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Clarks Summit council reviews draft open‑container ordinance; solicitor outlines next steps
Summary
Council discussed a draft open‑container ordinance tailored to public property and borough property, with the solicitor saying it mirrors other Pennsylvania boroughs; council will gather advertising cost estimates before deciding whether to move forward.
Councilors reviewed a draft open‑container ordinance during the March 4 meeting, focusing on scope, enforcement and the legal steps required before passage. Solicitor Gruulak (S8) said the draft is modeled on ordinances used by other boroughs in the Commonwealth and is confined in scope to public property.
"It’s pretty consistent with law," the solicitor said, describing the draft as limiting open containers on public property such as streets, parks and borough buildings while preserving exceptions for licensed establishments and permitted events. He added that the borough must follow legal notice and advertising requirements before adopting an ordinance.
Chief (S3) highlighted enforcement tradeoffs, saying officers currently rely on discretion and warnings in many cases but that an ordinance would provide an additional enforcement tool. Council members discussed whether the problem is isolated to a few individuals or requires a formal ordinance and asked the solicitor and administration to get firm advertising‑cost estimates; rough numbers discussed ranged from a few hundred dollars to about $1,000 to publish required notices.
Council did not vote on the ordinance at this meeting and agreed to return with cost estimates and any drafting refinements before scheduling a formal vote.
