Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Code Enforcement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents Press Council on Manor Avenue Property; Borough Outlines Citation Process
Summary
Residents urged faster action on a repeatedly neglected Manor Avenue property. Staff explained the borough’s complaint-based code enforcement process, citation steps, and limits when property owners repeatedly pay fines without remedying violations.
Several residents and council members raised long-running concerns about a neglected property on Manor Avenue, saying repeat citations have not produced cleanup and asking what the borough can do. Borough staff described the limits of the complaint-based enforcement process and next steps available under state and local law.
The nut graf: Neighbors said the property’s condition has persisted for years and voiced frustration that paying fines can leave violations unresolved; staff described the formal chain — notices, citation, waiting period, and potential Magisterial District Judge (MDJ) proceedings or liens — and said large remedial cleanups can be handled by the borough and liened to the property in limited circumstances.
Resident Randall Snyder said the borough has been "starting over for 20 years" and asked, "If they keep paying the fine, then we have to change our code." He pressed staff on whether repeat fine payments allow owners to avoid cleanup.
Rebecca, the borough manager, explained the process: "When they have a citation issued, they are expected, 1, to pay the citation, and 2, to then remedy the issue. If they pay it, it puts us in a bit of a difficult position because they paid it, but they haven't handled it. If they do neither of those, then, yes, then we we could be able to do it." She added that if owners do not pay the citation, the borough can take the matter to the MDJ and, in cases where the borough later undertakes cleanup, place a lien on the property to recover costs. Rebecca also said the borough operates a complaint-based system and that the code officer works part time, which limits proactive inspections.
Mayor and staff clarified that repeated citation steps are required by law and that, where cleanup costs are incurred by the borough, the municipality can later lien the property. Rebecca said, "In very specific scenarios, we have... gone in, we charge them for it, and then we lien the property." Council members and residents urged more consistent follow-through; staff said the borough publishes monthly code reports and that council can consider full-time code enforcement in the next budget if it chooses.
Ending: Residents asked staff to continue updating council on enforcement progress. The borough advised neighbors to continue reporting violations so staff can log cases and inspect properties under the statutory process.
