Columbia Spy

Sahd Metal Recycling has notified state environmental regulators of its intent to remediate contaminated soil at the former Cycle Den property, according to documents filed with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. 

The site, located at 1115 Lancaster Avenue, was found to contain soil contamination from trimethylbenzenes, a group of chemical compounds. The filing was made under the state’s Land Recycling and Environmental Remediation Standards Act, commonly known as Pennsylvania’s “Act 2” program, which allows property owners to clean up contaminated sites according to standards tied to how the land will be used.

Sahd Metal Recycling has opted to pursue a “site-specific standard” for the cleanup, meaning remediation requirements will be tailored to the particular conditions and intended use of the property. According to the notice, the property is expected to remain non-residential for the foreseeable future.

The Act provides for a 30-day public comment period for site-specific standard remediations. The 30-day period is initiated with the publication of the notice, which was published in LNP/LancasterOnline on July 2, 2026. Until August 1, 2026, Columbia Borough may submit a request to Sahd Metal Recycling to develop and implement a public involvement plan involving the municipality in the development of the remediation and reuse plans for the site. 

Copies of these requests and of any comments should also be submitted to the Department of Environmental Protection at 909 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110.

In 2012, an accidental fire broke out at The Cycle Den when a motorcycle being serviced sparked and ignited leaked fuel. The resulting three-alarm blaze destroyed the building and its vintage inventory, causing an estimated $2.5 million in damages. The business was rebuilt on the same site and reopened in September 2013. In October 2025, The Cycle Den announced its relocation from Columbia to Glen Rock, PA. The store’s contents were auctioned off in December 2025. Sahd Metal Recycling announced their ownership transition of the property at 1115 Lancaster Avenue on June 23, 2026.

https://crimewatch.net/us/pa/lancaster/columbia-boro-pd/10552/post/notice-columbia-borough-police-enforce-fireworks-laws-0?fbclid=Iwb21leASyP5tleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR7JvqG4Ym-RblFY7I58GwxvKDJOy2zpBLRYeCprW3MC7iVjbCe9zQwfm2lN1w_aem_b3lKvXdWGh1ooQ_G8GZOkA

https://crimewatch.net/us/pa/lancaster/columbia-boro-pd/10552/post/columbia-public-library-hydration-station?fbclid=Iwb21leASyPvtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR4ZZ6_3JONXfg5__44bj_kkza5o_c1UmeGOop5PY3o0Em5ef-oPHojj1n6wQA_aem_FfsebvaQZLbDcUJtehzL1w

https://crimewatch.net/us/pa/lancaster/columbia-boro-pd/10552/post/columbia-market-house-will-be-used-cooling-station-wednesday-july-1-2026-through-friday?fbclid=Iwb21leASyPqlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR7h4FtTYHZEh3Gts2bb6q1xav2zegbFeJAyWYuzhOk4Cf1JO7I4xazfY4CFng_aem_MQOWH06pUarrkXrgr7HSWA

Amgad A. Hanna conveyed 13 S. Second St. to Janine Natividad for $210,000.

Jusino Perez Jesus Emmanuel, Perez Jesus Emmanuel Jusino, Nieves Gregoria Perez conveyed 519 N. Second St. to Swarey Daniel E, Swarey Emma K. for $205,000.

Porreca Jonathan N, Porreca Melissa A. conveyed 951 Locust St. to Grim Adam, Grim Bridget Gabrielle for $340,000.

Christensen Cody, Vest Jessyka Sarang, Christensen Bruce Scott conveyed 728 Walnut St. to Odicio Family Living Trust for $241,000.

Schoelkoph Doris A, Schoelkoph Doris K. conveyed 1065 Ridge Ave. to Stephen P. Eck for $310,000.

https://columbiacourier.blogspot.com/?m=1

TODD LASSA | FOR LNP | LANCASTERONLINE

When: Lancaster City Council meeting, June 23. Vice President John Hursh was absent.

What happened: Council voted 6-0 to accept $15 million in interim short-term financing to cover inflated costs of construction for the Susquehanna Large Diameter Transmission Main overhaul — a major project that will replace the water main from the Susquehanna River intake to the Lancaster water treatment plant.

Background: The Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority last December offered $49.29 million in funding for the water pipeline overhaul, but bids received indicate the cost has risen to $67.1 million, according to Daryl Peck, Concord Public Finance principal.

MORE: HERE

Columbia Spy documented Columbia’s involvement in the project HERE.

JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY 

Columbia Borough Council voted 5-2 at its June 23, 2026 meeting to hire Tracey Weaver as the borough’s new finance manager, filling a position that had been vacant for roughly six months. Members Heather Zink and Joanne Geesey were the two “no” votes.

The position also carries human resources responsibilities, including payroll, benefits administration, and personnel matters.

Weaver is currently employed as Township Treasurer/Human Resource Coordinator for Mount Joy Township. According to her application and resume, she has worked in finance, bookkeeping, and HR roles for nearly two decades and has more than two years of municipal finance experience, which the borough’s executive brief notes.

Weaver applied for the Columbia Borough finance manager position on January 30, 2026, and her application notes she had also applied previously, on May 20, 2025. The executive brief states that Weaver was interviewed by the borough manager, assistant borough manager, and the borough’s finance consultant, and that all three agreed to move forward with hiring her. During the meeting, it was noted that councilors and staff also interviewed Weaver separately. 

Councilwoman Geesey raised concerns about whether Weaver meets the qualifications laid out in the borough’s job description for the position. Reading from the document, Geesey said the finance manager role calls for the equivalent of four or more years of post-secondary education at an accredited college or university in accounting or a similar field of study.

Geesey said Weaver does not have any college-level education in accounting, though she noted the two years of municipal experience. She argued that Weaver does not meet the educational requirements specifically outlined in the job description, and questioned the wisdom of paying that salary to a candidate who doesn’t meet those qualifications.

Borough Manager Jack Brommer explained: “She has a very good personality and indicates to us she likes to be busy and she’s a worker, which is what we need here.”

Council vice president Zink added: “And honestly, you hire personality; you can teach skill.”

The executive brief set Weaver’s annual salary at $81,120 per year, contingent on a background check and medical evaluation. However, the salary was increased to $83,200 after Weaver made a counter offer, according to Council President Kauffman. Weaver will also receive training (“onboarding”) from Brown’s, the accounting firm the borough is currently using.

Councilman Ethan Byers commented: “We are under significantly what she could be making in other places if she wanted to.” Byers added that the standard salary for a borough finance manager is $104,000.

The executive brief notes higher costs incurred from paying outside contractors to cover finance work during the vacancy, and states that the borough manager and contractors had been handling finance and HR duties typically assigned to a finance manager.

The backstory

Since 2020, Columbia Borough has experienced a high rate of turnover, going through six different finance managers or interim accounting solutions. The sequence of turnover and personnel in the borough’s finance department includes:

Kyle Watts: Served for two years until his departure in January 2021.

BGA&F Accounting Firm: Handled borough finances in early 2021 after a series of brief interim stints.

Tammy Bennett: Hired in June 2021, she served for three years before resigning in July 2024.

Karen Weiss: Hired in September 2024, she quit abruptly after a short time.

Michelle Jenkins: Hired in November 2024, she was later terminated in May 2025.

Brian Christensen: Hired in August 2025, he tendered his resignation in December 2025.