Reynoldsville council names the Citizen of the Month, discusses code enforcement and other issues

The Reynoldsville Borough Council handled a routine agenda at its regular meeting on February 17 at the fire hall.

The first order of business was naming Sarah Caltagarone as the Citizen of the Month for February. Caltagarone owns and operates Sarah’s Soft Serve and the Bellamauro Social Hall. She is also the president of the Reynoldsville Community Association.

The council then moved to approve the sale of a vacant lot it owns along 224 West Main Street in the borough. The lot is one of two properties that were purchased and cleaned up by the borough.

Code enforcement

Council approved a motion to advertise for a new code enforcement officer to replace Larry Kirkwood who submitted his resignation at the work session held on February 3. Council did not accept his resignation as of yet since Kirkwood plans to remain in office to attend upcoming hearings before the district magistrate.

Council member Nichole Walk expressed an interest in the position and said she would apply. She also said she had some information concerning code enforcement legalities she would like to discuss with council. Council later held an executive session to address those legalities.

Games of skill and zoning

Borough Solicitor Joe Ryan said he has been investigating an ordinance concerning games of skill. He said both DuBois and Sandy Township had language in their codes that allowed them to tax the machines without adopting an ordinance. DuBois charges $100 a machine year while Sandy Township charges $50 a machine a year.

Council decided to investigate the matter further for possible action at the next meeting.

Ryan also said he has set up a meeting with the engineering firm EADS Group of Clarion about a zoning ordinance. That meeting is slated for February 25 at noon at his office. He asked that council members and members of the Reynoldsville Community Association Blueprint Committee attend to provide information.

The Blueprint Committee has asked for zoning in the downtown section of the borough to make it eligible for additional grant monies.

Water

During the meeting Council President William Cebulskie, who also sits on the Water and Sewer Authority Board, stated that the authority is aware that the water has a bad smell and a different taste. He said the problem is a broken carbon feeder. A new one is being ordered, but it could take up to 30 days to come in.

“The water’s safe, there are no problems with it,” Cebulskie said.

The council’s next work session is March 3 at 6 at the borough building.