Author: SPY

A few quick takeaways from the January 22, 2019 Columbia Borough Council Meeting

Columbia Borough Council at the January 22, 2019 meeting

Over a hundred people attended Tuesday night’s regular borough council meeting, the second such meeting this month. The meeting began with two presentations – one, an annual report of the Columbia Borough Fire Department from Fire Chief Doug Kemmerly; and the other, Susquehanna Heritage’s annual report from Mark Platts and Hope Byers.

Council president Kelly Murphy acknowledged receipt of the letter from an attorney for the law firm Stock and Leader requesting clarification from the borough solicitor about the borough’s Revolving Loan Program. Murphy explained that the issue is currently being reviewed by the borough solicitor. (No solicitor has been present for at least the last two regular council meetings.)

It was announced that Georgianna Schreck is retiring from the borough. Schreck was recently promoted to assistant borough manager from the position of finance manager. Borough manager Rebecca Denlinger will take over as the borough’s open records officer. Schreck formerly served in that capacity.

Several citizens commented publicly – pro and con – on the Revolving Loan Fund, tax hike, etc.

Resident Frank Doutrich asked council about a meeting that occurred this past Monday night at Councilman Cleon Berntheizel’s Second Street Cafe Garth. Councillors appeared initially stunned by the question until Berntheizel claimed the meeting was for the Republican committee. Columbia Spy has learned that the meeting included Mayor Lutz and his wife, council president Kelly Murphy, councilman Berntheizel and local developer Don Murphy, among others.

Council spent an hour attempting to hammer out the details of a lease agreement with Dennis Farina of K.T. Graham for the former Columbia Number One Firehouse at 137 South Front Street. Problems include questions about the building’s tax assessment and the fact that the borough does not own the adjacent parking lot. K.T. Graham is a distributor of cranes and forklifts.

Mayor Leo Lutz attempted to push back on the details of the Heritage Drive fence that Columbia Spy reported on HERE. Resident Frank Doutrich objected to Lutz’s statements and told him he is “all wet.” Lutz said his information came from Norfolk Southern’s head office, “not someone on a gang.” [NOTE: In response to a previous request from Columbia Spy, Norfolk Southern spokesman Jonathan Glass had informed Columbia Spy of details of the fence project in an email.] Columbia Spy stands by its reporting on the fence issue.

Councilman Berntheizel did not mention or offer a public apology for his recent late-night, profanity-laced rantings on Facebook towards constituents. No other councillors brought up the subject, nor did the borough manager.

TO BE CONTINUED…

Columbia's Revolving Loan Fund faces possible legal challenge, attorney requests information from borough solicitor

Columbia Spy received a copy of the letter shown above that was sent to Columbia Borough’s solicitor from an attorney for the law firm Stock and Leader requesting clarification on the borough’s controversial Revolving Loan Fund. The letter questions the statutory authority of the borough in establishing the loan program with taxpayer revenue. The letter also suggests a legal challenge may be in the offing. Borough council is likely to discuss the issue at tonight’s regular borough council meeting at 7 p.m. at the District Administration Center, 200 North 5th Street.

Council expects a crowd, moves Tuesday night's meeting to DAC

Tuesday night’s borough council meeting will be held at the District Administration Center (shown above) at 7 p.m.

According to the borough calendar, there is only one meeting scheduled for this week: the regular borough council meeting on Tuesday, January 22, 2019 at 7 p.m.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the expected high number of residents attending the meeting, the location has been moved to the District Administration Center, 200 North 5th Street, Columbia.

CBFD gets brand new fire police vehicle

CBFD’s new vehicle – a 2019 Ford F-450 truck
Columbia Spy recently got an up-close look at the new fire police vehicle that was picked up and driven home from Georgia by members of the Columbia Borough Fire Department last week. The vehicle, a 2019 Ford F-450 truck, was built by Fouts Brothers of Atlanta and boasts a 6.7 liter diesel engine and four-door crew cab. Although it’s a basic model – with crank windows and push button locks – it has a few necessary extras: a reader board, artificial lighting units that can illuminate entire intersections, and storage compartments for helmets, vests, safety cones, and other equipment. In addition, the cab contains a dashcam that records the road ahead as well as the vehicle driver.
Last April, Columbia Borough Council approved $99,207 for the vehicle, in a 6-1 vote. The fire department provided about $20,000 for the added safety equipment.
Once around the new truck

About Town 1/20/19

This week’s photos from around Columbia…
(Click/tap on photos for larger, clearer images.)
Friendly forklift driver
 Lost spare

 Someone should have kept it “STOPED” under the floor like the label says.

