New fees for sewer line hookup in Jim Thorpe

Jim Thorpe Borough Council voted to set a flat fee for tapping into the city sewer line at $3,500 for all new construction. In the past, the fee was lower if paid within the first 90 days. But council members recalled that this was due to special circumstances surrounding a borough sewer project at that time.

The new fees go into effect immediately.

Sewer and Sanitation committee chair Joanne Klitsch said that her committee has researched the cost of flood insurance for the sewer plant and found the cost to be in excess of $3,200 for one structure and an additional similar fee for the second. This coverage would only protect the borough for one year. On the recommendation of the committee, the council voted to table the issue.

Acting on a request by the Jim Thorpe Sports Hall of Fame, council members voted to provide free manpower to aid in the erection of a new bronze monument at Jim Thorpe's mausoleum. The group was seeking donations, but council members recalled that in the past the borough had provided manpower, which was viewed by the group as a valuable donation.

The council also agreed to give permission to the group responsible for the annual Earth Day Festival to use the borough's barricade to block traffic through Josiah White Park. The festival will be held this year on the weekend of April 17 and 18. The council passed the motion subject to approval by Carbon County officials.

In this year's budget, the council built in funds to hire a borough manager. At Thursday's meeting, the council voted to advertise the open position in the hope of attracting resumes. Council president Justin Yaich said he expected to get more than 50 resumes, given the current economic conditions. The council hopes to be in a position to hire the new manager in June or July.

Council signed off on subdivision plans submitted by Justin Yaich and Calvin Ulshafer. The plans have passed through both the borough's planning commission and the county's. The first action saw an adjustment of Ulshafer's border with Yaich's property, resulting in about a half acre added to Ulshafer's property. The second was the subdivision of the remaining Yaich land, just under 5 acres, into three lots. The land is located on Coal Street.

Louis Hall, secretary for the borough's planning commission, came before the council to report on its continuing work on the Natural Resources Protection ordinance, referred to often as the "tree ordinance." He said that last month's comments from the public had been incorporated into the ordinance and that it would soon be ready for the council's action.

"We are addressing it," Hall said. "Every month we have the meetings and we do try to address everyone's concerns."

He added that two of planning commission members have not been able to attend the last five meetings for personal reasons and are not likely to be in a position to attend future meetings. Hall suggested that the council remove them and replace them with new members. The council voted to remove Pam Kattner and Charles "Sandy" Otto and advertise the open positions on the borough's planning commission.