EMPORIUM — Emporium Borough Council approved a move to enter a bid on a blighted property in the business district.
The property contains three buildings — two storefronts on Fourth Street and an apartment building in the rear facing Greenwood Avenue.
The lot and buildings went unsold in last year’s judicial tax sale and have been held in the county repository since that time. A bid of $100 was entered by a resident of Florida, but since the man had no intentions of demolishing the buildings, which are unsightly and dangerous, the bid was declined by the borough, county commissioners and the school board.
The borough intends to enter a bid of $1 for purchase of the property and request tax forgiveness for back and current year taxes. Borough Manager Don Reed said that he has spoken to representatives of both entities and they seemed receptive to the move.
Borough Police Chief Dave Merritt said they have received reports of individuals riding through town on motorized bicycles, and the department plans to begin stopping operators to check for registration, licensing and necessary credentials.
Merritt said the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation considers motorized bicycles — whether powered by gasoline or electric motors — as “motor-driven cycles equipped with operable pedals,” and that they fall under similar regulations as motorcycles, only there is no requirement for a motorcycle license.
However, operators must have a valid driver’s license in order to operate them on roadways, and they must follow all applicable traffic laws, including speed limit and utilization of lanes. The vehicles are also supposed to be equipped with turn signals and other safety lighting and must have a valid registration.
In other news, the borough is still waiting for delivery of a new compacting garbage truck, which was to be delivered in the near future. There will now be a delay as there was an electrical issue, according to maintenance department head Ted Walters. The old truck is in need of replacing. A hydraulic line blew Monday, pushing back the pick-up of garbage by several hours while the truck was being repaired.
Animal Control officer George Sowers stated that he has received two recent reports of suspected rabid animals. One is a fox reported in the same area as the confirmed rabid fox captured last fall in the area of Sixth Street Extension. The second is a raccoon seen between East Fifth and Sixth streets.
Sowers said that he believes that if these two cases are confirmed there are likely to be additional rabid animals that will be discovered, as well. He is warning residents not to feed stray animals, as feed dishes placed outside attract wild animals as well as feral cats.
All reports of rabid animals should be directed to the Pennsylvania Game Commission or the Department of Health, as animal control officers do not have authority to deal with wild animal species.
Pet owners are being asked to keep their animals up to date on their rabies shots and if concerned of a bite or contact with a rabid animal take the pet immediately for a booster vaccination.
Residents are being alerted as during summer months many individuals walk or bike over to Plank Road Hollow via Sixth Street Extension.
Meanwhile, a resolution was passed unanimously to support House and Senate bills enabling municipal police forces to use radar guns for speed detection. Currently, only state police in Pennsylvania are allowed to use radar. Every other state in the U.S. allows radar use by municipal police.
In a related note, another resolution passed unanimously by borough council opposes a state House bill that would require the recording of executive sessions. Council members stated they are concerned that information not intended to be released to the public would be if the bill passes. They noted particular concern over personnel actions which might result in the violation of an employee’s privacy.
Two street closing requests were also approved. A two-block section of North Wood Street between Fourth and Fifth streets will be closed for the Family Center’s annual Children’s Fair, scheduled from noon to 3 p.m. June 3. The Memorial Day parade will be held on May 30, with sections of Allegany Avenue, Fourth Street and Woodland Avenue to be closed for that event.
The street committee has resolved a dispute over an unowned street near Mid-Cameron Authority. The street has been used jointly for more than 50 years by the borough, Shippen Township and Mid-Cameron as it used to access the county landfill, incinerator and old sewage plant. The three entities have decided to enter into an agreement to split the costs of a one-time roadway repair project as the roadway benefits all three entities. Maintenance to the road will remain as it has under the old handshake agreement.
The next council meeting will be held at 7 p.m. May 2 at the borough building on North Broad Street.
