RINGTOWN — The repair of sidewalks by residents in Ringtown was made a little less expensive with the waiving of permit fees by the borough council.
The council approved the waiver for sidewalk repairs and replacements at its April 11 meeting.
The borough has received some complaints about sidewalks that are in need of repair mainly for safety concerns, as well as for aesthetic reasons. Last year, resident Dennis Bauer informed the borough council that his child was injured while riding his bike on the sidewalk on two separate occasions.
At this month’s meeting, Councilman David Seresky motioned to waive the permit fees, which was seconded by council Vice President Peg Forgotch and passed unanimously. Residents are still required to obtain a permit at borough hall, but no fee will be charged.
The streets will get spruced up in the future with a cleaning. Councilman James Compton Sr. motioned to have the street sweeper hired for the cleaning. The motion was seconded by Forgotch. The cost is not to exceed $1,000. Council President Julian Milewski said the borough will contact Arthur “Pat” Aungst Inc., Pine Grove, which has been cleaning the borough streets for years.
On a motion from Councilman Thomas Murray, seconded by Seresky, the borough council authorized Alfred Benesch & Co., the borough’s consulting engineer, to design the drainage project on East Main Street, which is estimated to cost $75,000.
“That’s up at the very east end of Main Street,” Milewski said. “There are a few storm drains that are collapsing. There is also inadequate drainage in the area. The existing drains will be brought up to standards and some additional drains will be put in to mitigate the problem.”
In his monthly report, Mayor Albert Breznik said both officers attended their mandatory update training.
Breznik said the recreation committee will hold its annual 5K run on June 18. There will be no parking from 7 to 11 a.m. on both sides of North Center Street and the south side of Main Street.
Borough solicitor S. John Price asked Breznik about the possibility of having a police officer at each council meeting. Breznik stated that at this time there is a schedule conflict with both officers.
In other business, the borough council approved a request from St. Mary Roman Catholic Church about using Hancock and Grant streets near the church and the school property for its annual block party on June 10 and 11. The field behind the school will be used for the car show.
The copier proposal was discussed. The monthly service fee will be $18.20 from Fraser Advanced Information Systems, West Reading. Milewski explained that this included all toner and all maintenance. He said if something goes wrong, Fraser replaces the copier. Compton made a motion to purchase the copier and include the monthly service contract. Murray seconded and the purchases was approved.
After an executive session, a motion passed to advertise a personnel committee meeting to do a paper screening for a full-time laborer and a part-time summer help employee.
During the citizens petitions portion, Compton said a tractor-trailer was backing down East Main Street again on the day of the meeting and asked when the lines will be painted. Milewski said the lines will be painted within the next few weeks. The street is a dead end and when large trucks fail to make the left turn onto Centre Street and enter East Main Street, they must back down since there is no place to turn around.
Compton received a complaint from a woman who continues to get delinquent notices from Berkheimer Tax Administrator Inc. Milewski said the borough council is not involved with tax collection, but he will contact Berkheimer to learn about situation.
David Narducci of the Misty Springs Horse Farm questioned the decision of the borough engineer regarding a driveway/road he wants to put in on his property. This area has had drainage issues in the past and he was informed that he has to apply for a permit and list exactly how he intends to put the road in while ensuring that the drainage will not be an issue.
Borough foreman Scott Schuetrum will meet with borough engineer Jacqueline Peleschak when the information is received from Narducci and a determination will be made at that time.
Breznik asked about old pipes near his residence on Oak Street. He said one end is blocked and the open side allows water to drain onto his property where it pools and creates erosion problems on his lawn. There is a storm drain on Apple Street, but it is higher than his property where the water pools. Schuetrum and Peleschak will investigate to see who the pipes belong to and if it is a borough issue.
The borough council’s next meeting is at 6:30 p.m. May 9.