The Weissport borough council heard from residents Monday night regarding canal property involved in a homelessness problem affecting the borough.

At its borough meeting Monday night with solicitor Greg Mousseau, the council discussed and heard ideas for how to address problems regarding homeless people sleeping at the Weissport canal and leaving messes.

Resident Gail Maholick voiced her concerns, saying she has seen the people herself while at the canal. She says that between 8 and 9 a.m. one morning in recent weeks she saw many homeless people gathering at the canal cooking food and smoking cigarettes. She said the people left a mess and left burning grills unattended.

"They're leaving cigarette butts, they're sleeping in bags," Maholick said.

Maholick recommended turning some of the property of the canal over to the canal commission to remove the borough's responsibility for the messes left by the homeless, but Mousseau said that it would still fall under the borough's jurisdiction. The borough collects $105 in profits from owning the property, but Maholick said she fears the land may become more of a liability than an asset should the homelessness problem continue.

"It's not like they're living there all the time and I'm not trying to pick on the homeless," said Maholick, "but when they're leaving messes we can't have that."

Mousseau recommended the issue be brought up at the next canal meeting. He also suggested there be discussion between residents, the canal commission and the owners of Central Lunch.

At the same meeting the council was also shown evidence of signs in the borough park being defaced. Stickers reading "Please play in the park" were placed on signs displaying park regulations over a line prohibiting playing in the park.

Vice President Arland Moyer Sr. presented the photographs to the council. Constable James Osborne also reported that he has had success in having certain cars in parking violation moved.

The board also heard that the interview for a candidate for a new police officer for the borough would need to be delayed as the candidate could not make a previously arranged date.

Treasurer Bill Donovan reported that fuel audits from both 2015 and 2016 were complete, meaning all audits for the borough were completed. He also reported that Duane Dellecker wanted permission from the board to file a civil complaint against a property owner should the need arise. A motion passed and led to a unanimous vote approving permission. The complaint would cost approximately $200 to file.