Milkweed with gossamer strands

 Separation anxiety

 The Good Book – with redactions
 Vandalism at South 3rd and Avenue I

 Drive carefully

Interview on the front porch

 Gang of little pillars, small but mighty

 What’s happening here?

 Permit for the above

 7 years bad luck

Pointy arch

 Tissue, please

 Open lock box

 Shiny icicles

 Out at Dollar General

 Hangin’ out

 Rail car instructions

 Parking lot at the bottom of Locust – now with 48-hour parking

Vines starting to trespass.

 Comfort car

 That’s not going to work too well.

This branch of Union Community Bank is gone for good…

 Rock on

Winter evening

 Patriotic rooster

 Up for auction soon

Orange and lemon raincoat

 High, but not mighty
[Submitted photo]

Some people can park wherever they want.
Rank has its privileges.
(And privilege has its rankness.)
[Submitted photo]
 Do not look for welcome here.

 Enter if you dare.

 On the bridge
 Columbia skyline

In the valley of one-headed men, the two-headed man is king.

St. Paul Church defies council decision on LED sign

This large LED sign was recently mounted on the front of St. Paul Episcopal Church on the 300 block of Locust Street.

Churchgoers at St. Paul Episcopal will soon be able to see the light – but maybe not the way they thought they would. A large LED-lighted sign, which the church has owned for about two years, was recently installed – or more specifically, re-installed – at the church on the 300 block of Locust Street. 
The sign was originally installed on a metal stand in October 2017, even though Columbia Borough Council had voted in July 2016 not to allow the installation. (Council members Kelly Murphy and Cleon Berntheizel recused themselves from the vote, because they are members of the church.) Shortly after Columbia Spy posted THIS ARTICLE , the sign was removed – and later the supporting frame as well. An existing wooden frame remains in place for posting announcements. 

Sometime this past week, the LED sign resurfaced, this time mounted to the historic stone and mortar of the church’s front face, using metal support strips secured by a series of large bolts.

According to a July 25, 2016 LNP news article, Columbia Borough Council denied the church permission to install an LED sign:

“Council denied a proposed LED-lighted sign at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 340 Locust St. Glenn Shaeffer, Historic Architectural Review Board chairman, asked that council create an amendment not allowing this type of sign in the future.

“There are no other signs like this in the historic district and allowing it would open the door for others and have an impact on the historic nature of the district,” Shaeffer said. “The historic district should not look like the Las Vegas strip.”

Council members Kelly Murphy and Cle Berntheizel removed themselves from the vote because they are members of the church.”


 July 11, 2016 council meeting minutes regarding the 5-0 vote to deny St. Paul Church’s sign request.

 HARB Chairman Glenn Schaeffer’s comments to council during the meeting. 

Council President Kelly Murphy’s recusal 

Councilman Cleon Berntheizel’s recusal


Updated Snow Emergency information from the Columbia Borough Manager

A significant winter storm is expected this weekend. We want to inform Columbia residents that the Borough is watching the developing weather conditions and will communicate if and when an official Snow Emergency declaration will take place. The declaration will be posted on the borough website and announced via email and on WGAL.

During a Snow Emergency, no vehicle may operate or park on a designated Snow Emergency Route. For your convenience, we have listed the routes below.

Safety is our number one priority and we appreciate your cooperation and patience.

Columbia Borough Snow Emergency Routes:

Chestnut Street (North Second to North Ninth Street)

Lancaster Avenue (Locust to Malleable Road)

Locust Street (Front to Ninth Street)

Ninth Street (Ironville Pike to Lancaster Avenue)

North Fifth Street (Chestnut to Locust Street)

North Third Street (Locust to Cedar Street)