The borough council on Aug. 21 adopted an ordinance accepting the dedication of three private streets into the borough road program, and amended the final language to make explicit the borough is accepting only the roadway surface — not adjacent walls, private light posts or private stormwater facilities.

The issue became contested during public comment when residents of Hansen Court objected to a sentence in the draft ordinance they said could be read to obligate the borough to maintain gate pillars, ornamental lights and a stormwater basin serving only that small community.

Why it matters: Acceptance of a road into the borough’s maintenance and liquid fuels reporting program makes the borough eligible to recover state funding for roadwork but can also create long‑run maintenance obligations if ownership or responsibility for adjacent, shared facilities is ambiguous.

What happened at the meeting: After extended public comment and a solicitor review, council members approved an amendment to the proposed ordinance clarifying that acceptance of the dedicated roads does not ‘‘constitute acceptance, expressly or by implication, of any other structural improvement adjacent to the road, including but not limited to walls, light posts, or stormwater facilities.’’ The council then adopted the amended ordinance by unanimous vote.

Solicitor John Walker told the council the clarification ‘‘would make no substantive change on this ordinance’’ but would help prevent future claims that the borough had taken ownership of private, shared facilities. Residents pressed the council to limit the ordinance to road surfaces only; some warned they opposed the borough taking on new, costly responsibilities for small groups of taxpayers.

Council also approved a companion resolution notifying the state that the borough has been maintaining the roads — a step required to pursue liquid‑fuels reimbursement. The council coordinator said the resolution will need four council signatures for notarization before submission.

What this does and does not do: Council members emphasized that the change affects only dedication for road maintenance and liquid fuels eligibility; it does not alter ownership of sewer mains or any privately held features. Solicitor Walker said lateral sewer lines and private stormwater facilities remain the responsibility of their owners, as provided by deed and local utility rules.

Next steps: Staff will notarize the maintenance resolution and submit required materials to the state. Residents who raised concerns were told staff would follow up on ownership questions for the wall and individual property deeds.