Lansford Borough Council moved ahead on changes to the garbage ordinance, which no longer allows for exemptions.

Council on Wednesday approved advertising the revised ordinance with final adoption anticipated next month.

The borough has been flooded with requests from residents seeking exonerations and exclusions since a new garbage fee went into effect with the new contract with Tamaqua Transfer.

Quarterly garbage fees nearly doubled, going from $60 to $115, or $460 for a full year.

The borough has received numerous reasons why residents shouldn’t have to pay the garbage fee. Some claim they don’t put out garbage or share garbage service with a neighbor or relative, or take their garbage to work.

Council last month agreed to change the ordinance to say that every property gets billed, and solicitor Bob Yurchak made the changes.

Councilman Jack Soberick pointed out that they may need to restructure the fees, if every home is billed, and that could potentially lower the quarterly fee because more people are paying in.

Fireworks, streets

Council approved changing the fireworks ordinance. Councilwoman Jennifer Staines requested a change following the July Fourth holiday weekend, which had numerous people shooting off fireworks within the borough.

Council also received complaints about people blocking streets to set off fireworks, which under state law is not permitted within most of the borough due to proximity of homes.

Staines suggested only allowing fireworks on the July 4 holiday, and also soundless or low-noise fireworks only.

Streets

Council approved a list of streets for paving, pending approval from a regional Pennsylvania Department of Transportation representative.

Streets include: Powell from Abbott to Bertsch and Patterson to Ridge; Center from Patterson to Bertsch; Klock’s Hill, unit block of West Abbott; Abbott from Cortright to Bertsch; East Abbott from 600 block to Bertsch; 600 block of East Kline; Parkway from Route 209 to the island; and Dock from Route 209 east for 974 feet.

Council also tabled a motion asking PennDOT to do a traffic study to lower speed limits to 15 mph at no cost.

Councilman Joseph Butrie requested the study, but council President Bruce Markovich said that the program may no longer be available and more information will be sought.