Weatherly Borough Council moved on advertising a quality of life ordinance to address issues such as garbage, high weeds, and junk and nuisance vehicles violations faster than current rules regarding property upkeep.

Council discussed the proposed ordinance, which does not replace the property maintenance ordinance.

“In the beginning, it looks complicated, but when you dig into it, it makes a lot of sense,” Mayor Paul Hadzick said. “I think the ordinance will help clean up a lot of things we couldn’t do before.”

Solicitor James Nanovic said the quality of life ordinance allows the code enforcement officer to hand out a ticket for a violation, rather than sending out a notice.

“It’s just a quicker way of citing someone and getting it cleaned up,” he said.

Manager Harold Pudliner pointed out areas that would be changed, such as weeds not exceeding 10 inches would be changed to eight inches in line with the property maintenance ordinance.

He also asked council members if they agreed with the violation listed for not displaying a building permit for work being done on a property, and council members agreed that permits should be displayed.

Fines start at $25 for the first offense in a 12-month period and increase to $50 for second offense, and $100 for third offense, Nanovic said.

After a number of continued violations with no appeal, a citation could be filed with the district judge, he said.

Pudliner noted that the proposed ordinance reads that appeals would go to borough council or its designee, but other ordinances that were reviewed listed a code officials or manager.

Council members thought a committee comprised of three council members could hear appeals, and could be convened quicker than arranging and advertising a special meeting for all of council to hear an appeal, or having someone wait possibly an entire month for a regular council meeting.

They also didn’t agree with appeals to the code official, who issued the ticket for the quality of life violation.

Among the violations listed in the quality of life ordinance are: accumulation of rubbish or garbage, animal maintenance and waste/feces cleanup, improper disposal of rubbish or garbage, high weeds, grass or plants; unregistered, uninspected, inoperative, unlicensed or nuisance vehicles; outside placement of indoor appliances or furniture; snow and ice removal from sidewalks.

Also listed as violations: improper storage of waste or trash containers; storage or discarding of indoor furniture, appliances or other equipment; storage of hazardous materials; maintenance of swimming pools; requiring permits for construction, and permits to be displayed.