Foster

Continued from page 1 a new dump truck. The supervisors voted to enter into a five-year lease with Municipal Capital Finance for a 2024 Mack dump truck which will cost $300,417. On the five-year lease, it will mean payments of approximately $63,000 a year, and at the end of the lease, can be purchased for the balance. The cost of the truck will be split between the equipment maintenance fund within the township’s general fund and state liquid fuels funds received to maintain roads.

“It comes with a 7-10 year warranty,” Malloy said. “Most trucks last 10-20 years, so that is half the truck’s life. It will replace a 2003 truck we have now that has seen better days.”

The supervisors also voted to accept the lone bid they received for crack sealer. Asphalt Maintenance Solutions bid 97¢ per pound delivered, with a minimum delivery of 4,500 pounds.

The supervisors approved a new permit fee schedule that features a first-time $150 penalty for working without a permit. Rental permits are now $250 for 2-3 bedroom units, $500 for 4-5 bedrooms, and $750 for six bedrooms or more.

Newly paved streets that are cut for utility work will cost $400 for the first 50

Council was unsure how to handle this issue, but the solicitor said she would check to see if this could be managed under the nuisance ordinance. Council member Dave Longmore asked her to look into the matter.

Another resident asked if lineal feet, and $200 for each additional 50 lineal feet.

Zoning appeals to the supervisors, zoning hearing board and Uniform Construction Code board will cost $400 each, and zoning variances and curative amendments will cost $1,000 each.

A few people at the meeting asked about the short-term rental policy of the township. Malloy explained that letters were sent out to landlords, and a second round is being sent, explaining that all rental properties have to be inspected by a certified third-party inspector of the property owner’s choice before a rental permit will be issued. The rental permit is an annual permit, and if the property owner does not comply, they are subject to the $150 non-compliance penalty now in the fee schedule.

Residents of Hickory Hills again complained about out-of-town people partying there, taking up parking, making noise and shooting off fireworks.

Malloy pointed out that as part of the Uniform Construction Code requirements, only so many people are allowed in a structure according to square footage. “We are not trying to make it difficult for anyone. We want to make it safe for everybody,” he added.

Penn Lake gets a monthly report from the State Police, as there have been several incidents of concern in the borough lately. This question was not answered.

Mayor Carter said Emergency Management Coordinator Chris Zweibel was staying on for now, and noted the borough needs an Emergency Operating Plan in order to receive certain FEMA funds. Zweibel had asked the mayor if Penn Lake would be interested in coordinating with Dennison Township and White Haven Borough in order to share the cost. Dennison Township is already on board.. The mayor will let Zweibel know the borough is interested, and the issue will be put on next month’s agenda.

Zweibel is working to coordinate emergency tabletop exercises with the Reading, Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad. Participaation would be available at no cost to the borough.

One resident, this writer, inquired during the final comment session when the issue of White Haven Police coverage would again be on the agenda. Council had stated they would discuss this again in 2023. Council president Paul Rogan said it would be on the agenda when the mayor deemed it necessary. To this the mayor stated that he did not talk to them (WHPD). There was some back and forth, with Longmore saying the WHPD did not give good reports, and that 9-1-1 has been responding. Rogan wondered if people have been calling the State Police because there was no police report. He also felt the police would not handle thefts incidents. Rogan reminded those at the meeting to call

9-1-1 (for emergencies).

Code enforcement was also discussed. Rogan said he had again talked to Zoning Officer Barry Jacobs, who may be willing to undertake the role if council figures out how they want to handle it. Secretary Burden reported she had spoken to her prospective candidate, but they were not interested, but also said that Penn Lake can appoint whomever they would like as code enforcement since no certification is required.

The secretary reported there was one Zoning and Building permit issued for 28 Darby Drive for an addition with garage and a front porch, and one Zoning Hearing scheduled for February 21 for a variance at 1109 Lakeview Drive for covered parking and an enclosed porch.

Longmore reported during his road report they will need to ask for bids to assess and remediate any traffic sign deficiencies.

Giarrantano-Jeckell reported during the work session that she has been working on ordinances and has found some that may need revision. Regarding the Detached Structures Ordinance, there is more than one version of this ordinance and confusion over which one is the most current. She suggested starting fresh instead of trying to revise the old one and repealing all older versions. This will take about 45 days to complete.

She also asked for a list of stop signs in the borough that need an ordinance on the books in order to be enforced. Longmore said he will get her this information and any other safety sign information.

Regarding the possible electronics recycling event, Longmore has contacted Luzerne County and is still waiting for a response. He also noted there has been no action on the pickle ball court and probably will not be until spring.

Rogan reported that the property owner at 54 Williams Drive has agreed to the ARPA-funded drainage project in front of the property. Rogan has an appointment with borough engineer Nick Argot to look at the site. They will also try to determine where speed humps may be placed.

Two bids were received for survey work for easements for the Dam Project. Council accepted the bid from Micheal Kopec, at $3,500. The borough is targeting the second quarter of 2023 for submission of a permit application for dam and spillway repairs. Rogan said it can take up to a year for DEP to complete their review. Possible construction bidding will begin in summer 2024, with construction in fall 2024.

One final comment from Kuter regarded current and ongoing disrepair of SR 2041, Bear Creek Road or Seven Mile Road. He asked residents to call state Senator David Argall, 570 773-0891 to register complaints and ask that the road be resurfaced. Kuter said the roadway is riddled with huge potholes and “patches upon patches,” making it very unfriendly to motorists and their vehicles. Longmore mentioned he thinks he may have received an email response from Senator Lisa Baker in the past where she indicated the road was scheduled to be tarred and chipped in 2023. He will try to locate that email.