A part of Summit Hill's winter snow plowing ordinance that prohibits private contractors from plowing or removing snow on public streets is going to be repealed.

Council voted by a 5-2 margin, during a stormy meeting Monday night, to advertise for the repeal, and for this to become effective when council holds a special meeting at 6:30 p.m. March 9.About 30 people crowded council chambers during the meeting.Council President Jesse Walck and Councilman Michael Alabovitz opposed repealing the ordinance. In favor are Billy O'Gurek, who made the motion for the repeal; John O'Gurek, Bill Chapman, Michael Kokinda and Gregory Kosciolek.Walck said that repealing the ordinance could create liability problems for the borough.Billy O'Gurek said that the way the ordinance presently exists, "We made things difficult for people in this town."Council also agreed to hold a workshop to discuss potential changes to the snow ordinance.Budget for plowingIn another winter-related matter, a resident asked council about the borough's budget status on snow plowing and salting.Walck said he doesn't have figures but "We have plenty of money" remaining in the budget.Alabovitz, in defending the present ordinance, read a prepared statement that said allowing private vehicles to operate on borough streets puts the borough at a liability risk if an incident occurs.He said that private operators are plowing snow and dumping it on other people's property as well as the borough's property, sometimes causing damage.He disputed a resident who said he plows at White and Pine streets to open drains. It is the borough's responsibility to clear storm drains, he said.Alabovitz said, "I know certain people dislike this, but there are rules for a reason."David Hiles, who received two police citations for doing what police said was illegal snow plowing or removal, said one of the citations was given while he was clearing snow at the First Presbyterian Church, where a preschool exists.@Quote.News:"I know certain people dislike this, but there are rules for a reason."@Quote.Byline1:Michael Alabovitz@Quote.Byline2:Summit Hill CouncilmanHe said without the snow removal, if someone falls or an ambulance can't get to the site, "the borough could be liable."He added that he has $4 million of liability insurance on his equipment.Church issuesThe Rev. Barbara B. Lucia, pastor of the church, said her main concern is that there are no parking spaces at the church because of snow piles there. She said she would like to see spaces cleared around the church, "and that's major. I think people should be able to get into their church."She said members "are at great risk."Alabovitz said a problem existed for a long time at the church with double-parking and other parking-related issues. Chief of Police Joseph Fittos agreed.Fittos suggested that a no-parking zone during specific hours be established in front of the church to prohibit anyone from parking to drop children off.Alabovitz suggested that the church establish a drop-off zone for children on the opposite side of the rectory, but it was argued that this would force children to walk too far.Resident Karen Ruzicka asked, "Does it really matter how we remove snow from our streets?"Alabovitz said, "Under state law, you're not allowed to drive unlicensed vehicles on the sidewalk."Resident Stanley Zuber, a senior citizen, said, "I'm listening to a lot of things here about safety, about safety, about safety. I'm listening to you guys (referring to council members) trying to save us. From what?"Legion areaZuber then turned to Alabovitz and criticized him for making comments last month in opposition to having the borough plow the American Legion area.He said the Legion was named after five individuals who made the supreme sacrifice. He said there are 940 names on the borough's war memorial monument and "38 never came back home.""Shame on you," Zuber said, to which he received robust applause."It wasn't my intention to badmouth anyone," Alabovitz said, stating he is a member of the American Legion."Michael, I love you," Zuber said. "I think you're a very good man. Lighten up."Louis Lisella said he feels the rules of plowing are inadequate. He said the intention should be to make things better. Instead, the present policy is to plow down the middle of the street on the day of the storm. People clear their sidewalks and driveways and then the next day, the plow clears one side of the street and necessitates that residents again clear their sidewalks.In addition, he said regarding clearing properties, "You have people willing to help and you're hog-tying them. There is no reason for it."A resident of the 300 block of Carbon Alley said parking is occurring on both sides of that narrow street, making it difficult to navigate.Fittos suggested, and council agreed, that parking should be permitted on only the right side of the street.