New Milford faces pets or livestock question

BY STACI WILSON

New Milford Borough Council is attempting to figure out how to differentiate between livestock and pets.
The issue came to light at Thursday night’s meeting after a codes complaint was made that a borough resident had goats and a pig.

The animals are pets, said the owner, with the pot-bellied pig spending his nights sleeping inside on a chair.

After a lengthy and sometimes passionate discussion, council opted to table the matter until they can decide how to proceed and if changes are needed to the existing ordinance.

During public comment, another borough resident brought a number of complaints to council.

She questioned the borough’s enforcement on the former junkyard property, citing uncut grass, and a fence that does not completely obstruct the view of the yard.

She also suggested the borough use money from its “gas rights” to pay for the repairs to the pool.

Council President Ken Carey said the Parks and Recreation Board had a plan in place to renovate the pool area in time for next year’s opening.

The audience member also questioned the length of time and funds spent by the borough on an ongoing court case; the number of borough trucks on the road; and the number of people working on the borough payroll.

Councilman Rick Ainey said court case had been going on for about two years, and he did not have a total cost of the case with him at the meeting.

Council also said the borough only owns one truck and there is one part-time maintenance employee.

After listening to the complaints, Carey said, “You’re being very condescending to the people who volunteer a lot of time for this town. Why don’t you offer us some help? Offer us a hand, not negativity.”

“Whatever,” came the audience member’s reply.

In other business, most council members said they planned to attend the Susquehanna County Township Supervisors’ annual meeting, Oct. 23 at the Montrose Bible Conference.

A resident looking to build a garage on his property is looking for a remedy to the floodplain ordinance.

Although he had never flooded, the property, he said in a letter to council, is now part of the new floodplain designated in the updated FEMA maps.

Councilwoman Teri Gulick said she also has questions on the new flood maps and areas designated as now being in the floodplain.

Council members said they would investigate the matter to see what remedies exist for homeowners.

The borough is giving its support to a new business looking to start up in New Milford.

A former New Milford resident has returned to the area from South Carolina and plans to open a specialty sporting goods store at 467 Main St.

Federal firearms licensing requirements include the support of the local municipality, giving support to the dealer to sell firearms in the municipality.

Council members said they would draft a letter of support to be included with the application. Occupancy and zoning permits for the store have already been issued.

“We always welcome new businesses and new residents,” Ainey said.

Pothole patching is continuing in the borough. Issues with crumbling pavement were reported on Lackawanna Street.

The borough has received one estimate to convert its building to natural gas, more estimates are expected.

Ainey reported that only 40 percent of the commitment letters needed from people wanting to hook up to natural gas have been received.

Without an anchor customer, Leatherstocking said it needed commitments from 160 properties to consider running a line in New Milford.

Some council members said they thought perhaps residents that filled out the “application of interest” and thought it was the commitment to establish service. It is not, council explained. A commitment form must also be submitted.

A fence erected by a property owner near the borough garage is blocking the truck’s exit from the building.

Following an executive session, council authorized the street committee to move forward with alleviating the issue.

The purchase of six new tires for the truck at a cost of $1,200 was approved.

Festivities following the Oct. 25 Parade of Lights will be held in Blue Ridge Park.

Some fencing will also be replaced at the park.

Mayor Scott Smith said that as part of the comprehensive plan the borough is working on, he would like to schedule a town meeting focused on sidewalks.

As the plan takes shape, Smith said there would be other issues to bring before the town as well.
The borough plans to continue its work on the 2015 budget.

Ainey reported the EIT had brought in over $100,000 by Sept. 30.
He said council needed to discuss whether or not they wanted to eliminate property taxes completely.

The Earned Income Tax was adopted in New Milford with council stating the purpose being to alleviate property taxes for the residents.