Year: 2017

The mayor explains the Lead-Safe Columbia project

Residents have expressed concern about the LEAD-SAFE COLUMBIA project that will be initiated by Healthy Columbia under the fiscal sponsorship of Catholic Health Initiatives-St. Joseph Children’s Health. This is a voluntary program that will offer lead screening and financial assistance if necessary.

Columbia Borough will begin its LEAD-HAZARD Screening program by first ensuring that all Blighted Properties, Vacant Properties, and Condemned Properties, are screened prior to occupancy. The program will expand after educational programs are presented to the public and training of Borough Officials is completed. A time and location will be announced shortly for a community information session.

Lead is dangerous for children, and a community health issue. Many studies have proven that the higher the lead exposure, the lower the standardized test scores in school-age children. Even low levels of lead exposure can result in behavior and learning problems, lower IQ, hyperactivity, slowed growth, hearing problems and anemia, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Leo S. Lutz, Mayor

Lead testing in the Borough to be voluntary; LNP article was misleading

Columbia Borough will not suspend the U.S. Constitution. That’s the message Borough Manager Greg Sahd would like to convey to residents. Due to inaccuracies in a recent LNP article, many mistakenly believe the Borough will force draconian regulations on property owners because of a recently introduced lead paint inspection initiative. Doing so would be a violation of the Constitution’s Fourth Amendment guaranteeing citizens the right to be secure in their houses, Sahd pointed out. He added that bringing properties into such strict compliance could also bankrupt owners. The Borough can’t take any action independent of current federal and state regulations dealing with lead in residences.

The LNP article’s first sentence caused concern for many residents:

“Columbia will begin testing every home and apartment in the borough for lead beginning next week.” 

This statement was repeated in an editorial in today’s LNP. Sahd said that no Borough official made a statement to that effect.

Sahd said such inspections are strictly voluntary. If high levels of lead are found, the Borough will educate owners on options. Certificates of Occupancy will not be withheld.

The project, Lead-Safe Columbia, is an initiative of Health Columbia under the fiscal sponsorship of CHI St. Joseph Children’s Health.

Much needed help for the opioid crisis and testing for lead paint is time well-spent

“We commend borough officials for recognizing a problem and taking steps to solve it — a welcome change of pace for government at any level.”
MORE:

http://lancasteronline.com/opinion/editorials/much-needed-help-for-the-opioid-crisis-and-testing-for/article_0f553d26-a47d-11e7-b175-fb99c97aac81.html

Neighbors react to Columbia looking to amend zoning ordinance for medical marijuana facilities

It’s an opportunity for the borough. Right now, there’s no medical marijuana facilities set to come to Columbia, but officials say it’s about being proactive.

MORE:

http://fox43.com/2017/09/26/neighbors-react-to-columbia-looking-to-amend-zoning-ordinance-for-medical-marijuana-facilities/

Columbia fixes up, cleans up, digs up

Folks took advantage of the warm weather over the past few days to get out and about to fix up, clean up and dig up around town…
There was a JLG on high at 3rd & Locust.

 And a pressure washing project at 4th & Locust.

 And an “Amish” high and dry, aloof on a roof at South 2nd & Cherry.

 There were guys in white looking up ladders on North 3rd.

 Here are some of the bricks that were collected.

And here’s a longer view.
And there’s another JLG.

 And there are the guys taking down the bricks.

Just up the block – yes, another JLG

And there’s the driver.
 And there he goes.

The self-storage project along Front Street appears to be done.

Rewiring was being done yesterday on North 4th.

UGI was digging up the 500 block of Walnut to install new services and redo old mains. Workers will be proceeding to various locations around town shortly for more of the same.

The building at North 2nd & Walnut was being scraped and painted.
And even the giant cow was getting a “makeover”!

Columbia moves to become 1st county municipality to zone for medical marijuana

Columbia Borough is looking to amend its zoning to allow medical marijuana dispensaries and growers or processors in areas zoned “light industrial.”

MORE:

http://lancasteronline.com/insider/columbia-moves-to-become-st-county-municipality-to-zone-for/article_38357c92-a248-11e7-b68d-2f76f897a2d7.html

Columbia has 5 murals – with a big one on the way

Columbia currently boasts five large murals within its borders – one a work in progress – with the promise of a large-scale project on the way that will include community participation.
This painting of Columbia poet and painter Lloyd Mifflin was rendered by Columbia artist Mark Kise on the rear wall of the Foresters building facing, appropriately enough, the Columbia Historic Preservation Society. The mural was completed in 2014.
Many travelers along Route 462 have marveled at this wall-sized mural that Columbians know well. The painting was commissioned by the renowned National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors and was rendered by artist Marion Stephenson. 

This giant mural was painted on the back wall of Our Lady of the Angels Catholic School at Fourth and Cherry.

This mural, composed of thousands of small square tiles, is located on the north wall of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors at Fourth and Poplar. The association’s motto,”Tempus Vitam Regit” (Time Rules Life) is symbolized by the presence of two timepieces; a sundial and a pocket watch.

This work-in-progress at Locust Street Park is being rendered by Joanna Spicer, an art teacher at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic School. When the “wraparound” mural is completed, the five circles shown above will feature the insignia of the five main branches of the armed services of the military: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. The backstory on this project is HERE.

The Eastern Drillers building, shown above, will be the location of a large – and long – mural currently being planned by Philadelphia artist Cesar Viveros. The painting – or rather, paintings – will be rendered on a parachute-like cloth to be permanently installed to the wall. The mural will first be divided into grids (up to 100) within which sections will be traced and which members of the community will be invited to paint. The grids will then be installed to the wall.

The project is expected to be completed sometime in 2018.

Columbia Spy first reported on this project HERE.

Upcoming Public Input Hearings for Columbia Water Company Rate Increase Request

The hearings, by the PUC’s Office of Administrative Law Judge, will be held at the following location and times:

Wednesday, September 27 – 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Marietta Borough Hall
Council Chambers
111 East Market St.
Marietta, PA 17547
MORE:

http://fox43.com/2017/09/25/upcoming-public-input-hearings-for-columbia-water-company-rate-increase-request/