Nesquehoning residents are concerned about excessive trash and filth, as well as noise taking over parts of the borough.

A couple of residents asked council if something could be done regarding homeowners who do not care for their properties. They cited trash, inside furniture sitting out on porches or sidewalks, overgrown yards and even rodent infestations at several homes near them.

One showed photos of rodents and filth coming under her fence and said she has been bitten up by fleas. Because of this, her doctor is sending her to infectious control because she has been ill because of the conditions.

Council President David Hawk said the borough’s code enforcement will address the matter and take appropriate action. The borough secretary currently handles code enforcement complaints when she can. The town also has a certified inspector through Barry Isett who helps with some more difficult code issues.

Councilman Frank Jacobs said the borough can’t afford a full-time code enforcement officer, but Councilwoman Rosemary Porembo said maybe the borough budget or safety committee can look at ways to see if at least a part-time code enforcement officer can be hired.

Councilman Lou Paul, who has spoken about the issue of unkempt properties in the past, said he is “ashamed at the situation.”

“It seems to me that this is the norm in Nesquehoning,” he said. “I have been walking all over this town and I see nothing but garbage and trash in neighborhoods and people have nothing but filth. I have been fighting this since I got on council but it seems like it is getting worse. We need to think about doing something. It’s the same people.”

He suggested doubling or tripling the fines so they would be a deterrent.

Resident John Baranovich urged council to do something.

“I really feel our borough is going downhill,” he said. “I urge council to hire a code enforcement officer. … It’s getting worse, and worse, and worse.”

He asked about an ordinance for inspections of rental properties, but council said that it does not have one in place.

Porembo said that maybe that is something council should consider for when a property is vacated and then re-rented.

“It seems like our problems have really escalated,” Porembo said. “Maybe we need to look at ordinances.”

“I’m frustrated, I’m totally frustrated and I am ashamed to be sitting here with the conditions that some of these properties are,” Paul said. “We as a council have to get off our butts and do what we got to do, either double or triple the fines and go after these people. If not, this town is going to end up in shambles.”

Baranovich also asked if there was a noise ordinance in the borough, citing music from parties on the Broad Mountain that echo through the valley. Jacobs said it used to be 11 p.m. but wasn’t sure if there was an ordinance anymore.

Baranovich said he couldn’t find one on the borough’s website.