To obtain revenue for upgrading its municipal sewerage system, Summit Hill Borough Council said last night it is considering imposing a "transmission sewer fee."

No formal action was taken on the matter, but several council members indicated they are looking into this."I think we need one," said Councilman Michael Alabovitz of the proposal. He said such a fee would possibly allow for the replacement of two blocks of the archaic sewer lines per year.Alabovitz said discussion would have to occur with the borough's engineer to determine how much the fee would be, but he estimates it might be $75 annually.Even with such a fee, it was agreed that replacing the sewer mains could take a long time.The council also indicated that when sewer lines are replaced, it will ask the Water Authority to replace its lines so that streets don't have to be dug up a second time.Alabovitz suggested that the mains and laterals be replaced curb to curb so that when residents have problems such as blocked lines, that they won't have to encroach on the roadways.The council said it will have more information after discussions with the borough's engineer.In other matters:• The council was given a long list of individuals who haven't paid their annual garbage collection fees for 2011. It was noted that some of the individuals on the list have been taken to the magistrate's office for collection and some have begun making periodic payments.Council will review the list.• Philip Thompson of East Holland Street asked for "parameters" of the borough's noise ordinance. He said he was cited several times by police after a neighbor complained that he was playing his TV or stereo too loud. He said he has a decibel meter which indicates the sounds from the electronics are well within state permitted limits. He complained that even when his children play video games, a neighbor makes complaints.Chief of Police Joseph Fittos said the noise ordinance doesn't list decibel levels. He said it merely states that "if (the noise) is unreasonable and it's bothering someone, it's against the ordinance." He said this is also the way the Pennsylvania Crimes Code reads.Thompson said he previously lived in Levittown and there every police officer has a decibel meter. He said on the meter, an 80 reading is an alarm clock and his meter indicates his TV and stereo are less than this. He said he lives in a half-double home and it is the resident on the opposite side who makes the police complaints.A hearing on the complaints is scheduled at the office of District Judge Casimir Kosciolek on June 7.Fittos refused to discuss particulars on the matter because a hearing is planned."It's going to have to be tried in front of a judge," said the police chief.Councilman John O'Gurek suggested the borough look into how other communities are enforcing noise ordinances and possibly rely on decibel readings, with Alabovitz agreeing with him.Philips said he was visited by police seven times in the past three weeks and just received a citation yesterday."This is blatant harassment from my neighbor, who in turn is turning the police into it," he complained.• The council awarded bids to Eastern Industries of Center Valley for road materials, including paving items and anti-skid materials. Eastern Industries provided the lowest bids of four firms which submitted quotations. The awarding of them is still pending a review by attorney Michael Greek, the borough's solicitor.• An inspection of playgrounds was done by the borough's insurance company, H.A. Thompson. Among the recommendations was replacing swings and adding surfacing materials.Council President Michael Kokinda said, "It pretty much looks like just surface issue."The report will be given to the Summit Hill Recreation Commission, which maintains the playgrounds.• A letter of resignation was accepted by Amber Shemansik as assistant secretary effective April 24.The council agreed to advertise for a replacement for the part-time position, with applications due on May 30.