Tonight’s meeting started as usual, and then it came to the exciting part. Citizen Comments is always, uh, interesting at least. The meeting itself was packed, only a few seats lay empty, and there was quite a bit of chair rearranging. Mr. Frank Doutrich was the first speaker, and started the meeting with a thanks/reprimand about the trees being trimmed down at the recently remodeled River Park. He was glad that they had been trimmed, but complained that we as a borough has the equipment and could have had it done much earlier. He quickly moved on to a query about the half-day closing of the borough offices on June 30th, and said that he had heard rumors on the street that it was for a party for the borough workers. Council President Mary Wickenheiser later confirmed that it was so, and it was later asked by Mr. Tony Mosteller if the party itself was paid for by the taxpayers. Borough Manager Norman Meiskey confirmed that the funds for the party were taken from the ‘Miscellaneous’ portion of the borough budget.
He also asked about the closing of 9 th St. today, and complained that the same state inspector was there as was on many other projects around town that were badly handled. President Wickenheiser said that they were simply milling out loops for the new lights to be placed. Mayor Lutz added that the lights on that street had been malfunctioning for quite a long time, and that the state had had engineers recommend new lights that will reduce car speed when flashing by eighty percent, compared to the fifty percent before. On the fun topic of the 441 relocation project, Mayor Lutz said that it is a Penn Dot project, and we as a town has no say in who works there and what can be done.
Two new part-time code officers were added to the roster, to supplement our full-time code officer. In addition, it was cleared that most properties lines in the borough go to the center of the street, with some exceptions. I always assumed such, but I guess this validates it. The topic of the contract was an object of much contention for a space of ten minutes or so, when Mr. Mosteller brought it up during his part of Citizen Comments. This was violently attacked by President Wickenheiser, during which she said that if the borough workers would just have a sit down, the Council will and has always been open to a contract. She also said that the borough finances are in limbo because they cannot calculate the costs for healthcare and other related things without said contract. The town debt was asked about by Mr. Vernon Detz, who alleged that the figure of 3.4 million was inaccurate, and was actually 5 million. Borough Manager Meiskey said that the figure is correct, and that the other debt is self-liquidating.
After the speakers were done, a representative of the Columbia Heritage River Cottage Association read a statement and asked that the parcel being gifted to the borough by Safe Harbor not be accepted, simply because the cottage owners did not believe that Columbia Borough had their best interests at heart. The lady who spoke lives in Lancaster, and admitted that she had never been to a meeting before. So we only care about Columbia when they can affect us in some way? Not on my watch. The only other thing of note was the approval to borrow $125,000 for repairs and upgrades in the Markethouse and borough, along with the purchase of two new police vehicles.
13 comments:
that lady who read a statement, who lives in lancaster, pays TAXES in this BORO, and has (HERSELF AND HER FAMILY BEFORE HER) for 60 YEARS !!!!!! NEED I SAY MORE. she has been to other boro council meetings but arrived a few minutes after the meeting started, (due to work hours) so the sign up sheet was already gone. there is NOTHING SIMPLE ABOUT THIS. YOU BETTER DO your HOMEWORK HON. THANKS
It was nice to see SO many faces at the mtg. As usual, never a straight answer-last mt's mtg, boro debt was $ 4.8 MILLION dollars-how can it change that much from last month???? It's a sad sight-look at ALL council members (except Mary Wickenheiser) during the meeting, they all look like they'd rather be elsewhere, or ready for a nap. why Norm ANSWERS most questions is beyond me and everybody else--he goes on and on and says nothing-except talks in circles- NO ONE listens -my guess is, he's hoping to bore everyone to death so they never come back to another meeting-wrong-not on this watch! wake up ! Could you report with more detail on the statement read by the CHRCA Rep., (there's a whole lot more to this than reported) -there is nothing simple about it and ALL cottage owners pay taxes -most at 2 properties in the boro-for many, many years, did you know that? Did you hear Norm state that? Report that. They also take great care of their properties-nothing like the pigsty's all over this boro. Thanks for filling in for Barry-we all know he needs to get away, have fun and relax!
As I was not given a copy itself or offered one, I can't report in better detail. Notes only go so far. And as for the lady who read the statement, perhaps she would have garnered better attention if she'd mention the fact that she pays taxes to the Boro. Not everyone knows this, and maybe this should be taken in mind before you go off upon another. Where exactly would I get this research? No one seemed keen on offering to tell.
it was stated earlier in the meeting-i guess you didn't hear that. sorry-this is not as simple as you may think and the boro can NOT take care of what it already owns-look at the boro owned properties and all the weeds at the parks, the parking lots, the bus stop by the municipal office is ALWAYS filthy, full of trash, cigarette butts, etc. It's a sin.
and why do you think that is? maybe because the Boro officials have made it perfectly clear that they are not honest, they LIE RIGHT TO THE TAXPAYERS FACES, they couldn't give a shit about any of the taxpayers in this town, they do ONLY what THEY want, they have wasted so much time money and energy on 3rd and Linden St and the River Park that it's totally unaccepable at this point, are underhanded, & can NOT be trusted. They need to look around and take care of the streets and the filth and trash.
I have a novel idea! how about the 2 new code officers start out by walking the beat, (all around the downtown area and problem areas) introducing themselves, speaking with the people and getting to know what they're up against and informing people what's expected of them. these are the worst areas in terms of trash and rubbish and weeds on the sidewalk and junk vehicles and just plain old dirty. it'd be nice to see people sweep their sidewalks and bag their trash and take pride in their neighborhoods. maybe some new faces on the street is just what the doctor ordered! !!
So Mary is up to the same old tricks. Lie and blame someone else. Some things NEVER change
I believe Frank felt that the Boro could have done it themselves and saved some money (trimming the trees) and also that the trees were trimmed yes, but some of the trimmings ended up in the river.
The 9th St project-safe routes to school is a great project. I'm glad the children don't have to walk in the streets or on very bad sidewalks. Now start with Walnut St then Chestnut St-they're safe routes to school and the bus route
I personally remember how hard it was to cross 9th Street while leaving Taylor School. I went there from 1st grade up. I went to Park for Kindergarden, and the difference between traffic is incredible.
I understand and agree with the statement about the trees. We should have done it ourselves, and we should have the code officers, all of them, out around town doing their jobs.
thank you. i agree. i worry about the kids whose mom or other doesn't walk them to school- i see lots of young kids walk by themsleves-it breaks my heart!
let's not forget-on top of being $ 4.8 MILLION DOLLARS in DEBT - that this council saw fit to ok and approve another loan for $ 125,000 for market house work, 2 NEW police vehicles and a wall in the alley and new flooring....amazing-if i don't have any money and am in the hole- i sure ain't gonna take out another loan
since our property lines go to the middle of the street-i have another way for the boro to make some much needed money - sell permits for residents to park their vehicle in front of their property where THEY are responsible to repair their curb and sidewalk and to pay their taxes. then my neighbor-who has 4 cars and doesn't use their 2 car garage or their off street parking-could NOT park at my house every day and my neighbors. it's ridiculous. i would be more than ready willing and able to pay for a permit to park in front of my house!! this is something that needs to be done soon-it's not right and it's not fair. and did i mention that the boro would make money off it?!!!
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