Year: 2014

Bus and SUV collide

Emergency personnel responded to a Class 2 accident involving a midsize Ford SUV and an RRTA bus today at about 4:30 p.m. at Lancaster Avenue and Locust.  One person, a passenger in the SUV, was injured and taken by ambulance.
The SUV sustained front end damage, while the bus was relatively unscathed.

More on the Locust Street Park lease

Columbia Borough Council tabled a resolution empowering police to enforce park rules at Locust Street Park, until its November 10 meeting, due to insurance issues.  At its October 27 Meeting of the Whole, council considered Resolution 14-18, a lease agreement with the Old Columbia Public Grounds Company (OCPGC) to give the borough jurisdiction over the park. Park maintenance would continue to be handled by OCPGC. Currently, police cannot legally enforce park rules unless requested by OCPGC but can enforce laws in the Crimes Code.

A motion was made and seconded to accept the resolution, but a spontaneous discussion erupted before the measure could be voted on. Councillor Jim Smith asked why police cited people for offenses there in the past, since the park has always been private property. Borough Manager Sam Sulkosky explained, “Since it’s private property, our police are limited on what they can enforce and what they can’t enforce.”
Smith replied, “They always enforced it.” 
Mayor Leo Lutz said, “The laws have changed. If it’s private property, we cannot cite people,” but added, “We can enforce curfew.”
“If a person who owns a property observes an illegal activity they can call the police and have them cited,” Lutz said.

Lutz also said OCPGC is currently struggling, and if it disbands, ownership of the park will be transferred to the borough, which will then be responsible for maintenance, in addition to enforcement. “It reverts to the borough, same as any cemetery,” Lutz said.

Liability insurance is required under the lease, similar to the agreement the borough has with Columbia River Park. Councillors questioned the need for the borough to carry insurance, since the park is already covered under the OCPGC’s policy. Mary Wickenheiser, a member of the borough planning commission, cited the difference between the borough’s relationship with Columbia River Park and the proposed agreement for Locust Street Park. “The lease of that River Park and the lease of this park are two totally different situations. The lease on the River Park was for the borough to use that property, for the borough to basically have control of that property,” she said.

After a brief discussion, council voted to table the lease until its next meeting so that insurance issues could be investigated

Was it vandalism?

Seen today . . .
 One of the recently planted arborvitae trees at the Visitors Center at Columbia River Park has been pulled out of the soil, revealing the root ball.

 The refractor lens on one of the new bridge lights is broken.
Note the chipped paint and indentations on the top rim.

This is the opposite side of the same light.
It’s located on the Columbia side, above the sidewalk.

Tree Society holds membership drive

Standing, L-R: Bill Kloidt, Tom Mimnall, Amy Evans, Mark Zeamer, Ron Fritz
Seated: Claire Storm

The Columbia Tree Society has begun its annual membership drive for 2015. The society is the fundraising auxiliary for the Columbia Borough Shade Tree Commission. Membership dues enable the shade tree commission to purchase and maintain street trees in the borough.

Over the last 20 years, the Shade Tree Commission planted approximately 770 trees in the community, as well as maintaining street trees, and has received the National Arbor Day Foundation’s “TREE CITY USA” designation for 22 consecutive years.

The Columbia Borough Shade Tree Commission strives to encourage street tree plantings as well as yards, parks, and public places, since trees retain large volumes of rainfall, thereby reducing and cleansing runoff. They also increase property values, reduce air pollution, calm traffic, and lower noise levels. Manageable stormwater runoff results from abundant trees, multi-use catch basins and rain gardens, reduced impervious surfaces, and increased ground vegetation. The benefits are lower costs and a more livable, sustainable environment.

Shaded homes and tree-filled yards make urban life more pleasant and provide practical benefits such as lower heating and air conditioning costs, and increased resale values. The tree canopy is also a major contributor to stormwater runoff reduction.

Dr. Claire F. Storm has been selected by the Shade Tree Commission to be the honorary chairperson for this year’s membership drive. 

Dr. Storm received her doctorate of education in 1992 from Temple University. She received her Masters of Education in 1976 and her Bachelor of Science in 1972, both from Millersville University. She is a 1957 graduate of Lancaster Catholic High School. She has been in public education for 29 years and retired in 2001 from the Manheim Central School District as an elementary school principal.

She is past president of Rivertownes PA USA and is a member of the Columbia River Park focus group, Columbia Economic Development Strategic Planning Committee, and the Mount Bethel Cemetery Board of Directors. She volunteers at the Susquehanna Valley Visitors Center and is active in her church.
She is married to her husband Albert for 56 years, and they have five children, 16 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.

Please consider making a contribution to the Columbia Tree Society. Membership categories are as follows:
Student – $2
Individual – $10
Family – $20
Business – $50
Life – $100

Memorial certificates for deceased loved ones can be purchased for $50 and will be presented at the annual Arbor Day celebration on Friday, April 24, 2015 at Locust Street Park. In case of inclement weather, the event will be held indoors at the Columbia Borough Municipal Building at 308 Locust Street.

Please make checks payable and mailed to:
Columbia Tree Society, PO Box 509, Columbia PA, 17512

A copy of the Shade Tree’s annual report to council can be requested by writing to the same address above. Members of the Columbia Shade Tree Commission are: Bill Kloidt, chairman; Tom Mimnall, secretary; Mark Zeamer, treasurer; Ron Fritz,and Amy Evans.

The Commission partners with the Columbia Park Rangers throughout the year in maintaining street trees and park trees. If interested in participating, please attend the Shade Tree Commission meeting held the second Tuesday of each month, commencing at 6:30 p.m. in the Columbia Borough Municipal Building.

Did we have the first snow of the season Monday in parts of Lancaster County?

Yesterday afternoon, Joe Calhoun said none of the precipitation in the atmosphere would hit the ground. About half an hour later, the precipitation was hitting the ground.
MORE INFO:
http://m.lancasteronline.com/news/local/did-we-have-the-first-snow-of-the-season-monday/article_109b896e-6426-11e4-8861-0017a43b2370.html?mode=jqm