DUBOIS – Members of DuBois City Council took the next step Monday night towards implementing new house number requirements.
Further, council passed the first reading of Council Bill 1960 that outlines new house number display requirements.
It was noted that council is required to have a second reading of the Council Bill before its final approval.
The bill would require house numbers to be: six inches high in Arabian numerals that are enamel, metal or vinyl.
They would also have to be unobstructed by other signs/objects and viewable from across the street.
City officials hope to begin enforcement by April 30, according to council paperwork.
“This is nothing new,” said Solicitor Toni Cherry, adding requirements are already in place for DuBois City. “… This is just a change.”
Council said the change is necessary so that it’s easier for emergency services and first responders to find homes.
For example, calls for help may not be obvious from roadside, such as a reported domestic or cardiac arrest patient.
Under the bill, violators could be fined from $300 to $1,000, and failure to pay is tentatively punishable with up to 30 days in jail.
Council said each day of non-compliance would be liable to be treated as a separate offense.
Police Chief Blaine Clark said many homes have been converted into quadplexes and duplexes.
Clark asked about house number requirements for entrances that may not be at the front of the residence or building.
He suggested signage be placed at the main entrance and Cherry said “absolutely.”
“It does me no good to put that six inches above that door because you can’t see it from the roadway,” she said.
In other business, council awarded the Maple Avenue Waterline Project bid to Dave Roman Excavating Inc., totaling$1,688,502.
Council received a total of 12 project bids, with Dave Roman Excavating coming in the lowest.
City officials plan to have the waterline project completed before June with other projects slated to begin then along Maple Avenue.
City Manager John “Herm” Suplizio also reminded residents to clear their sidewalks of snow before it becomes harder to remove ice.