Clearfield Borough Council confirmed last night that residents will not see a tax increase for 2019 when the budget was formally adopted. The tax millage remains at 27 mills. Council will also continue to contribute to the police retirement plant at a rate of 5 percent.
Council also voted to extend a 120 day extension to Clair Wriglesworth to clean up his business property on West Second Avenue. The property has been the topic of discussion at council meetings for months now due to regular remarks made by resident Rodney Bowers.
Bowers attended Thursday’s meeting and expressed concern that council has given deadlines for work to be done, but those deadlines came and went with no penalties, except for the one regarding grass and weeds. Bowers stated that it seems to him that action is only taken when there is a penalty involved.
Last week Wriglesworth attended the council committee meeting and acknowledged the problem and said he has been trying to get the property cleaned up, but he also has a business to run and it has been difficult to find the time to do both. He asked for the extension, stating that the beginning of the year is always a slow time and he and his employees can get the work done.
During discussion on the motion, council member Jim Kling added that in addition to extending the deadline, which will have a hard date of April 30, council also emphasizes that the daily penalties provided for in the ordinance will be enforced if the deadline isn’t met.
Code Enforcement Officer Larry Mack added that the extension does not include the permit for demolition of a building on the property. A permit was issued and paid for to demolish the building and the deadline for that project is Jan. 31.
After the vote Bowers told members of the media that he was satisfied with the outcome.
In other matters, council reminds residents that there will be no Christmas tree pick up this year. After the holiday, trees can be taken to the compost site for disposal.
