Council authorizes solicitor to pursue foreclosure writs for delinquent sewer and refuse accounts

Council discussed the borough's delinquent sewer and refuse account collections and authorized the borough solicitor to pursue writs of scire facias (foreclosure proceedings) against properties listed on the delinquent accounts register. The motion to authorize legal action carried by voice vote.

The nut graf: Borough staff and council discussed whether the longstanding $500 delinquency threshold for adding liens remains appropriate as quarterly refuse/sewer rates have increased; staff proposed modifying the administrative practice to require at least one year's unpaid bills (approximately $884 under current rates) before filing liens to reduce the additional cost burden on residents.

Details and clarifications: Staff reported the $500 threshold dated from an earlier rate structure and that a lien filing currently adds roughly $414.50 in costs that the resident must pay; staff said they will bring a formal agenda item at a future meeting to set a new threshold and to clarify inclusion of penalties and collection costs in any lien amount. Council approved the solicitor action to start foreclosure proceedings for the properties on the prepared list for those accounts that remain delinquent and unresponsive.

Ending: Councilors instructed staff to continue using judgment—with outreach to residents who communicate—while bringing a formal motion to change the borough’s lien threshold at the next meeting.