Lansford Borough Council worked through a packed agenda Wednesday night after residents again aired quality of life complaints and other issues.

Mayor Hugh Vrablic said police issued about 60 citations for quality of life issues, such as weeds and high grass.

Councilman Bill Chuma said he passed along about 30 problem areas to police as well.

Resident Denise Leibensperger said she filed multiple complaints on a West Ridge Street property, on which now there are snakes, and called out Chuma on not cutting down weeds.

He told her he can’t send borough workers to cut grass in peoples’ yards, and she accused him of changing his tune. That’s when the volume on the conversation went up.

“We don’t do private lots,” Chuma said in a raised voice. “I never said that.”

Leibensperger continued to press him about the complaints, and the exchange got more heated.

“This is ridiculous,” Chuma said. “We’re going to go and clean everybody’s property up. Just special for you! I’ll send the guys tomorrow. They won’t cut the grass in the park! They’ll do yours!”

Council President Bruce Markovich told Leibensperger they were waiting on paperwork from the school district on moving the bus stop from that area, and she said that wasn’t her issue.

Leibensperger said her issues were the snakes in the high grass, and children running and playing there, and then shifted to another issue, the high cost of health insurance and what the borough was doing to save money.

Markovich said health insurance is contractual, and she said the borough could change plans for the office workers and open the other contracts as a hardship on the borough.

“I think we’d get a lot of push back on that,” Markovich said, adding that if she had additional information they’d look at it. “Anything that saves money, I’m happy to look at.”

Residents also asked questions on agenda items, and pointed out that some agenda items hadn’t been discussed at committee meetings ahead of the regular meeting.

“The agenda tonight is very large,” resident Joe Genits said. “And very little of it was discussed in last week’s committee.”

Council doesn’t have to discuss everything at a committee meeting, and if that were the case, what happens to items that come up between the committee meetings and the council meeting, Markovich asked.

Resident Rose Mary Cannon added wording of the agenda gives the appearance that the motions were predetermined.

Markovich said that was not the case, and anyone could ask a question or discuss a motion before voting.

Following public comments, council:

• Opened one bid for heating oil from Kattner Coal and Oil of Nesquehoning at $3.69 gallon. Council awarded the contract to the lone bidder.

• Denied handicapped parking spaces for 627 E. Patterson St. and 37 W. Patterson St.

• Approved a special event form for Friends of Lansford Recreation for tree decorating starting Nov. 29 and tree lighting Dec. 3 at 6 p.m.

• Heard the report from solicitor who said he was still working on the rental and handicapped ordinances, and would send drafts to council. He also said he is still working on an investigation on the borough hard drives.

• Moved on sending a thank you Smokey Krajnak and his wife for cleaning the miner’s memorial at Kennedy Park.

• Approved having Billitier Electric install five LED lights, timer and new outdoor box at the tennis courts and skate park at a cost of $7,360.

• Adjusted the current fee schedule for zoning permits from $60 to the actual costs as determined by ARRO Engineering.

• Moved to advertise a tract of land, which was part of the former Silberline property, for public sale, seeking bids. The sale price will include costs for appraisal, survey legal fees and any other borough incurred cost.

• Moved to remove basketball backboards and supports from the former Kashmere Court to the former ice skating rink.

• Moved to pave the skate park and former ice skating rink at an estimated cost of $27,500. The cost will be split between the parks and recreation budget and COVID-relief funds.

• Moved to add the electronic code of ordinances, the handicapped application and the zoning ordinance to the borough website.

• Moved on sending a letter of support in Summit Hill Borough and historical society’s application for a gaming grant to develop concept designs and plans for a historical attraction/visitor center.