Streetlights, code concerns discussed at Shenandoah council meeting

Sep. 20—SHENANDOAH — At Monday's borough council meeting, Councilman Joe Boris provided a brief update on the replacement of the borough's streetlights, which PPL Electric Utilities had been scheduled to begin this month.

Boris said that 180 of the 420 sodium-vapor lights have been replaced with LEDs. However, he said, some of the lights are back-ordered and will not be immediately replaced.

"I think the lighting is much better now," he said.

During the public portion of the meeting, resident Carolyn Anczarski made complaints about Mulligans bar on South Main Street, including what she said is the excessive amounts of refuse it has put out on the street.

"Their trash can is outside, always overflowing," she said. " ... Find out what the trash law is at Mulligans."

She also expressed concerns about safety at a bus stop at Main and Poplar streets. She said there is a "No Parking" sign there that is ignored by many residents.

"Ticket the people," Anczarski said. "Do something, get extra money."

She also noted there is a lot of "house waste" and construction material outside a property at that location.

Code Enforcement Officer Mark Pronio said that the property is vacant and that the owner, who lives in Shenandoah Heights, was fined and will be summoned to borough hall to discuss the matter.

Pronio said that Mulligans typically empties its dumpster once a week. The borough had recently ordered the business to empty its trash at least twice a week and to have its dumpster enclosed by the end of the week, he said.

When asked why a dumpster is permitted on Main Street, Pronio said the borough's trash ordinance doesn't "block thoroughfares in any way."

He also said the borough is limited in the scope of its actions for dilapidated buildings, due to state and national real estate law.

"National real estate law ownership restricts what we can do in a lot of cases, unless it's an absolute urgent situation," he said. "We can't just go into a property and do what we want with it. That's state and national real estate law. It's also federal fair housing law. Where we can, we will go in on an emergency basis."

Regarding the Main and Poplar bus stop, council members said they would bring up the issue with Mayor Andrew Szczyglak, who was not present at the meeting due to a work commitment.

In other business Monday, the council approved:

—The purchase of a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 4500 dump truck through the state COSTARS program. The vehicle, which includes an 8-foot Boss V plow and Gledhill 8-foot Niagara Falls spreader, would have cost the borough $87,398. Tony Sajone, borough manager, said, the borough will trade in a 2016 Ford F-350 for $18,000, cutting the cost to $69,398.

—A water shutoff agreement with Aqua Pennsylvania Inc. According to James J. Amato, borough solicitor, the agreement gives Aqua the authority to terminate water service for customers with delinquent sewer bills. The borough had previously adopted a similar agreement with the former Municipal Authority of the Borough of Shenandoah, which was acquired by Aqua in July.

—The Community Development Block Grant program for 2023. The plan, budgeted at $97,255, includes measures for demolition; administration; and storm inlet/street reconstruction at West Lloyd and Locust streets.

—A bid of $1 to acquire a property at 207 W. Arlington St. for emergency demolition by Kass Contracting.

—Emergency demolition of 30 and 32 E. Lloyd St. at a cost of $9,714 from Trendsetters Investment LLC.

—Six handicap parking requests.

—A request by the Shenandoah Valley senior class to hold its homecoming parade at 6 p.m. Oct. 6.

—A request from the Shenandoah Community Ambulance Association to block East Washington to White streets for Public Safety Night Out from 4 to 8 pm. Oct. 23.

Contact the writer: hlee@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6085