RINGTOWN — In about two months, the new energy-efficient street lighting in Ringtown will be installed and cost the borough only $172.
Borough council President Julian Milewski updated the borough council at Monday’s meeting about the project to have PPL Electric Utilities Inc. remove the current incandescent bulbs and replace them with LED lights. The borough submitted an application to PPL to become part of the program and was approved in February.
“It’s only costing us $172 to get all the street lights upgraded,” Milewski, a Republican-Herald employee, said. “Renee from PPL called me on Friday afternoon and said they had received the check, it was deposited and cleared, and she signed off on the contract and sent it off to the contractor. They have 70 days to begin installing the lights.”
Milewski said the borough is the third on PPL’s list to have the LED lights installed, so he believes the work should begin in the near future.
The borough has 97 streets lights. The savings will be $36.59 per month in total. The total installation cost to the borough is $172, which is the cost of replacing one bulb that is less than 10 years old. The other 96 bulbs will be replaced at no cost.
According to PPL billing rates, the borough would save $440 annually in electric costs. However, since the borough receives its electricity from another generation company, the savings are expected to be higher.
During the public portion, resident Daniel Grow spoke to the council about participating in meetings sponsored by county District Attorney Christine Holman discussing ways to more strongly deal with blighted properties. Grow presented the borough with an information file explaining ways to get municipalities up to code, explaining what codes are, how they should be enforced and related items.
“I strongly encourage a representative from council and/or (borough foreman) Scott (Schuetrum) to attend the next meeting (March 16) because the information presented is invaluable,” Grow said.
Grow also spoke about the Schuylkill County Land Bank and encouraged the borough council to become part of it.
“This association is being formed to promote abatement of nuisance properties, and they’re trying to give municipalities the leverage that they need to move forward on these properties,” Grow said. “There is a $1,000 entry fee on that, but I think it’s the best $1,000 the borough can spend.”
Mayor Albert Breznik Jr. also spoke during the public portion, explaining that the area around the county drop-off recycling bins has garage and trash illegally placed there, with the loose materials being carried by winds onto neighboring properties, including his own. He said a metal sign that marks the recycling center fell over and was then carried by the winds and hit his brother’s pickup truck, causing about $1,000 in damage.
“There is an issue with the liability on that piece of property,” Breznik said. “The borough’s insurance doesn’t cover the damage, the county doesn’t want to cover the damage, and the landowner, Jeld-Wen, doesn’t want to cover the damage.”
Milewski pointed out that the county leases the property from the landowner. The borough is not involved with any lease agreement with either the county or Jeld-Wen.
“There is no liability to the borough if we don’t own the site and we don’t lease it,” borough solicitor S. John Price said.
Borough Fire Chief Ray Dunsavage read the annual activity report for 2015 for the Ringtown Valley Fire and Rescue Company and presented a copy to the borough secretary to be filed.
In other business, Milewski announced that the borough will receive $29,423.60 of liquid fuels funds, and will receive a fuel road turnback of $440 under the maintenance payment agreement with the state Department of Transportation.
Milewski said the two front springs on the small dump truck were replaced at a cost of $1,322. One spring broke, which required that both springs be replaced. Schuetrum added that a windshield wiper motor was replaced on the large dump truck, and he said a tire blew out on the small dump truck and had to be replaced for $350.
“I’m just going to say that none of these trucks are brand new,” Milewski said. Schuetrum said the large truck is a 1998 model, and the small truck is from 2001.
Milewski said the Ringtown Recreation Board is short one member, and Breznik suggested Matthew Swartz be appointed to the vacancy. The council unanimously approved the appointment.
An advertisement will be published looking for summer help.
Noting the spring-type weather, Milewski said, “With the warm weather, I’ve seen a lot of people outside walking and the kids are out running around. Please watch when you’re driving in town.”