Housing program pleases council
MASONTOWN – Masontown Borough Council members said Tuesday they are happy Threshold Housing Development Inc. has decided to build homes in Masontown. Council members agreed to accept ownership of sewer and water lines the nonprofit group is installing on DeBolt Avenue to service the homes that will be built.
Councilman Frank McLaughlin, who serves as vice president, said the sewer and water lines will need to be installed according to borough specifications, noting that the borough is willing to work with Threshold Housing.
McLaughlin said there are a few minor issues with plans for the infrastructure that need to be worked out, such as making sure a 6-inch waterline and a fire hydrant are installed.
McLaughlin and council President Harry Lee said it is good to see houses being built in the borough.
“It’s really good to see some development on that side of town. It’s an area that’s been dormant for too long, so it’s good to see some activity,” Lee said.
Threshold Housing is a self-help housing program that gives low-income families an opportunity to build their own homes.
To qualify for the program, a family of four must have an annual income of less that $50,000. Families who qualify for the program also may be eligible for a $95,000 loan through the U.S. Department of Agricultural Rural Development depending on the family’s income level.
Officials with Threshold Housing said six houses eventually will be built in the wooded area on DeBolt Avenue.
In other business, council voted 4-1 to adopt an ordinance that regulates how many dogs a person can have in their home and sets restrictions on other animals.
Lee and council members Edward Gulino, Kay Rendina and Joseph Stillwagon voted in favor of adopting the ordinance, while McLaughlin voted against it and Councilman Bob Brown was absent.
In other matters, borough Mayor Toni Petrus said she has been receiving complaints regarding uncut grass and garbage in areas, and she urged residents to clean their properties or warned that they would be cited.
Petrus also cautioned people traveling in the borough to drive safely, noting that more children will be outside during the summer. Borough police will be out monitoring the roads and watching for speeding, she said.
“Watch your speed,” Petrus said. “We have a lot of children out there.”