Borough council notebook

Zoning change delayed

The council will hold a special meeting on March 23 at 6 p.m. to discuss a change to its zoning ordinances concerning highway and commercial issues.
The change was to be voted on at Monday’s meeting because of some late changes made to the ordinance.
A number of people had packed the meeting to discuss the changes, but left when Council President Mary Wickenheiser said the vote would be delayed.
One person who did stay and address the council was Eric White, who owns a property at 14 Lancaster Avenue. He said he spoke to a number of people who had attended previous meetings who were not in favor of the proposed changes.

Council invited to Relay for Life
Borough Council was invited to attend and participate in a Relay for Life event at Elizabethtown High School, June 25-26.

River Park project is questioned
Resident Tony Mosteller questioned the council on the River Park project, which hasn’t been worked on because of the weather.
“We are going to have to spend more money on this park to make it right,” Mosteller said.
He was told that construction would resume this week.

Questions about festival
Frank Little Bear, representing a Native American Pow-Wow, held in June and October at the Columbia Consolidated Fire Department, 10th and Mifflin streets, spoke about the two upcoming events and who he would speak with about getting concerns addressed.
He was told to meet with Jeff Helm, the borough’s code enforcement officer.

Engineer change is questioned
Former Councilmen Vern Detz questioned why the borough changed engineers last month at its previous firm, Arro Consulting to C.S. Davidson.
“I have a problem with that,” Detz said.
The former councilmen said Arro had representatives at three meetings in January and appeared to have no idea that they were going to be replaced.
“We had some issues with Arro and they were aware of it,” said Mary Wickenheiser, council president.
“C.S. Davidson offered us better services,” Norm Meiskey, borough manager said.
Detz also asked if the proper documents were sent to Lancaster County for the borough to get some money back for its recent snow removal efforts and if borough employees were getting both overtime and comp time as the result of the recent snow.
Meiskey said the proper documents were submitted for the snow removal reimbursement and employees could either take the overtime or comp time, but not both.

Route 441 paving is upcoming
Resident Heather McDonald questioned why various areas of Locust Street were marked with paint.
She was told its part of PennDOT’s plan to resurface Route 441 through Columbia down to Route 999 in Manor Township.

New way to communicate
Mayor Leo Lutz asked residents to check out the borough’s new communication tool at nixel.com. He said the tool will allow the borough to post messages on the site and communicate with residents via a text message on their cell phone or via email on their computer.
“Without a newspaper anymore, it puts us in an awkward position in being able to communicate with residents,” Lutz said.
The system started working this past week when the borough was able to post for residents it was time to remove their parking aides used during the snow storms to save parking places.
Lutz also reminded the council there is a workshop on March 26 for the 2010 Urban Enhancement Fund program.

In other business:
* The council awarded a contract for street materials to Highway Materials in the amount of $193,225.
* Approved a request from the Holy Trinity Parish to close the 400 block of Cherry Street, Junt 9-12 from 6-9 p.m. for its annual festival.
* Appointed Jamie Hess to the Zoning Hearing Board.
* Announced that the annual Columbia Spring Clean-up will be held Friday, April 16 from 7 a.m. to noon. Information on the event can be obtained at the borough office.
* Announced Sahd’s Salvage will hold its annual Earth Day celebration on Saturday, April 24.
* Issued a letter of support for the Rivertownes USA plans to light the Veteran’s Memorial Bridge.