William Ravert named president of Bowmanstown Borough Council

At the Jan. 4 reorganization meeting William Ravert was named as president of Bowmanstown Borough Council. Pam Leiby is vice president. Tracy Burbage was retained as secretary. James Preston and Ted Stevenson were named solicitor and engineer respectively.

Committee chairmen are: Norman Engle, fire; Pam Leiby, law; Chad Everett, sewer, sanitation and water authority; Burdell Steigerwalt, budget and finance; Ernie Guldner, streets; Troy Muffley, property and special; and Leiby, personnel.

At last night's council meeting it responded favorably to a request from PaceMakers to travel through the borough and to have traffic control for a car cruise. The cruise, an annual event, is to be June 19, 4 to 5:30 p.m.

A thank you letter was received from the library for the borough's donation.

A memo from the water authority was tabled until the Jan. 2 meeting when the solicitor will be present.

On the matter of the burning ordinance, councilman Chad Everett asked if they can learn what neighboring municipalities do.

Ravert said most boroughs do not permit burning because of the proximity of homes though townships may have it.

The borough received $379 from the tax claim bureau and $64 for ordinance violations from the magisterial office.

The sewer computer appeared to have a problem. Everett talked to Craig Labarre of Portland Contractors, the operator. It is possible excess water from the storm caused the problem.

The new pumps have been installed in the sewer plant. The cost is to be met by East Penn Township.

The revitalization grant from the Department of Community and Economic Development received an extension of one year before it has to be used. The amount is $65,371.

Councilman Ernie Guldner is now on the sewer authority. Mayor Keith Billig wanted to know when the leakage problem on Ore Street will be fixed. He said he wanted a date.

Everett said it was his understanding that it will be fixed as soon as the weather breaks.

A few sections of curbing have not been completed where the streets are to be fixed come spring. Secretary Tracy Burbage will get prices so the borough knows what to charge people if it ends up doing the curbs. A lien will be filed on properties if there is a problem collecting the cost.

Guldner said the specs are ready to bid the street work in March.

Ravert said John Davies of PennDOT has seen and approved the plans.

Billig said the bids should go out sooner while companies do not have work lined up.

Guldner said they had been talking about dumping dirt from Lime Street on Green Street. Engle said Lower Towamensing said it can also use some of the dirt that has to be removed before paving and Walsh has said there is no problem with dumping it where they are dumping dirt from the turmpike.

Guldner said there are four brush piles on the side of Hamilton Street. The area is being cleared for recreation. Two possibilities for dumping it were discussed - on gun club lands and on the water authority land where it will shelter small game.

Billig said it would have cost a large amount to have the land cleared and since volunteers are doing it, he thinks the borough road crews can haul the brush away. It was approved.

A plain, white van owned by the borough will have Bowmanstown Borough painted on it or the name placed with letters or a single plastic strip. The secretary will get prices for the different methods of marking it.

A woman taken to court for letting her dogs run at large was fined $410, which includes court costs.