Crawford takes Susquehanna council seat
Published: July 1, 2009
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share thisSue Crawford of Prospect St., Susquehanna, was approved by council at its June 23 meeting for a council seat.
She was administered the oath of office by Mayor Denise Reddon and took the seat vacated by William Kuiper on May 11.
Vice-president William Perry opened the council meeting and conducted the council’s business until the arrival of President Michael Matis at 7:40 p.m. Other councilmen present were Dave Scales, Roy Williams and Allen Wolfe; Bill Iveson was absent.
Jim Davis of Davis, Gregory & Kyle Insurance attended the meeting to discuss with council any changes in their current policy.
Davis said the premium is down a few dollars and there are some increases in values to keep up with inflation. The Main Street and bridge lights will be added.
Davis answered all questions asked by council members and asked for an inventory of all equipment. He explained the workmen’s compensation for the fire department and the flat charge for the ambulance service.
According to Davis, there has been discussion on changing the price based on the number of ambulance calls but that will not happen at this time.
Mayor Reddon spoke of the borough’s curfew ordinance being enforced. There will be one warning give before the offender is fined. Anyone with questions on this ordinance may contact the borough office.
There are also problems with the new addressing as the new addresses attached to a residence are not as prominent as the old house numbers which are still in place. Council voted to amend Ordinance #406, pertaining to the new addressing, and to have it take effect immediately. Violators will face a $25 fine and cost of prosecution for failure to display addresses.
Once again residents of West Main Street attended the council meeting to discuss the parking problems on West Main Street.
Councilman Perry told those attending that council had previously stated the borough ordinance covering parking would not be enforced without bringing it up to the public.
“We bought a property on Washington Street for a parking lot and people are complaining,” Perry said. “No matter what we do it is wrong,” he added.
According to Councilman Scales, both the Pennsylvania State Police and PennDOT have concerns on West Main Street parking as a safety issue.
It has been implied if the problem is not solved PennDOT will not send equipment to do snowplowing or other work normally handled by Penn DOT.
Scales suggested holding a public meeting in July pertaining to West Main Street parking only. No action was taken on this suggestion. Susquehanna’s Main Street is a state highway but is covered by borough ordinances. If the pending Parking Ordinance #416 is ever adopted in its present form it would make Avenues one way, allowing parking along one side of the street.
Andrew Francis, a West Main Street resident, presented a survey pertaining to residents complaints. Francis said there are complaints about people blocking driveways and wreckers have been called to move cars.
Residents had suggested the borough move property lines back from the existing road in order to provide convenient parking for those living on West Main Street. “If we provide parking by moving property lines for one person we will have to do it for every property owner,” Perry said.
An Historical Society has shown interest in the box car parked down by the Starrucca House. Council agreed to have Matis contact the interested party and give them the box car as long as they take all the railroad cars, plus any other railroad car parts in a specified time. When the rail cars were parked at their present location there were plans to refurbish them but without the proper funding and manpower the plans were put on hold.
