CLEARFIELD – Some summertime staples need to be reined in to keep a nuisance from becoming a major problem.
At Thursday’s Clearfield Borough Council work session, Code Enforcement Officer Larry Mack asked for permission to research new ordinances for yard sales and recreational campers. Mack said he is not looking to prohibit yard sales or campers, but some recent issues have shown that a few rules are needed.
Mack said there have been ordinances adopted in neighboring municipalities, which he would like to adapt to fit the needs of Clearfield. Mack said residents are welcome to conduct yard sales, but there needs to be a time limit on how long the sales can be held. Mack said he recently had to shut down a yard sale, which had been going on for more than a month.
“They had items out for sale the entire time,” Mack said. “The issue isn’t with someone selling items for a day or two. It’s with these continuous sales that go on for several days or even weeks.”
Mack said there have also been problems with individuals who hang signs advertising for their yard sales, but never remove the signs after the sale is over.
“Some of these signs have been up all summer,” Mack said.
For the campers, Mack said according to regulations from the Department of Conservation of Natural Resources, if a camper is occupied for more than 14 days, it is considered to be a dwelling.
Mack said he will look into both issues and bring more information back to council.
Also at the meeting, the council discussed Trick-or-Treating.
Borough Operations Manager Leslie Stott said she has been talking with Lawrence Township, and both municipalities have agreed to schedule Trick-or-Treat night on the same day.
Stott said both municipalities agreed that Friday wasn’t an option and suggested holding Trick-or-Treat night from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., Oct. 31. Residents who want visitors are asked to leave their porch lights on.
Stott also gave an update on the Riverwalk Project.
She said there have been several calls about the vegetation. She said the contractors are planting specific species of willow trees. These particular trees were selected due to their ability to thrive in a wet environment.
She said the trees must be planted while they are in a dormant phase. Stott said while in the dormant phase, the trees “look like sticks.” She said the trees will be able to develop their root system during the fall and winter and will grow leaves and branches in the spring.
