Summit Hill police chief wants dumpsters regulated

Snowplow drivers have more than parked cars and narrow streets to worry about in winter.

They also have to maneuver around dumpsters.

Summit Hill Borough Council was told last week that the number of dumpsters showing up on borough streets appear to be increasing, making plowing snow more difficult.

As a result, Chief of Police Joseph Fittos asked the borough council to consider adopting an ordinance placing regulations on dumpsters. Such regulations would require a permit for having one placed at curbside and dictate how long the dumpsters could remain there.

Summit Hill has some narrow streets where a dumpster could make passage difficult not only for plows, but emergency vehicles such as fire apparatus.

“They’ve been popping up all over,” Fittos told the council. “We can’t plow the roads properly.”

Any regulations for dumpsters would also pertain to storage trailers placed at curbs.

Fittos said there are presently four dumpsters in the town. Some have no identification on them.

“I feel we should have an ordinance that requires a permit (for dumpsters) and that they be identified,” he said.

Council President Michael Kokinda said they shouldn’t be on streets during the winter months.

At least one of the dumpsters has been at its present location for months, it was reported.

Although no formal action was taken of Fittos’ request, council said it will have its solicitor, attorney Michael Greek, look into the potential for such regulations.

In other business

• Council member David Wargo said he will try to meet quarterly with the fire department.

• No bids were received for a used 2007 Crown Victorian police cruiser that the borough wants to sell. The council agreed to re-advertise.

• Council voted unanimously to hire H.T. Lyons of Allentown to replace a heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit for the borough hall at a cost of $8,750.

Council said the present unit is 10 years old and can no longer be repaired.

Council member Karen Ruzicka said she wants to know what type of warranty the new unit will have, but agreed to the purchase because of the urgency of the situation.

• William O’Gurek Jr. was appointed the borough’s representative on the Carbon County Council of Governments. Gregory Kosciolek was named alternate.

• Fittos and police Sgt. Jeffrey Ohl were given permission to attend a seminar titled “Critical Decision Making for Complex Coordinated Attacks” on May 10 and 11 at the county Emergency Management Agency building.

• In his monthly police report, Fittos said the police department responded to 362 complaints in February. Eighteen traffic citations were issued and 55 warnings were given.

Ten criminal complaints were filed at district court during the month.

There were 12 assist calls to other police agencies, while one police assist was provided from other police agencies to Summit Hill.

Four traffic accidents were investigated.