New borough Christmas lights were the topic at the Community Development meeting December 15, 2016.
Cleon Berntheizel presented information regarding the lights and pricing. He said that the 36 snowflake lights the borough already owns cannot be supported by the newer light posts. Berntheizel presented sale prices that will expire on the last day of February 2017. The cost to purchase 37 new snowflake lights is listed at $9,693.00 with shipping to be added.
Rather than keep the old lights in storage, Berntheizel suggested placing them on business buildings such as the market house or Hinkle’s Pharmacy. Mayor Lutz said that not all businesses may want to put holes in their buildings in order to display the snowflake lights. He also mentioned that a box would need to be installed for electricity to operate the lights. This was followed by some discussion about the cost of the borough’s annual electric bill.
Mayor Lutz did express interest in having some of the lights at River Park.
The new snowflake light purchase will go to full council at the January 9 meeting.
The trolley purchase was also brought up, albeit briefly. Greg Sahd said that it will not be ready for purchase until January 2, 2017. However he would like the borough to be able to take possession of it before the end of this year and have it included in the 2016 budget.
There are decals that have to be removed prior to purchase. Greg Sahd suggested that Cleon Bernthiezel get in touch with Elite Coach to see if possession could possibly take place sooner.
Rebecca Denlinger was not present. Councillors Cleon Berntheizel, John Novak and Sherry Welsh were present along with Greg Sahd and Mayor Leo Lutz.
Columbia Spy 
Every time we have a snow event some believe the roads should be completely clear and pristine…the concept is for the roads to be passable. Roads were certainly passable.
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Stay HOME!
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If the streets were so great in town why was the bus having trouble getting down the streets
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Let us taxpayers worry about tree grates that consume Columbia Borough workers time compared to scraping the street down to asphalt. Columbia should have at least one on call employee ready at all times to care for snow plowing. We pay for these services and are always under the gun to shovel our sidewalks. Would not like to get a quick ticket.
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Streets were hazardous. Don't know where you people think not. Was that way till late sun morning. They should have been plowed by Saturday afternoon.
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Maybe the bus needs to train their drivers better for foul weather. Seems a bus would have trouble going up a street versus down a street.The streets melted and were passable as long as you slowed down and drove according to the conditions.
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That is why the new trolley should have a plow and spreader. Make money and provide a service.
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The roads here are not passable without snow let alone with it. Drive Walnut Street and see for yourself. After that drive on Ironville Pike.
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Stay home????? The taxpayers are being told to stay home because the borough decides not to plow. Now the borough gets to dictate whether residents should travel throughout the town. This keeps getting worse.
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Was not a Boro comment,, the streets were passable if you took care.
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