NEW BETHLEHEM, Pa. (EYT) – Despite significant expressions of outrage on social media, critics of New Bethlehem’s new animal control ordinance were conspicuous by their absence at Tuesday night’s Borough Council meeting. There was not a single resident in opposition to the new ordinance in attendance.
(Photo courtesy New Bethlehem Borough/Tech Ready)
New Bethlehem Borough Council presented their amended animal control ordinance which was approved with only a single dissenting vote. Although similar to most animal control ordinances, the updated New Bethlehem statute calls for the licensing of “outdoor” cats. The new rule states that “Regularly harboring or feeding of feral cats shall create a presumption of ownership.” (We wonder if anyone has told the cats?) The new ordinance will be published soon, complete with protocols and operating procedures.
The council has been faced with developing a “debris management plan.” Required by state and federal laws, these plans lay out how the municipality will deal with debris resulting from natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes, or tornadoes. Municipalities without a “debris management plan” are not eligible for Federal Emergency Management Agency or Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency funding. New Bethlehem is able to adopt Clarion County’s Debris Management Plan, thereby maintaining eligibility for FEMA and PEMA funding without the expense of drawing up their own “debris management plan.” The council approved adopting the county’s plan by acclamation.
The Street, Building and Equipment Committee members reported that they have been able to negotiate agreements with two landowners along the Jockey Street drain project planned route. As presented, the agreement with the landowners will save the borough significant expense by shortening the drain route and eliminating the need to rip up a large section of the street. Council unanimously approved the Jockey Street project as described.
A major portion of the meeting was devoted to a discussion concerning the damage that is being done to the utility poles on the north and south sides of the Broad Street and Wood Street intersection. These poles are in positions to be damaged by long tractor trailers making the turns onto Broad Street from both directions Wood Street and from Wood Street onto Broad Street in both directions. The poles are extremely expensive to repair and replace and the council is considering many options for changing the placement of the poles and improved signage to warn truckers of the narrow intersection. After discussing several ideas, the council tabled the discussion until the April meeting, so that they can develop more options and costs.
The borough is still studying options for purchasing a new garbage truck. The council approved a motion to replace the lawn mower tractor and offer the current one for public sale.
Councilman Gordon Barrows of the Police and Safety Committee relayed a social media message to Police Chief Scot Ryan that he had received. Mr. Barrows said that the resident had commended Chief Ryan for his help with a drug problem in the community. Mr. Barrows also talked about helping the community to understand what the borough council does by publicizing actual things that the council accomplishes each year. His thinking is that relationships between the community and the council can be improved by improving communication.
Looking ahead, council plans on reviewing the list of streets that are scheduled for repair and repaving this summer. The list will be prioritized once the street repair budget is finalized at the end of the snow plowing season. Mayor Tim Murphy discussed the “Green Street” grant that he has applied for. The grant would provide funding for study and development of plantings along borough streets. “Green Streets” improve the scenery, the attitude, and the style of small towns. The “Green Street” project will take a couple of years to plan and develop but will impact the community for many years.
A long-running dispute between the Borough Council and an area resident resurfaced at Tuesday night’s meeting. Anjanette Keller addressed the Council, concerning her donation to improve the basketball court at Gumtown Park and dedicate it to her son, Jonah who died while serving in the Army. Ms. Keller read a letter to the Council in which she expressed her disappointment in the Borough Council for not completing the memorial as, she said, had been agreed. Council President Sandy Mateer responded that the Council would “consider” her concerns. Ms. Keller left the meeting. When pressed after the meeting by another area resident who was there in support of Ms. Keller, the Council president explained that “on the advice of their attorney” council persons could not discuss the issue.
The council went into a brief executive session prior to adjourning.
