Everson looks to act on rundown properties
EVERSON – Members of borough council looked at ways Monday to expedite the clean up process for condemned and dilapidated properties that are continuing to attract rats, but took no action. George Sherbondy, councilman, brought the matter to council’s attention after receiving complaints on a property located at 305 Maple Street that is in deplorable condition.
“We have to act on this,” said Sherbondy.
Sherbondy said he drove past the residence after hearing that four dogs were being kept inside the house with another dog outside in a pen.
While the property owner allegedly has health problems, Joe Siwula, code enforcement officer, has issued citations concerning the outside of the home since 2000.
Under the borough’s ordinance, residents that are found to be in violation of maintaining their properties are first notified by letter and given 10 days to come into compliance.
According to Siwula, a property can’t be condemned if it is being inhabited.
Siwula said he has contacted the state Department of Health regarding such properties, but said they referred the matter back to the borough.
Mayor Tim Shoemaker noted the borough helped the Maple Street property owner clean up the property in previous years, but it returned to the same condition a year later.
“There’s 500 houses in the borough and it’s the same ones time after time,” said Shoemaker.
Council learned from Siwula that the occupant of another home destroyed the inside and outside of the property upon its foreclosure while ripping an oil tank out of the basement and leaving diesel fuel on the floor.
Council directed Siwula to contact the Department of Environmental Protection on the matter.
In an unrelated issue, council learned from President Mike Banaszak that five applicants applied for the part-time police officer position posted last month. The position is to be paid for with a 2-mill tax increase approved by the panel in December. Shoemaker said he is still waiting to hear from part-time officer Brian Harvey, who hasn’t worked for months or returned telephone calls, but is collecting workman’s compensation.
Shoemaker said he has yet to receive an official resignation from Harvey and would dismiss him from the position in June if he fails to do so.
Turning to other business, council discussed a water problem behind the tennis courts at Centennial Park where several natural springs are saturating parts of the ground.
Banaszak suggested council check a pipe in the area to make sure it isn’t crushed or clogged, which could be adding to the problem. Council also:
? Learned that Marty Adobato found a cell phone at the park that remains unclaimed.
? Heard from Randy Smith, councilman and chairman of sanitation and safety, that the borough would not be charged for a separate fax line if it were to switch its telephone service with Armstrong in order to have two separate phone lines for the police and administration departments.
? Received insight from auditor Jean Luczka about the borough code and auditor’s handbooks in regards to salaries that were discussed among council last month.
? Announced the summer lunch program at Centennial Park will be held from June 11 to Aug. 10 Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to noon. No lunches will be served July 2-6. The cost of a lunch is $2.50 for adults while ages 18 and under eat free.
? Learned from Shoemaker the borough will join other municipalities across the state Aug. 7 for National Neighborhood Night Out.