Summit Hill Borough officials said the number of delinquents for garbage collection bills is dramatically increasing.

"We are having lots of issues," said Borough Secretary Kira Steber.Borough officials said that as of today, there are 285 accounts of its nearly 1,500 are delinquent, totalling $48,019.75.The fourth quarter installment was due on Nov. 22. Anything not paid up to that point is delinquent.The council agreed to have its solicitor, Attorney Michael Greek, make collection efforts.Attorney Greek said the matter could be given to collection agencies, but they will only send out some letters and then send the list of those who haven't paid back to the borough.Steber said that in the past, the delinquents would be taken to a District Judge where they would be ordered to make payments, possibly just $5 a week, so they never catch up with the payments.Attorney Greek says a new state statute dictates that such collections no longer be forwarded to magistrate court. Instead, the council must take civil action.He said he will obtain judgements against those customers who don't make payment. If the property is in an estate or in the hands of a bank, then a lien will be attached."We've got to do something," Steber said. "It's ridiculous."It was not stated at the meeting how much the delinquency total is.In other matters:* The council agreed to establish a separate bank account for the Community Center so that it can keep better track of center-related funds.* Two part-time police officers were hired. They are Matthew Black and Bruce Broyles.* When the council reorganizes in January, it likely will be changing its meetings from the second Monday of the month.That's because Council President Michael Kokinda said in a letter to the council that his work schedule interferes with those Monday night meetings.* The borough zoning officer said that outdoor burning in wood burners presently is permitted only from Oct. 1 to April 30. He said a resident requested that the period be extended through the end of May.Councilman Michael Alabovitz said he was opposed to extending the period since this is the only request which was received.* The council agreed to purchase wear shoes for the snow plow at a cost of $377 each. The shoes keep the plows from dragging on the street.* Diligent Fire Company was granted permission to host an antique car show in Ginder Field on Sunday, Sept. 21, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. In the event of rain, it would be held on Ludlow Street in front of the fire station.* The council agreed to hire Joseph Collura as its auditor.