Ralph Chiappetta, Ellwood City borough’s code enforcement officer, addressed yard maintenance issues at council’s agenda meeting on Monday. He urged council to request the state government to enact stronger code laws.
According to Chiappetta, most complaints are grass and trash related and the major issue is dealing with out of state owners. Several borough properties have owners from as far away as Texas, California, or Oregon, and Chiappetta said it is exceedingly difficult to eradicate blight in these properties. The owners often ignore letters and fines and are difficult to contact. He specified one property is up to $17,000 in fines.
As a possible solution, Chiappetta is hoping the state legislature will enact code ordinances with “more teeth.”
Closing Visitor Comments Removed
Council President Judi Dic announced closing visitor comments will no longer be entertained and opening visitor comments will be limited to five minutes by a timer. Borough solicitor Ed Leymarie said the borough ordinance only required opening remarks. Closing visitor remarks were introduced by former president Connie MacDonald in 2016.
Visitors Earla Marshall and Dave McQuade criticized the decision, with Marshall pointing out that other communities give opportunities for visitors to speak at the end of the meeting (including Ellwood City Area School Board).
“It gives the impression you have something to hide,” McQuade said.
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