Lansford Borough Council’s new public safety chair believes members need to discuss hiring a code officer for issues, such as high grass or garbage.

The police force can’t handle these kinds of complaints, Councilwoman Michele Bartek said.

“We do not have a police force big enough or available to take care of things that are going to be coming up, like high grass, or people using their yards as dumpsters,” she said.

“We are in desperate need of a code officer to take care of all these small things,” Bartek said, as she opened the public safety committee discussion.

Council Vice President Jay Doyle immediately questioned whether they were talking about public safety or code enforcement.

“It’s kinda under both,” Bartek replied.

She explained that she already got complaints about garbage, and the other issues, such as weeds and high grass, will soon be coming in.

“All of this has to be addressed,” Bartek said. “We have to start fining people harder for this stuff.”

The garbage complaint was specifically about trash being put out too early in the business district, she said.

Computers, more officers

Bartek also noted that Cloud Service will install the new computers for the police once council approves payment next week.

Council voted to buy the computer system from Cloud Service last month, but the bill won’t be approved until Wednesday, Markovich said.

Councilman Joe Butrie again raised the possibility of offering sign-on bonuses for new police hires. He suggested a $2,000 bonus, which would be repaid if the officer left before completing a year with the department.

Council members believe existing officers would file a grievance over the practice.

Council is also working out details on advertising for additional officers on the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association website, Bartek said. Council had voted on the move last year, but discovered no ad on the website this year.

The borough used the association’s services to conduct a search for a new police chief last year, resulting in the hiring of Kyle Woodward.

Fire company

Council also will be voting on 2023 bills from the fire company next week, Bartek said.

Last month, council members said they had not received bills for reimbursement from the American Fire Co. No. 1 of Lansford since 2022, and planned to talk with fire officials to resolve any issues.

The borough used to provide the fire company with tax funds allocated for the fire company, but due to a change in accounting practices, now asks the fire company to submit its bills for reimbursement.

Council did receive the 2023 bills, and these will be reimbursed.

Bartek also noted that the fire company was awarded a grant for $14,400, and requested that those funds go toward the mortgage on its building.

Markovich questioned which grant, because if it’s the grant for equipment and turnout gear, those funds have to be used for that purpose, he said.

Bartek said that will be on council’s agenda for next week.