CLEARFIELD – Clearfield Borough Council heard from several residents regarding the issue of yard waste disposal at last night’s meeting.
Resident Vicky Ward had pictures of yard waste that has been dumped at Rebecca Park. She expressed concerns that some citizens had special privileges regarding borough ordinances.
Borough Solicitor F. Cortez “Chip” Bell III said the problem relates to the previous discussion at council’s committee meeting June 13, about yard waste. He said the borough would need proof as to who is doing the dumping in order to enforce the ordinances.
Councilman James Kling said until citizens come forward and can testify there is little the borough can do to cite anyone. However, he said he will discuss the problem of dumping of yard waste at Rebecca Park with Code Enforcement Officer Larry Mack, who was not in attendance, to resolve the issue.
Borough Operations Manager Leslie Stott reported she had several calls regarding the issue of yard waste pick-up. Council also received two letters on the subject. She said most of the calls and letters from residents said they had problems with disposing of their yard waste and depended on the pick-up provided by the borough.
Kling said he had previously counted 38 residents who had yard waste at their curb. Councilman David Gallagher agreed but said that amount was down since the articles in the media since the council’s committee meeting last week.
Stott said she had researched borough ordinances and noted that yard waste is included in the definition of refuse, and that citations for accumulation of refuse can include fines of $100 to $500 plus costs.
After some discussion, council agreed to conduct one summer pick-up to take care of any yard waste missed from the spring pick-up, and any place they do collect from will receive notices that the borough will not be conducting regular yard waste pick-ups. The one-time sweep will be conducted before July 19, at the convenience of the street commissioner. It was noted there will be no other scheduled pick-ups until fall, and any illegal dumping will be cited.
Bell asked the council for approval to proceed on paperwork for satisfaction of a mortgage still pending since the 1980’s. He explained that in the 1980’s, borough council had provided funding for home repairs to residents based upon income, with the funds provided via interest-free mortgage. He said this is the last such mortgage to be satisfied. Council approved the action.
Bell also requested action from council regarding the closure of an ally on Martin Street. He had advertised for a public hearing at this meeting, and asked for any comments. None were offered. Council passed ordinance #1331 to vacate the alley, which will be turned over to the adjoining property owner.
Bell spoke regarding an issue of parking on Southwest Third Street. Residents of that street also addressed the council. One resident wants street parking permitted because she needs the parking space. Others do not want parking permitted because it creates problems backing out of driveways. Council reminded residents there is an ordinance restricting parking within 15 feet of a driveway. Council agreed to table any action on the matter until next meeting, to allow committees to investigate the situation and review the ordinances.
In other business, council approved:
- providing traffic control for the YMCA Fair Fun 5K on Aug. 3 and for the Pumpkin Run 5K on Oct. 12.
- paying $72,000 to Keystone Fire Apparatus Inc for mid-production work on a fire engine
- closing roads downtown for the Fall Festival on Oct. 11-12, pending PennDOT approval.
- closing roads from Park Street to Paddock Drive on July 13 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the Clearfield County 4-H Horse and Pony Round-up.
- closing the Skate Park from 5 p.m. July 12 until 5 p.m. July 13 for the Horse and Pony Round-up. The Fair and Park Board will post signs.
- making the final payment of $19,000 to Greenland Construction for the balance of the water project, on completion of the punch list.
- the request of the Fair and Park Board to build a horse ring, contingent on all permits procured as needed.
- a motion to direct the County Planning Commission to review zoning on Spruce Street to modify from Industrial to Modified/Limited Industrial Zoning.
- the appointment of Nathan Curry and John Brown as full-time police officers.
After a brief executive session to discuss legal and property acquisition issues, the council re-convened and approved to file a motion with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for a relief of automatic stay for the property of Sid Mapes.