Belligerent car owners who refuse to move their vehicles during a snow emergency could see their wallets take a hit.

Borough council, on a 5-0 vote on Thursday, agreed to advertise for adoption an ordinance that would raise the fee to $25 for fines for removing cars during snow removal.The current fine is $10.Councilmen Jason Behler, Richard Nothstein, Kris Hoffner, Councilwoman Holly Sell, and council President Terry Costenbader were in favor. Councilmen Jeremy Barbosa and Michael Ballard were absent.After council's decision, resident James Brown, of 536 Lehigh Ave., expressed his appreciation to council."I'd like to thank council for raising that fine," said Brown, who initially praised the borough work crew for its snow plowing, before he asked council before its vote to consider upping the fee."I also think it's time to raise the fine to $25," he said. "The borough needs to do something to enforce this."Brown continued, "Today, there is no respect; they don't respect anybody.""They're going to complain, they're going to scream," he said. "It's simple; move your vehicle."Hoffner lauded residents for their patience in dealing with the recent rash of snowstorms."I'd like to thank the residents of Palmerton for bearing with us with snow removal," Hoffner said. "I think our people did a real fine job under the circumstances to make our streets safe."Sell said she, too, was pleased with the snow cleanup.Danielson concurred with that sentiment, and added, "For the type of storms, my opinion is they've done a very good job."Hoffner added, "I thought they did a great job."In light of another potential snowstorm looming Sunday night into Monday, Sell cautioned residents to move their vehicles in the event of snow.Sell told Brown she could empathize with him."That happened outside my own place," Sell said. "I hear you on this; it is a problem."Also under the hearing of visitors, resident Theresa Kresge of 311 Lafayette Ave., told council that she is in the middle of two houses that are in foreclosure.Kresge said that the homes at 309 and 313 Lafayette Avenue are in foreclosure, and added her heating bill continues to rise due to the state of the home next to hers."I have to heat my clothes before I put them on," Kresge said. "It's like getting into a refrigerator."Kresge expressed several concerns."I'm afraid about the pipes bursting," she said. "I'm worried about possible critters in my house; I've been thinking about putting my house on the market."Costenbader told Kresge that the borough could send its code enforcement officer out to check on the homes, but added, "Really, the borough has no control over it."Borough Manager Rodger Danielson told Kresge, "Often the code officers don't know who to call.""You're not alone; your concerns are justified," Danielson said. "It is a valid concern, and real problem for codes as well."Hoffner applauded Kresge for attending the meeting and voicing her concerns.