Susquehanna approves Main St. sidewalk repairs

BY STACI WILSON

Sidewalk repairs in Susquehanna were expected to get underway later this month.

The walks on Main St. – only about 10 years old – are seriously damaged, Councilman Roy Williams said Wednesday, Oct. 8 at the borough council meeting.

Williams storefront owners will receive notification before the work begins. After complete, shop owners will be given a protocol to follow for care of the concrete walks.

He also said the borough may have an ordinance on the books that prohibits the use of rock salt on the new walkways.

“Calcium chloride is the preferred method,” Williams said, noting the ice melt material cost more than rock salt, but was often more effective in lesser quantities.

The sidewalk repair cost is $12,600.

Council President Joe Varsik announced that Williams would be in control of the borough codes enforcement following the September council meeting.

Council also set up a meeting for Monday, Oct. 20, in order to review several borough ordinances.

A demolition of 351 Prospect Street was also approved by council, and the work was awarded to Ken Raugh Excavating at a cost of $15,840. The cost includes the demolition and removal, as well as back-filling and reseeding of the property.

The approval is contingent upon the receiving a report from the mortgage holder on the property. Varsik said it was doubtful that the bank would rehabilitate the property to meet the borough code.

Looking ahead, Varsik asked his fellow council members to consider reducing the number of seats on council from seven to five. “It’s not a quick process,” he said, adding that, if they moved forward with a reduction, each council member would serve the remainder of their terms on the board.

In addition to council, the borough has three boards, each comprised of three members. “To get nine people and to keep the nine people is a chore in itself,” Williams added. “We’re lucky with this board that people always show up.”

Councilman John Hendrickson pointed out the similar sized boroughs (Montrose and Forest City) each had seven council seats.

Councilwoman Kaylin Lindquist said she believed more voices on council were better as that allows for a “wider range of opinions.”

Varsik asked council to give the idea some thought and that they would discuss it again at a future date.
Mayor Nancy Hurley administered the oath of office to Barbara Larsen at the start of the meeting. Larsen will fill the council seat left vacant by the resignation of Roberta Reddon.