CURWENSVILLE – Joe Wills submitted a letter of resignation to the Curwensville Borough Council Monday, which was accepted “with regrets.”
The letter did not state the reason for resigning from council and the planning commission. However, council President Sara Curulla said “he decided to move on.”
Bids for summer paving were opened and the low bid was from New Enterprise Stone and Lime Co. Inc. at $68,433.50.
Street crew lead man Dennis Curry talked with council about an issue with Meadow and Kent streets and the old Tanners Run. He said when the new Tanners Run was constructed, the old one was abandoned, and now there are areas collapsing.
He had pictures of holes opening near the streets and also an area on Rails to Trails. Council does not know who is responsible for the old run now and agreed to contact the state Department of Environmental Protection for guidance.
Council approved helping with a 5K planned for May 5 beginning at 9 a.m. Traffic control is needed for the intersection by the Central Hotel, near Lezzer Lumber and at the top of Susquehanna Avenue. When asked later, council said they think the 5K is being held by St. Timothy’s Relay for Life team.
Code Enforcement Officer Tom Carfley raised an issue he has come across repeatedly regarding abandoned houses. He said when someone purchases one of these houses, they are surprised to find a sewer lien because while the house might have been empty for several years, a sewer bill is still being charged, even if there is no water to the house.
He asked council if they could approach the municipal authority and see if there is a solution to the matter.
He also reported on researching an ordinance where landlords would notify council when someone rents from them and when a renter leaves.
This is a practice other boroughs have adopted and he is looking at ordinances used by other communities.
After an executive session, council voted to move part-time police officer Joe Witherite to a full-time position at 90 percent pay, beginning April 16. He will begin receiving full pay in a year’s time.
Animal Enforcement Officer Tom Shaffer reported he responded to 24 calls in March with two verbal and two written warnings. He also confirmed he has been trapping stray cats and noted that the cats are feral and have been very destructive.
It was confirmed that council has a policy that if there is a fire call in the borough, borough employees who are volunteer firefighters are encouraged to respond to the calls.
Additionally, they should respond when there are bigger incidents outside of the borough, such as structure fires and major accidents.
Finally, council members took a few moments to go outside and look at the fire company’s new truck. The company was able to get a grant for about half of the cost and also use money from the sale of the old truck, with a balance of just over $111,000 owed.
The cost was split between Curwensville and Pike Township by population with the borough’s portion at $58,000.