Reynoldsville Borough Council holds April work session

The Reynoldsville Borough Council met on April 4 and awarded the Reynoldsville Citizen of the Month certificate to Dr. Randy McCall of the Reynoldsville Chiropractic Life Center (see the related story here.)

During the public comments portion of the meeting, borough resident Barb Bell asked council when the garbage disposal contract with Waste Management was to expire and if it was possible to allow residents to “pick their own garbage company.”

She said she had contacted other companies in the area and was told they were interested in picking up in town.

In response, Borough Council President William Cebulskie said the contract with Waste Management expires at the end of the year. He said a council task force should be formed to talk to the other companies to find out what they have to offer.

Cebulskie asked Bell to provide the names and numbers of the companies she had contacted so the process could begin by July of this year. He then appointed Council Members Ralph “Tucker” August and Nichole Walk (the borough code enforcement officer) to the task force to investigate what can be done and report back to council.

Tax exoneration requests

As borough council prepared to approve the tax exoneration requests, former Reynoldsville Borough Tax Collector Christy McGranor said that past practice was to delay the requests from those who were unemployed to October in case they were able to obtain employment.

After some discussion, the council accepted the suggestion and approved all other exoneration requests, but delayed action on the unemployment requests until October.

Sale of properties

Two vacant properties owned by the borough on West Main Street were sold for $2,000 each. Council member Mike Popson said it was a good idea.

“You make a little bit of money plus what you get them back on the tax rolls,” he said.

Mobile home ordinance

Council Member Nichole Walk suggested the borough adopt an ordinance covering mobile homes. She that as code enforcement officer, she’s had six such buildings removed or taken down in March.

It’s not easy,” she said. “Mobile homes are very hard to get rid of once they’re in there.”

Walk said the current ordinance is too generic, and she would like to see one that has more involvement with the installation and the removal of a mobile home.

After some discussion, the matter was referred to the ordinance committee for further action in cooperation with Borough Solicitor Joe Ryan.

Other actions

*Discussions on a camera system policy continue, according to Council President Cebulskie.

*Borough Secretary Jacqueline Dixon said she has received a bill from PALO, Inc., for work that has been progressing at the borough pool. The matter was referred to the pool committee.

*Street Committee Chairman Ralph August asked council to approach Winslow Township to rent a grader and an operator to help with alley work this summer. He said doing it this way would be a lot less expensive than the current rental which comes from Pittsburgh.

August said the township supervisors will discuss the proposal at their meeting and get back to him on costs.

August also said he’s been approached by residents on Burton Alley about a problem with pot holes in the area. He said the borough crew will take care of it.

*Mayor Mark August informed council the newly reformed Homecoming Committee planned to hold a car show during the Red, White, and Blueberry Festival on July 16 in the borough park.