A Summit Hill councilwoman wants a new sidewalk ordinance adopted by early next year.

Karen Ruzicka said she wants to see a new ordinance adopted by January but was informed that enacting such ordinances takes time, so it probably won’t occur before early next year.

It wasn’t stated what the ordinance will cover but it’s likely blacktop sidewalks will be among the things addressed.

Ruzicka said it was brought to her attention that some people in the borough are installing blacktop for sidewalks.

She said when she installed new sidewalks, she wanted to install pavers but was informed by the engineer at the time that only cement sidewalks were permitted.

She said she found out the borough presently has no sidewalk ordinance. However, Ruzicka said that after speaking with Kira Steber, the borough’s secretary/treasurer, permits must be obtained if sidewalks are changed on a property.

She said sidewalks are now installed in the borough using different materials and at different heights.

“It’s a roller-coaster ride around town with these sidewalks,” she said.

Earlier in the meeting, borough resident Joanie Morana of East Ludlow Street complained about a neighbor’s property having blacktop for sidewalks.

“That looks horrible,” she said.

Other business

• Morana asked if the borough has a noise ordinance. She said children at a neighboring day care make so much noise it’s difficult for her to work from her residence.

“I should not have to listen to 25 kids screaming at the top of their lungs when I’m trying to work,” she said.

Chief of Police Todd Woodward said he doesn’t think a judge would uphold a citation issued for children at a day care center making noise.

He added that the existing noise ordinance pertains primarily to loud music.

• The council agreed to give $25,000 from the capital fund to the Diligence Fire Company to help pay for a new pumper. The fire company said it obtained funds through a grant and low-interest loan for most of the cost of the new vehicle. The council assured that giving the money to the fire company will not deplete the account.

• The borough said it will consider selling a large inventory of dinnerware and utensils at the community center which aren’t used. Kathy Gieniec, chairman of the Recreation Commission, said there are “boxes and boxes” of items stored at the Hilltop Community Center. David Wargo, who served as chairman in the absence of the chairman and vice chairman, said if the items are sold, it must be done via bidding.

Gieniec will take an inventory of what is stored there and give the results to Steber.

• The council accepted the resignation of Daniel Long as a part-time police officer.

• Denise Smith of West Hazard Street said she would like to see more frequent police patrols in her neighborhood. She said she has been the victim of theft, vandalism and an attempted break-in. “I do not feel safe in my own home,” she said.

Chief Woodward urged her to call 911 anytime she experiences such a situation.