Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Code Enforcement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents press borough on long-running property blight and mosquito complaints; officials cite court process and county mosquito control
Summary
Two residents urged action on a vacant and deteriorating property and a mosquito-infested yard, prompting officials to describe an ongoing court enforcement process, the maximum municipal fine allowed, and prior county mosquito-control visits.
During the public-comment period, resident Mike Baker of 105 East Rambler described a long-running problem with the Popper property at Rambler and New Jersey, calling it an "eyesore" and asking whether anything could be done to speed remediation.
Baker was told the matter has been in and out of court and that timelines are controlled by judicial process. The borough's solicitor, Ron, explained that while public-works crews can cut high grass under the municipal code, forcing extensive repairs such as repainting can become a protracted court matter. "Maximum fine a municipality can impose by state statute is $2,000," Ron said, adding that judges set fines and that nonpayment or failure to comply often requires repeated summonses and continued court action.
Resident Jennifer Ladish of 104 East Monterey urged the borough to address a neighboring property she described as producing breeding conditions for mosquitoes. Officials said county mosquito control had visited the site earlier in the season and that code-enforcement staff had been engaged to develop a remediation plan. The clerk and code-enforcement staff offered to follow up with both residents after the meeting.
Officials advised residents that some matters require court action or the involvement of county health or mosquito-control authorities and that the borough will continue enforcement and follow-up communications.
