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Residents urge Lebanon City to act on scooters, speeding, trash and delayed dog park opening
Summary
Multiple residents told the council they face safety and quality-of-life problems — motorized bicycles on sidewalks, narrow streets used for speeding, overflowing trash cans and potholes — and requested speed monitoring, enforcement and repairs; the mayor and chief said enforcement steps and infrastructure work are planned.
At the open-microphone portion of the Lebanon City Council meeting, residents raised a range of neighborhood concerns, from motorized bicycles riding on sidewalks to recurring trash and pothole problems and delays opening a new dog park.
Michael DeNovo, who identified himself as a Lebanon City resident, told the council he had nearly been struck by a motorized bicycle on a sidewalk in front of his home and asked whether the city had heard similar concerns and what could be done about sidewalk and street safety. "I've been able to avoid hurting someone else on a couple of occasions, and I've been fortunate enough to not be hurt myself," DeNovo said, urging action on enforcement or speed monitoring in his East Chestnut Street neighborhood.
The public-safety chief said e-bikes, bicycles and skateboards on sidewalks are on the department's radar and that the department is developing directives and enforcement steps for the summer; the chief noted vehicle and enforcement resources will be directed where needed. Mayor Sherry Alcapello also said the city will post PennDOT guidance about classification and restrictions and said officials are considering enforcement and educational efforts for warmer months.
Darryl Cox, another resident, asked the council to press utilities and public works to finish projects on Lincoln Avenue and Guilford Street and described a severely deteriorated stretch of Gilbert Street and an intersection dip at 5th and Lehman he said posed a traffic hazard. He also raised concerns about blighted properties, including specific addresses he said need cleanup, and about overflowing garbage cans that he said create unsanitary conditions.
Alcapello said the city routinely issues code-enforcement notices and imposes recurring fees for violations; she noted the city can place liens on properties with outstanding fees (for amounts above $500) and sometimes delays buyer notification certificates until violations are addressed. Councilors asked about the next enforcement steps after issuing warnings; the mayor said recurring fees and liens are part of the enforcement toolbox and that the city has increased assertiveness in recent years.
A representative who identified themself with 'Madras School' asked about potholes near hospital parking lots and an update on the long-delayed dog park. The mayor said the dog park's turf seeding failed due to drainage issues and the city has contracted a drain-tile installation and reseeding; staff hope to cordon off the work and allow partial park use in May–June after drainage work and reseeding.
What happens next: Officials asked residents to call the nonemergency number or use the Crimewatch app to report locations for targeted enforcement and repairs; the mayor and chief said they would pursue enforcement actions and infrastructure repairs where resources and scheduling allow.
