Columbia Spy

When: Columbia Council meeting, July 11.

What happened: The council voted unanimously to spend up to $26,000 to buy 10 portable radios for borough staff. The radios will be purchased through the same contract being used to buy police radios at a substantial discount.

Background: At the June 13 meeting, council approved a $75,000 purchase of 25 dual-band police radios that, for the first time, would allow Columbia police officers to communicate directly with officers across the Susquehanna River in York County without the need to be patched in, which causes delays. That purchase takes advantage of a discount that shaved $75,000 off the total cost.

Rationale: Borough Manager Mark Stivers said that, after approval of the police radio purchase, officials determined the need to keep radio equipment consistent with the borough’s public works and code compliance departments and emergency management coordinator. This would allow public works crews to talk to York County during joint special events or if the Route 462/Veterans Memorial Bridge would be closed for any reason.

[Source: LNP]  

Supporters of legalizing recreational marijuana use say the introduction of several bills this session in the Legislature hints at progress in their efforts. Still, many legislators from Lancaster County will likely oppose any marijuana-related bills brought to a vote.

One who supports approving adult use of marijuana, state Rep. Izzy Smith-Wade-El, supported reduced penalties for marijuana possession when he served on Lancaster City Council and now hopes to reform marijuana policy statewide.

Republicans Scott Martin and Ryan Aument do not support recreational use.

MORE:

https://lancasteronline.com/news/politics/lancaster-republican-lawmakers-will-likely-reject-recreational-marijuana-proposals-but-a-local-democrat-says-the/article_b7133b9a-20ef-11ee-91bd-77b608a7320c.html

The meeting packet is HERE.

Shortly before 3 p.m. today (7/10/23), Columbia Borough issued a notice that Avenue K is closed and to avoid the area. Here’s why:

Two houses, 154 and 156 South 5th Street (at the corner of Avenue K), were demolished today. The properties were severely damaged in a July 22, 2022 fire.

Only the upper part of the 400 block of Avenue K, from Pleasant Avenue to 5th Street, is closed.

Debris from today’s demolition at 154 and 156 South 5th Street, as seen from the 400 block of Avenue K

The Lancaster County Land Bank Authority plans to have four new rental units built on the site, according to LNP HERE. The Authority will use $500,000 of $2.2 million for Lancaster County from the state’s Housing Trust Fund.

The houses as they appeared two days after the fire

(WTNH) — As the weather gets warmer, wildlife officials are reminding people not to feed waterfowl bread. While pinching off pieces and tossing it out may seem like a good thing to do, it can cause ducks, geese and swans to develop severe or even fatal health problems.
MORE:https://www.wtnh.com/news/connecticut/why-you-should-never-feed-waterfowl-bread/

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission will hold two public hearings by telephone on July 12 to gather input on a 15.5% rate increase requested by Columbia Water Company.

The PUC recently put the rate hike request on hold while it investigates. Columbia Water’s request has been challenged by the state’s Office of Consumer Advocate and Office of Small Business Advocate.

The two hearings are scheduled for July 12. The first hearing will begin at 1 p.m. and the second hearing will begin at 6:30 p.m. PUC Administrative Law judges Mary D. Long and Charece Z. Collins will preside over the hearings.

Columbia Water provides service to approximately 12,154 customers in Lancaster and York counties, including those in Columbia, Mountville, and Marietta boroughs, as well as West Hempfield, Rapho, East Donegal and Manor townships. Columbia Water also provides service to customers in Hellam Township, York County.

Columbia Water said the rate increase – its first in five years – is needed to meet higher energy and material costs, support long-term infrastructure replacement programs and to reflect capital additions the utility put into service since its last base rate increase. The proposed rate increase would bring in about $999,900 in new funding annually, according to the utility.

How to sign up to testify
To testify at one of the telephonic public input hearings, pre-register with Judge Long’s office by 3 p.m. on July 11. Pre-registration can be completed by emailing Nick Miskanic at nmiskanic@pa.gov or by calling 412-565-3550 (leave a message) and providing:

• Your first and last name.
• The time (1 p.m. or 6:30 p.m.) of the hearing at which you wish to testify.
• The telephone number you will be using to call into the hearing.
• A phone number where you can be reached prior to the hearing.
• Email address if you have one.

If you require an interpreter to participate in the hearing, the language of the interpreter.
Individuals will testify in the order in which they pre-register.

Those who do not wish to testify but want to listen can contact Judge Long’s office through the means above to obtain call-in information.

https://lancasteronline.com/business/local_business/public-utility-commission-plans-july-12-public-input-hearing-for-columbia-water-companys-15-5/article_cfcaa57c-16b0-11ee-b9f6-4b50328500e4.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share