Two extra rows of folding chairs had to be added to the Slatington Borough Hall Monday night.

Residents turned out in high numbers to comment on long-debated ordinance 674, an inspection check list for rental housing and property transfers.Before taking public comment the board appointed new solicitor Tom Anewalt of Dimmich, Dinkelacker and Anewalt, P.C., of Fogelsville. Anewalt replaced Ed Healy of Steckel and Stopp, who was the solicitor for 20 years.Residents or property owners in the borough took to the podium to share concerns on fees and fairness.Jason Ruff, owner of Charlotte Fay's Diner, spoke first. While he understands the foundation of the ordinance is to bring a higher quality of life to the area, he did not agree on the proposed fees."Slatington is already one of the highest tax rated boroughs in the county. I don't know if it's the best solution to raise fees," Ruff said, adding he fears he might be "nitpicked" over the code after already spending a vast amount of money to update his building and rentals.Ron Scheffler's concerns are about the fairness of the ordinance being applied equally to all landlords."There are blighted properties, one at 667 Main St., owned by (Councilman Bryon) Reed. You need to make sure there is fairness in property owners."Slatington resident Kris Burke also singled out Reed during her comments."The council has said 'We have to start somewhere.' You're right. You should start with him (Reed). He's had deplorable properties for years. Complaints have been filed and nothing done. How can you tell people to clean up without taking care of your own house first?"Gary Grube, rental property owner, had questions about the process and the thoroughness of inspections."Can I just make a comment? This has gotten blown out of proportion," said Councilman John Rinker."We don't want water leaks and holes in the wall. We have landlords that are renting out apartments like that. I'm sure you don't want your properties next to something like that."Ashley Ortelli agreed with Rinker and gave the board and residents her own experience dealing with a landlord in Slatington."I have a house next to a house that the landlord doesn't care about. There are sewer issues now coming into my house. There is garbage and tires piled up in the walk way. He didn't have it inspected before someone moved in. Having that next door ruins my property value," she said.Melissa Freer told a similar story about renting."I used to rent a house, and I have three kids and animals. It's not easy to find a home with kids. I had to move into this place after a bad divorce."There are good renters and bad renters, just like there is good landlords and bad landlords. I had my dryer start on fire; the electrical work was not up to date. I paid my rent on time. The house is not good. I don't want something bad to happen to my kids."According to landlord Ann Merlot, this type of ordinance is common in other municipalities."Most places do not charge both an annual fee and inspection fee. It is difficult to find good tenants in Slatington. Obviously we do need to have some landlords inspected."The fee Merlot referred to is an annual $10 per unit fee plus an extra $45 dollar fee every time the rental changes hands.The board approved the ordinance by a 6-1 vote. In favor were Michael Brogan, Gwyneth Jones, Bob Steets, David Schnaars, Jon Rinker and Joe Wechsler.Reed voted against the ordinance.The fees were approved on a 4-3 vote. Jones, Wechsler, Schnaars and Rinker voted to pass the motion. Steets, Brogan and Reed voted no.