Lansford Borough doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel when it comes to existing ordinances, its code and zoning committee chair said.

Councilman Jack Soberick convened a committee meeting Thursday to discuss issues raised recently regarding code enforcement and ordinances, and opened the floor for input from residents on those matters only.

Martin Ditsky of East Abbott Street asked about an updated animal ordinance, as there was a problem with cats roaming through his neighborhood and using his carpeted porch as a litter box.

Councilman Joseph Butrie, who is not listed as a committee member, offered a recipe for a homemade cat repellent, as he has the same problem.

Resident Joe Genits presented committee members with packet of information with copies of some existing ordinances and resolutions with comments and suggestions.

One of those suggestions was using Act 101 of 2020 to file condemnation notices with the county recorder of deeds office, seeking corrective action.

This notice stays with the property, regardless of various tax or upset sales, and prospective buyers know they have to make repairs or contend with the violations, Genits said.

Soberick asked about the cost, and Genits said the borough solicitor could take 20 or more such notices to the county recorder of deeds at one time to reduce the costs.

Genits suggested updates to the borough website so that people can see current and existing ordinances, as there are missing items and searching for specific items is difficult.

“The ordinance that adopted the code of ordinances that’s on the website, but unless you know how to find it - it’s a three step process - you’ll never find it,” he said. “It’s not listed clearly or succinctly for any person looking it up.”

Genits also pointed out that the borough has five copies of the code of ordinances, one of which is in the police station, and the remaining are in blue binders in a cabinet in the borough office.

“If council members want them, they should be able to take them and sign them out,” he said.

Soberick said that he had requested a copy and had not received one, and that’s what he needs to review.

Genits said the book is 842 pages and lists all of the ordinances, including the vacant structure ordinance which some had said was removed.

The borough also has a sanitation ordinance, which deals with issues raised by Councilwoman Michele Bartek at the February council meeting, Genits said.

Bartek had complained about excess garbage piled up in the business district, and that businesses should be required to hire their own garbage hauler. She suggested looking at the ordinances at that time.

In March, Solicitor Robert Yurchak confirmed that the borough has an ordinance that deals with the issue.

“We don’t really have to touch the ordinance. It’s already there,” he told council earlier this month.

Genits offered suggestions on enforcing the sanitation ordinance, and also suggestions for other ordinances and resolutions, which should be on the website also, he said.

After a discussion and a review of numerous ordinances and issues, Soberick said that the borough seems to have sufficient ordinances, and some may need minor tweaks.

“We don’t have to reinvent the wheel. The codes are there,” he said afterward. “They may have to be tweaked, maybe. The biggest thing is that they have to be properly enforced.”