LCSWMA funding slated for Susquehanna Gateway Heritage Area (SGHA) has decreased by $25,000. (On July 27, council approved SGHA to enter an agreement to manage Columbia Crossing.) Taxpayers are currently paying utilities for the building. SGHA wants an office to be constructed in the building.
All road paving is done for the year. 13 blocks were paved, representing a 30% increase over last year.
New playground equipment will begin to be installed at Rotary Park next week.
Leaf pickup will end on December 11.
$14-15,000 of material (salt and anti-skid mixture) is needed to keep roads salted and safe.
Sewer refunds are done. Bills for delinquent accounts will be sent out.
Council approved a $5,000 donation to CBAA to remodel restrooms at Glatfelter’s Field.
“In-car” laptops for police are $6,000 each and need to be replaced every five years.
New Borough Manager Gregory Sahd becomes “official” on December 14.
Don and Becky Murphy received a Community Revitalization Award for the Susquehanna Center for the Arts, 224 Locust St., Columbia.
Preliminary plans were presented to the Planning Commission at its September meeting for the installation of two large propane tanks near Fourth and Manor Streets.
Three vacancies for 2016: Civil Service (6-year term), Police Pension Board (1-year term), Tree Commission (5-year term).
The Lancaster County Housing and Redevelopment Authority will be taking over the blighted property at 208-210 Locust Street.
Norfolk Southern and PennDOT still have not reached an agreement, further delaying the opening of the Route 441 bypass. Further information has not been made available.
CEDC will sell the fire company building along Front Street. The fire company cannot sell the property, because it belongs to Columbia Borough. By law, the borough cannot donate the property to the fire company. By law, a realtor may not sell the property.
Columbia Spy 
Actually, there is a WGAL video of a person living in the Rapho Township evacuation area. That person stated it was an explosion. Kaitlyn Smith reported it as being propane.
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We should all relax, living here between the pipeline and the propane tanks is perfectly fine.
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The “rewards” are found lining someone's wallet. Talk about the real world to the guy that was severely burned during the accident in Rapho.
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In the summer of 2014, a home in Lower Windsor, York County was leveled by a propane tank explosion. It sent debris 100 yards in all directions. The family was not at home, otherwise there would have been casualties. This home Sat in a rural area on a large lot, yet neighboring homes shook. This tank did not hold anywhere near what these will.
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“FMB” spends many work days near large propane tanks. FMB doesn't live in fear. FMB also is aware of simple statistics and doesn't fall prey to emotion. I just love how so many on this site swoon over someone selling popcorn at the market house as a way of reviving Columbia, yet want to deny another (far larger and contributing) Columbia business from being able to succeed. Double standard much? For the record, FMB has nothing to do with the proposed propane facility or its owners. FMB is just glad to see Columbia businesses thriving. And last I heard, the guy at Rapho is back to work at the same place. Yes Virginia, he is actually aware of the real world, unlike many of the keyboard warriors on this site.–FMB
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Yep. More likely to be killed by heart disease, car accident, or a fall in your own home. But hey, if people want to live in fear, then so be it. -FMB
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Natural gas pipelines, now there is another disaster waiting to happen with the installation of the horrific looking monstrosities all over this borough. One on Union, another on Cherry. The smaller, unsightly ones installed on sidewalks in front of homes are a tripping hazard and detract from any hope of curb appeal. Lots of fire calls for investigation of gas odors.
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Keep adding more “fuel” for a fire, it won't be IF there is an accident, it will be WHEN.
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Some one is putting GAS ON THE FIRE HERE!! Lets not keep doing this Propane site! Huge mistake here!! I would like to know NAMES of who left this being built!!
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This is why nobody decent will ever run for council. Having to put up with the ignorant residents that freak out about everything.
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I think its ashame for the borogh or whoever ok'd this propane site!!
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Now that Susquehanna Gateway has lost some of its funding will we the taxpayer be expected to come to the rescue?
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What will we get for the $20,000 Borough Council gave to CEDC?
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Some residents care about what's going on in this town and aren't afraid to speak up. Others sleepwalk through life, eyes closed to what's going on around them.
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To bad Columbia can't have free parking down town during the Christmas season all of the other towns can do it and don't say it is because of the people who live down town that will park there that is just a excuse real reason might loose alitte money on tickets years ago we had free parking during the Christmas season.
