Weatherly Borough Council discussed replacing a police cruiser at its February meeting.

An aging police cruiser will be replaced in four to six weeks with a new Ford four-wheel drive extended cab police package pickup truck. The low bidder within PA COSTARS was Kovatch of Nesquehoning, at $51,495.53. The package includes lights and lettering.

A new in-vehicle computer system for information and communication will be installed by the borough before the truck hits the road.

The purchase will be as a lease.

Council voted to stay in-county by accepting a proposal from Mauch Chunk Trust for a three-year lease at 2.53%, with a $1 buyout.

Ambulance

Council members said answers are not available about the closing of the Greater Weatherly Ambulance Association.

There is coverage by the Mahoning Valley Ambulance Association, which parks a unit at the borough building and uses council chambers as a place to stand by.

There are proposals from associations including Mahoning Valley Ambulance about continuing coverage. Since the Weatherly ambulance covered the borough and nearby townships, borough Manager Harold Pudliner proposed calling together officials from the townships affected to work on a solution together if possible.

No further action was taken.

It was agreed to prepare a petition about abandoning a paper street, an extension of Fell Street between Sixth Street and Edgewood Lane that was never completed. Both property owners affected are reported to agree to this. This was approved on a vote of six members to zero with Councilwoman Theresa D’Andrea abstaining because the issue affects her family.

Police report

Police Chief Brian Markovchick reported a busy January, with 250 incidents, 36 tickets for traffic, 60 for nontraffic, and a criminal charge. There are 71 pending court cases. Magistrate fines were $828 and impound fees $800.

Weatherly Council will meet at 6:30 p.m. March 16 at borough council chambers on Wilbur Street.

Cleanup

With the warmer winter weather, it was decided to “get a jump” on pothole patching.

Also discussed was the idea from Councilman Jeffrey Miller for a public cleanup weekend for Eurana Park. Pudliner plans to prepare a list of small projects that can be completed in a day, then set a day in the spring for this work.

In his manager’s report, Pudliner thanked everyone for their cooperation about the moving of garbage day to Mondays.

Council discussed placing “no parking” signs, including on the dead end of Younker Avenue. A business person on that street asked if that area might not be a “no parking” area. It was agreed to “talk with police” and also go take a look. The removal of some no parking signs on Carbon Street was discussed.

Councilman Joe Thomas advanced an idea of creating a revitalization committee “to spruce up Weatherly” and support new businesses. That committee was approved at the January meeting with Thomas, Miller and Norman Richie as members. Thomas plans a meeting to attract interested community members in the near future.