BOROUGH COUNCIL Availability of funding means Francis Street will be repaved

The mayor complained that there are several unsightly abandoned houses.
BY MARY GRZEBIENIAK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. -- Bids will be sought for the paving of Francis Street this summer.
Borough council agreed to have specifications for the job drawn up after learning at Monday's meeting that there is enough liquid fuels money available for the project.
In other business, council passed an inter-municipal agreement formally joining with several other municipalities through the Lawrence County Regional Council of Governments to hire CodeSys of Pittsburgh to enforce the new state building code. The borough has committed $5,000 per year for three years and this amount was matched by a state grant. CodeSys will provide a code enforcement officer to be shared by the communities.
Council also approved hiring Westfield Farm Cooperative, New Wilmington, to compost leaves collected in the borough in the fall. The fee, which was not available Monday, will be the same as last year.
Crisis center request
Mayor Wendell Wagner told council he would like to see the borough make a donation to the Lawrence County Crisis Center, which helps victims of domestic abuse. The center sent a letter to council asking for a donation. But Council member Raymond Keefer said he doesn't think that this would be a good precedent because it will open the door to many other requests. Council will make a decision at the June meeting.
Wagner also complained that there are several unsightly abandoned houses in New Wilmington. Council member George Shaffer said he as been informed by the solicitor and zoning consultant that the borough will have to adopt an ordinance governing abandoned structures to be able to get them removed.
Council also heard Police Chief Carmen Piccirillo report that recent warm weather has brought an increase in the number of dog complaints. Some citations have been issued for repeat offenders, he said, adding that state law requires dogs to be restrained.
Council received a letter from Pulaski Township Police Chief Jim Morris commending New Wilmington officer Chuck Uber for his help in rescuing a child from a recent fire in Pulaski. Uber and officer Chad Adams of the Pulaski department got the child out of the building.
Council agreed to take part in a 2004 experimental program involving Westminster College public relations classes. The students will provide the borough with public relations services for a minimal fee.