Nesquehoning adopts fine for fire calls

Nesquehoning has had some problems over the last few years with multiple avoidable fire alarm calls.

Some progress was made recently, but there are still more calls than the borough would like.

On Wednesday, Councilwoman Rosemary Porembo reported that there were 35 avoidable fire alarm calls this year.

Because of this, council approved a motion to change the fine schedule of the avoidable fire alarm ordinance.

The first offense will still be a warning.

The second offense will be $50 and if there is no Knox box on the building, the owner will be required to install one so fire departments can access the site easier.

The third offense will be $50; and the fourth offense will be $100.

Porembo added that beyond a fourth offense, the fine will be $50 more than the prior offense for a period of 12 months from the first offense.

In other matters, Mayor Sam Kitchko announced that officer Derek Marouchoc has been sworn in as a new full-time police officer for the borough.

This addition still leaves the police force a little light though, council said, mainly because of a lack of part-time officers on the staff.

The borough is currently working to hire additional part-time police officers to help the department.