A structural engineer will inspect a small bridge in Lansford and determine what needs to be done to make it safe.

Lansford Borough Council on Tuesday agreed to hire a structural engineer to inspect the tiny Edgemont Bridge, which spans Panther Creek.Last month it was reported that a hole has appeared in the span.Council had been hesitant to bring in a structural engineer out of concern that a weight limit would be placed on the span.About a dozen homes are dependent on the bridge.Council didn't specify what engineering firm would be hired but estimated the inspection will cost about $2,000.Councilwoman Rose Mary Cannon said the engineer can tell if an "easy fix" can be done or if the work will be more extensive.Council President Michael Ditsky said he contacted a firm from Warren County which could do an overlay or remove the structure if needed.ADM Inc. makes prefabricated bridges for temporary and permanent use.Ditsky said ADM would provide a temporary bridge at the cost of $55 a day for 90 days and $35 a day after that if services would be needed."First, we must have a structural engineer look at the bridge," he said.Ditsky was irritated that no residents from the vicinity of the bridge were in attendance at the council meeting."People who are supposed to be here aren't here," he said.DelinquentsIn other business, council candidate Bob Silver told council that there are four properties with a delinquent balance of $3,171 in sewage transfer fees.Councilman Joe Butrie said one of the people involved is in bankruptcy. He said water cannot be turned off to a property in certain bankruptcy cases.Attorney Michael Greek, the borough's solicitor, said the ruling affects people who file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy and applies only to bills owed before the bankruptcy filing. They are liable for any bills coming due after that.Silver said the reference he was making applies to four rental properties.Silver said he did some research through the Freedom of Information Act and discovered that 26 property owners owe two or more years of property transfer fees, which are $90 per year.He said 10 dwelling units are two years in arrears, three are three years in arrears, two are four years in arrears, one is five years in arrears, and one other one is six years in arrears. This totals over $8,000 owed to the borough."This is ridiculous. Over $8,000 in delinquencies and we're sitting here paying $90," he said.No action was taken on his report.Council gave its approval to PPL to convert streetlights in the borough to LED bulbs. There is no cost to the borough, but PPL says there could be $215 in monthly savings to the community.