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I clearly recall a council person questioning the tanks just off Blunston Street and the potential for an accident there. This statement was met with an outburst of laughter. I hope they still think it's funny in the aftermath of a serious problem.
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the propane tank HAD TO BE APPROVED BY THE ZONING OFFICER. Duh.
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That was unclear, but it sounds like we are not to be concerned about this either, they know what they're doing!
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The pole barn on Thirteenth Street was also “approved” !
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One Columbia Borough commission states it prefers to maintain “local control” , we need not wonder why.
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A 20# cylinder can do a lot of damage if it blows. Should we ban all gas grills in Columbia? What about residential-sized tanks? Where do we draw the line? Hey, people are more than welcome to move out in the middle of nowhere if they don't want to worry about natural gas lines or propane tanks. And I'm not 'sleepwalking' through life. Quite the contrary, I realize that there is a risk to living in an area convenient with services. What I'm not going to do is live in fear because I'm afraid of some propane tanks, while at the same time lamenting that we can't get tax-paying businesses to come/stay in Columbia. –FMB
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This has to stop!! this town is letting some people do what they want!! How much will be going in the AIR, this Propane fill up?? It should NOT BE BUILT!!!
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The people that moved out in the middle of nowhere are having a pipeline raping their land.
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It should not be built WHY? Because you personally don't like it? Grow up. If we want this town to survive, we need real industry and business. And that includes something more substantial than a popcorn vendor at Market. -FMB
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You keep mentioning the popcorn vendor. Forgive me for asking, but why the obsession?
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The money is for the CEDC to pay their manager.
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Yes, it does seem Scrooge-like.
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Yes, why was that?
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Not obsessing. I just use it as a example of the quintessential small retail business that so many believe will be the key to Columbia success. While it may help, we also need other industrial and non-retail businesses to succeed if we are to survive as a town in the future. You have to admit, many on this site want to ballyhoo the vendors in Market, yet denigrate the other tax-paying (non-retail) businesses that call this boro home. -FMB
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This crying about Judy is crazy .I am not her employee or even get along with Mike but I have to step in here and defend this lady , everyone talks about taxes how much do you think she pays to this borough a year? I am a business owner also and I understand what business owners pay a year in this town.also your other article talks about propane tanks on manor street is this town so stupid or just under educated cause if this town does not welcome the big tax payers that provides the financial means to operate this borough you will be just like the guy that runs this site . Sit around all day and think of bad ideas that don't pay the bills.
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The guy that runs this site is a college educated, full-time employee. He totally supports Judy in her efforts. If you cannot see that the people writing comments do not necessarily represent his opinion, then you need an education. The people have every right to question what is going on with the propane tanks. The guy that runs this site was notified by a concerned citizen about the propane tanks and the citizen asked him to check on the matter. This is a well respected person that wished to remain anonymous, and we can see why. Anyone that questions the actions of this borough is crucified.
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I forgot one thing, “the guy that runs this site” doesn't care if you like his site or not. “LIKES” are for Facebook. This site does not operate for money, advertisers, or likes.
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Big tax payers? A vacant lot with propane tanks is not bringing in as much tax as if a factory was being built there. It's not bringing in lots of jobs either. What it is bringing, is risk.
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Whoa I am just starting read all these comments and I have to say factory . Really …..this borough ran them out years ago. Where were you at ? And taxes yeah this borough needs all the help they can get. Why don't you run Sharon , sounds like your another genius in this town.
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FMB I have read everything that you wrote and you are 100% correct these people are just uneducated about propane . I have it and work beside it everyday. I support the rail terminal and the jobs it will create , and everyone says how many jobs ? If it's 1 or 10 it's better than any other business in our town is doing. I'm a concerned resident and know we been this business here.
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Nothing. We get nothing. Who is involved with cedc anyway Cole?
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I do not qualify by numbers to be genius, however my husband actually does and I have been encouraging him to run for council. At least I am willing to sign my name here and not hide behind anonymous. I do not recall resorting to insults and name calling when someone disagrees with me. Sharon
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I sign a name on here, too. May be my real name, or it may not be. But since we don't know whether Sharon is your name or not (and not like a first name is really revealing) , it doesn't make a difference. I remain, –FMB
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My name is Sharon Lintner, I do not have an alias, nor do I have a problem with my name being attached to my comments.
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Can we close AVE J????
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