Nesquehoning proposes revisions to burning ordinance

Nesquehoning Borough Council has proposed revisions to the burning ordinance it passed last year.

Residents are still allowed to have fires for recreation and cooking, but they will be limited in the number they can have going at one time.

Council will vote on the proposed revisions at its meeting next month.

Council President David Hawk said after a year under the old ordinance, council observed that it needed some clarifications.

“We realized there were a couple things we needed to further define or address — that’s what led to the revisions, the experiences we had last year,” Hawk said.

The ordinance allows for one “recreational” fire and one for cooking. Recreational fires would include fire pits and chimeneas.

Residents are not permitted to burn waste or treated lumber. The ordinance states that only seasoned hardwood is allowed.

The ordinance also includes regulations on the required setback distance from homes, property lines and public streets.

In other business

• Council agreed to borrow approximately $109,000 from the borough’s sanitation fund to fund the purchase of a truck chassis. The loan will be paid back over seven years at 1 percent interest.

• Council accepted a bid of $61,481.83 from Bruce George Paving & Excavating for its 2018 paving project. Plans call for the repaving of Rhume Street between Mermon Avenue and Allen Street, and School Street from Rhume to Coal. The work must be completed by May 25 as per the contract.

• Council rejected the sole bid of $484,000 for the rehabilitation of a treatment unit at the borough’s wastewater treatment facility. They plan to rebid the project.

• Council approved an application for more than $246,650 in grant funds for a Pennsylvania Small Water and Sewer grant for a project along Willow Lane. If the grant is successful the borough would have to pay about $30,000 of the project cost.

• Resident John Belusko asked council to look at the snow removal effort along High Street, where he has a garage.

• Councilman Michael Radocha Sr. said he checked on multiple complaints from residents about snow plowing and potholes.

• Council agreed to hire Thomas Sabulsky as a part-time police officer.