Chairman William Ravert opened the Aug. 31 meeting of Bowmanstown Borough Council by reading a statement on behalf of the residents and council.

The statement was from Judge Roger Nanovic concerning Duane Schleicher's appeal of a land-use zoning denial.On Aug. 13 the land-use appeal was "ordered and decreed that the appellant's appeal be denied."Surveyor George Fetch presented a lot-line adjustment for the cemetery on Fireline Road. It would add a level five acres to the cemetery which has a problem with steep slopes.Ursula Schaffer owns 47 acres, a portion of which is in the borough and a portion in Lower Towamensing Township. Schaffer wants to retain access to the back of the property and will have a 24-foot right of way. Her home is 800-feet from the change.It was tabled until the next meeting. Fetch said the land had been checked for endangered species.Resident Brian Billig said he is glad to see that the Lime Street project is progressing and wanted to know if any of Spring Street will be improvd.Ravert said it has been proposed but nothing definite was decided.A pole is leaning three-feet into Spring Street. It was the council's consensus that it should be replaced. Councilman Norman Engle made a motion to ask PPL to move the poles back from Spring Street. The request will be for seven to 10 feet from the roadway since the borough owns the land.Billig said the matter of open burning has to be addressed. There was washing hanging outside his house and someone lit a smouldering fire that smelled bad. He said mandating recycling would eliminate the need to burn.Councilman Chad Everett said Bowmanstown was one of the few boroughs that allowing burning and that it should be looked at again.Mayor Keith Billig said he had vetoed the last attempt to pass a burning ordinance because it still permitted part-time burning."If it says 'no burning,' I'll sign it," he said.Ravert said it should be sent back to the law committee.The moving ordinance was adopted.The sewage agreement with East Penn was signed and filed.The International Building Code will continue to be brought up until comments are received, said Ravert.Rep. Keith McCall's office called to say grant money was available for community revitalization. Sec. Tara Takerer wanted to know what project needed money if she applied for the grant. The project would be continuing Lime Street.She will also apply for a gaming grant from the Department of Community and Economic Development.Homeland Security may have money available for grants.Councilman Troy Muffley received two quotes for the back door on the municipal building. The one from Palmerton Garage Doors was for $2,325 - a double-hung, steel door with a panic bar.Councilman Burdell Steigerwalt said Bowmanstown received $759 from the tax claim bureau for June.Everett said the sewage treatment plant needed a new roof. He will get quotes for a metal roof.A breaker in the treatment plant tripped. Operator Craig Labarre suggested it be replaced with a larger one.Ernie Guldner of public works said the work on Lime Street was excavated and should have been filled with modified stone on the day of the meeting. Drainage on Spring Street is being checked.The sewer problem at 650 Ore Street has been resolved and Mayor Billig said all charges have been dropped.Ravert said most municipalities meet once a month and wanted to know if council wanted to do the same. There will be one meeting on the first Tuesday of each month starting in September, but the last Tuesday will be kept open if it is needed.