance 105. Nelson said the ordinance states that lawn grass should not exceed 6 inches in height. He wants the ordinance to include proper maintenance of trees and shrubbery to prevent interference with pedestrians and traffic and not to present a visual blight on the community.
Nelson said the code enforcement officer would be responsible for making sure that the ordinances are being followed and said that council will more than likely hire a new code enforcement officer within the next couple of months.
Before any of the proposed ordinances can become effective council has to agree to pass them. Nelson said he hopes that will happen within the next couple of months also.