EMPORIUM — Borough officials continue to deal with blighted properties, abandoned cars and other issues in downtown Emporium.
Correspondence was received from the county assessment office concerning the former Marsiglio home located at 129 East Fifth St. The house, which suffered damage from a fire several years ago, is now available through the county repository. Two potential buyers are interested in the property, but any moves have been tabled as the borough, county and school district want time to request information from potential property owners as to what the plans are for the building.
Police Chief Dave Merritt stated that he is currently looking into several reports of first-floor storefronts and/or storage areas being rented out as apartments. According to borough ordinances, apartments are not permitted on the first floor of commercial buildings.
Borough Manager Don Reed stated that officials are working to address complaints and violations for a number of items, including blighted properties, grass ordinance violations, and abandoned vehicles.
Merritt and the police department are addressing abandoned cars, and officers are aware of several additional vehicles recently reported to the borough. Several citations are pending currently, awaiting action at the magisterial district judge level.
“Definitely with winter coming we need to get the ones on the street moved before we need to worry about snow removal,” said Merritt.
Merritt also indicated that officers are still diligently working on the drug problem in town and the surrounding area. While it appears as though issues have slowed down, officers continue to investigate reports and keep a careful eye on illegal activities.
Official notice was received concerning the Teutech assessment appeal that was decided by Cameron County President Judge Richard Masson. The property’s value decreased to $547,297 following the appeal, so the borough must repay about $12,200 to Teutech to reflect the tax liability decrease for tax years 2016 and 2017. Additional funds will be repaid by the county and the Cameron County School District, the property’s other two taxing bodies.
A zoning board hearing was held recently concerning a business operating at 327 Portage St. in Emporium. The board is to rule on whether or not the business can continue to operate at that address, and whether or not a previously-agreed-to variance, or an applied-for special exemption, allows it to remain in operation. The zoning board has thirty days from the date of the hearing to rule. If the decision is appealed, the case will be forwarded to the Court of Common Pleas. The borough and zoning officer have no authority in the matter, which is solely at the discretion of the zoning board at this time.
Borough officials announced that Trick-or-Treat would be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 28. Residents should turn on their porch lights if they are handing out candy to costumed youth.
The next meeting of the Emporium Borough Council will be held at 7 p.m. on Nov. 6 at the borough building on North Broad Street.
