OCTOBER 9-15, 2014 Your Local News
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Turn Bath Pink Pages 9 & 16
The Home News
Bath Council tables Rental property Inspection discussion By BILL HALBFOERSTER The Home News
Bath Borough Council on Monday voted 6 to 1 to table further discussion of the controversial proposal for a rental property registration/ inspection program so that a committee of Council can study it more. The borough will, however, take residents’ input to the committee and, after coming to some conclusions, will have a public meeting that will be advertised. Property owner David Longenbach did open discussion on Monday asking why the action is being considered. Councilman Mark Saginario responded that it would benefit the citizens, and conceded that Council hasn’t gone into the specifics of it to make an educated decision.
----------------------“I try to remain neutral, but if there’s a violation, there’s a violation.” Dennis Huth, Zoning Officer -----------------------
Longenbach asked who would supervise the program and what about liability, remarking that the insurance company that he has an agreement with sends a representative every two years to inspect his property at no cost. Saginario said Council must do an analysis on what it will cost. Councilwoman Jennifer George showed photos of improper wiring and other safety issues, and noted that
the committee wants to examine the best position to take. Saginario said he hears a lot of questions, both from residents and other members of Council, and said it could be a factor in preparing the 2015 budget. Councilwoman Kathryn Roberts said landlords worry about how much it will cost them. Options are on the table, but figures such as $100 to $150 per unit were noted. Councilwoman Carol BearHeckman said she would like a minimum fee. Professional View After all other business was transacted on Monday, Mrs. George asked Zoning Officer Dennis Huth if he had anything to say. He told about the Property Maintenance Code and H.U.D. (federal Housing & Urban Development) inspections. “The important thing is to check for safety,” Huth said, like finding missing smoke detectors, exposed wiring, and other safety issues. In his experience, inspectors work off a check list and inspections usually take about 20 minutes for a property, but could take as much as an hour or an hour and a half. They inspect every year, sometimes three or five years. There are registration and application fees. Huth said he hasn’t seen much objection by landlords to the inspections in Bangor and Roseto, except those who have a lot of units. “Landlords should know any problems that may exist,” he said. Continued on page 3
Phantoms ready for season at PPL Center Page 10
PennDOT equipment used to remove old blacktop, put in a new layer, and roll it all down along S. Chestnut St. in Bath. –Home News photo
PennDOT resurfaces S. Chestnut Street in Bath By BILL HALBFOERSTER The Home News
After many years of deterioration since the laying of sewer lines, South Chestnut Street in Bath Borough was completely re-surfaced with a layer of blacktop on Thursday. It was not without its complications, for with all the heavy equipment brought to the scene by PennDOT and the blacktopping itself, all other roadways into and out of Bath were tied up in lines of traffic throughout the day. “Detour” and “Road Closed” signs were posted, and PennDOT employees kept traffic moving as best they could. No accidents were reported, as drivers patiently waited in line until either the traffic lights at three intersections turned green or flagmen held up red cloth- draped sticks and waved the vehicles
on, many of them tractortrailers. Four state highways go through Bath, Rts. 512, 987, 248 and 329. The old surface of blacktop, which covered the original concrete street, had to be torn up and removed by a big machine that conveyed it into huge dump trucks to be carried away. That in itself stopped vehicles in their tracks as the trucks came to the W. Main & S. Chestnut St. intersection. After the old blacktopping was removed, tar was applied to the concrete base, and then the new blacktop was laid and smoothed down with rollers. Residents along the street, who have endured the pounding noise of trucks hitting the pothole-ridden street continuously for years, were relieved that the sounds now will be only of passing traffic.
Nazareth designer wins prize in competition Page 12
Happy Tooth completes ALS challenge Page 15
73rd Year, Issue No. 41 www.homenewspa.com
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