BY HELEN B. FOSTER

Correspondent

Realizing that code complaints would be an issue during public comment at the Susquehanna Borough council meeting on May 8, Council President Roberta Reddon set down guidelines at the beginning of the meeting.

She asked those wishing to address council to stand and give their names and the nature of their complaint.

The first complaint was perceived to be a sewer problem and after listening to a lengthy dissertation, Reddon said, “your sewer issues are another matter and another meeting, not this meeting.”

Several residents were there to discuss letters they had received from Codes Enforcement Officer Mary Weaver. These pertained to parking, debris scattered on property, the placement of the new 911 address numbers, a downed tree and other problems that fell under the codes department.
“As a council we have to work with both codes and public. We are looking for a common ground,” Reddon said.

There has been a lack of continuity over the years and now Mary is doing her job, Reddon added.

Weaver told council she is trying to get residents to take a look at their property and make improvements.

Reddon closed public comment by saying she appreciates the fact the residents came to the meeting to voice their concerns and noted that council is working to implement policy and enforce codes.

Vice president Roy Williams also thanked everyone for being at the meeting. It was suggested a meeting be held for just issues/problems residents are having with understanding the codes and enforcement measures necessary for Weaver to do her job.

Bids for a paving project on the Church Hill section of the borough, Broad Avenue, Oak Street were opened. These ran from a low of $48,484.50 to $72,143.63. Once the bids are reviewed by Street Commissioner Steve Glover and council to make sure all meet the specifications in the proposal, a decision will be made on awarding the contract.

The PennDOT Agility Program was discussed by Glover and council members.

According to PennDOT, the borough owes PennDOT $13,000

Williams explained what Penn DOT considers the debt.

According to Williams, this goes back to a West Main Street project used as a training project for a new employee. This work needed to be redone and that cost is what PennDOT considers money owed by the borough.

Reddon offered to schedule a meeting between PennDOT and council to review the pros and cons of the borough signing a new agreement for the Agility program.

In the past, sweeping  borough streets that are state highway and the Veterans Memorial Bridge has been part of the borough’s work that came under the program.

According to Williams, the street department will be doing that anyway.

In the absence of Secretary Dianne Robbins her report was part of the agenda. The secretary and treasurer’s office will be closed on May 16 and May 30 for training in Towanda. The office will also be closed on  May 28 for Memorial Day. She also reported a dug-out at the park is complete.