Weissport’s Hofford Mill Hostel owner Lucie McEvilly complained to council last week that there has been an increase in her garbage bill. Vice President Brenda Leiby, council member Thomas Ketchledge and solicitor Greg Mousseau, in response to the question, explained that the old garbage ordinance that the borough had in place wasn’t being followed properly, or enforced as it should have been for several years.

The borough is revising the old garbage ordinance. Lynette Moyer has been working on the borough’s garbage deficit, and has lowered it by thousands of dollars recently.

“People simply weren’t paying their trash bill, and because of the lack of sanitary conditions this would create, people’s garbage continued to be picked up no matter if they paid their bill or not, and it’s simply unfair,” Moyer said.

Officials could send out notices to residents, but they didn’t always pay.

At that point, an officer could come and assess your assets so that a levy could be placed on certain personal property of the delinquent individual.

In some cases, a resident or business would rent a dumpster, have it on their property, and think that they could avoid paying their regular trash bill, which is not the case.

Council members want residents to be aware that once the new garbage ordinance is finalized, it will be enforced, and that every occupied house, apartment or dwelling will be responsible for their garbage bill.

If someone chooses to not pay, the borough will take action.

Other business

The Weissport code enforcement officer will be looking into a complaint that boarders at Weissport’s Hofford Mill hostel are staying longer than allowed.

Weissport Council said at the meeting last week that the hostel avoids paying a specific tax by claiming to run the business differently from how it actually does.

Borough residents have been recognizing the long-term stays by boarders, in some cases, lasting months. The hostel’s business affairs will be questioned by a zoning officer to ensure proper compliance as well as for tax purposes.

Police

Chief of police Matthew Williams released data on crime statistics for the period between March 16 through May 18. In all, Williams responded to 38 calls requesting an officer including what led to six criminal arrests. The board commended Williams for his strong police work.

Property tax extension

The board addressed agreed to extend the property tax grace period.

Mousseau said, “What this does is extend the due date for your tax payment, thereby pushing the date forward and avoiding the penalty for not paying by what would be the initial final due date.”

As a reminder however, he said, “Do not forget to pay your property taxes altogether; the time extension is meant for those who are struggling to meet the payment deadline before a penalty is assessed, and this is solely due to the COVID circumstances.”