Two on Milford council object to sewage enforcement training
Milford. Jeff Phillips, Milford Borough’s alternate zoning and code enforcement officer, will become certified to issue permits and conduct inspections. Councilmen Peter Cooney and Andrew Jorgenson voted against.
Milford /
| 27 Jan 2022 | 02:43
George Lutfy and Pete Cooney (Photo by Frances Ruth Harris)
Eileen Smith showed how the opening to the trash receptacle will look (Photo by Frances Ruth Harris)
Dominique Ganska, co-owner of Sip and Serve Mobile Co., asked to sell from their mobile bar during special events in the borough. (Photo by Frances Ruth Harris)
Treasurer Gregory Myer, Councilman Andrew Jorgenson (Photo by Frances Ruth Harris)
Council president Joseph Dooley and vice-president Maria Farrell (Photo by Frances Ruth Harris)
Council members Doug Manion and Dale Thatcher with former council member Adrian Wendell (Photo by Frances Ruth Harris)
Recording secretary Lori DiGeso and borough solicitor Jason Ohliger (Photo by Frances Ruth Harris)
Jeff Phillips, Milford Borough’s alternate zoning and code enforcement officer, will attend a course for sewage enforcement officers in Harrisburg the week of March 27-April 1.
The $2,500 cost includes tuition, exam cost, housing, and meals. Phillips will take the exam immediately following the course. If he leaves the job in the borough before Dec 31, 2023, he will reimburse the borough $2,500.
Councilman Peter Cooney objected to spending the money to train Phillips. What will people do if they needed to address septic repairs between now and the end of March? He said he doesn’t think taxpayers’ money should be used for this.
Dooley said the sewage enforcement officer issues permits and does inspections but doesn’t do the work. The property owner calls the septic company if there’s a problem, and the septic company calls the sewage enforcement officer if the work requires a permit or an inspection.
“The borough isn’t in the septic repair business,” Dooley said.
The proposal to fund Phillips’ training in Harrisburg passed, with Cooney and Councilman Andrew Jorgenson voting no.
This is the first time the borough has paid for sewage enforcement officer schooling. Kiley Associates LLC, an engineering company, does the training and has a sewage enforcement officer on staff.
IN OTHER BOROUGH BUSINESS
Permits: The permit fee schedule for the borough was updated for the first time in 15 years. All fees are listed on the borough’s website.
Treasurer’s report: Only Councilman Cooney voted not to accept the treasurer’s report. “We jumped the gun with EIT (Earned Income Tax) in July,” he said. “We were 97K over without EIT.” Cooney said the money was available, and the borough could have waited until December to pass the EIT.
President pro tem selected: The president pro tem will be Councilman George Lutfy. Cooney tied with Dooley for the longest serving borough council member, but when Dooley asked Cooney if he would accept the position, Cooney said he didn’t want it. Cooney nominated George Lutfy, who was voted in unanimously.
Borough Poet Laureate: Council Cooney wantes to join the subcommittee looking into a possible poet laureate for the borough. George Lutfy declined his spot on the subcommittee so Cooney could join the committee.
Trash receptacles: Four cans will be added, for a total of 12. Elieen Smith presented the design and shape of the containers, which will be half-inch steel with feet (possibly of concrete), black, and in a tree trunk design. The opening slots will be large enough for a pizza box and shaped to deflect rainwater. A key, held by the borough, will gain access for trash removal.
Pocono Fox Trot 5K Run: The Tri-County Parkinson’s group in Honesdale will sponsor an event at the park in Milford on Saturday, June 18, beginning at 7 a.m., with breakdown scheduled for 5 p.m. The borough police will assist with road closures during the event: Broad Street (Route 209/6 North) at Cherry Alley near Milford Borough Municipal parking lot and East Harford Street (Route 209 South) at Kennedy Triangle, near Second Street and entrance to Borough. Amplified sound will be used for announcements only. Food and merchandise will be offered. The Milford Fire Department will be grilling food, as they have done in past years. For information about the event, coall Eric Linde or Susie Atcavage at 570-881-2555 or 570-499-0580.
Milford Presents: Dale Thatcher will replace Andrianne Wendell as committee chair for Milford Presents.
Mobile treats: Dominique Ganska, co-founder and co-owner of Sip and Serve Mobile Co., asked to sell from a vintage mobile bar she and her husband have converted from horse trailer. “We would love nothing more than to be granted permission by the borough council to operate business within the borough of Milford during special events within the borough such as the Milford music festival, the Black Bear film festival and the community tree lighting,” she said. While they serve alcohol for private parties, at special events they would like to offer a hot cocoa bar, a Smores bar, a popcorn and candy bar, and an ice cream bar. They are certified by the state health department, and are fully insured with both general and liquor liability, and licensed to do business in Pennsylvania. They will be inspected every six to twelve months by the state to ensure compliance, Ganska said.
