GIRARDVILLE — There is a new police officer-in-charge in Girardville with the borough council approving a change in positions for two officers at its April 12 meeting.
Mayor Joseph Catizone Jr. presented two requests to the borough council, the first for the resignation of Officer Jody Long as officer-in-charge of the part-time police department. Long’s resignation was only for the OIC position, and he will continue as a patrolman.
The borough council accepted the OIC letter of resignation.
“With Jody willing to stay on, Officer (Matthew) Williams is willing to take on the responsibility of officer-in-charge again,” Catizone said.
After the appointment of Williams, Catizone asked that he be promoted.
“Officer Williams has done a great job for the community, as has Officer Long. I would like to see Officer Williams to be promoted to the rank of lieutenant.”
During the approval vote, Catizone said there is no pay increase for the new rank.
Borough solicitor Christopher Riedlinger reported he filed on the borough’s behalf a petition with the court to lift the tax exemption of a property owned by Richard J. Wagner and Community Church of Truth Inc., as listed on the Schuylkill Parcel Locator. The property is at 0 A St., at the southeast corner of Vine and A streets.
“The hearing on that property is May 8,” Riedlinger said. “The burden of proof, even though we are the petitioning party, is on the taxpayer to establish the right to a continued exemption. He would have to prove he uses the property for a church or religious purpose.”
The Girardville Basketball Association donated $500 to the borough for the use of the gymnasium at the A Street School building for games and tournaments. The borough council expressed its gratitude for the donation.
The council approved the submission of an application to the county demolition program to raze a structure at 124 A St. The borough purchased the property for $1 from the county in 2017.
Krick said ash pickup is back to once a week on Friday. Twice-a-week collection of furnace/stoker ashes will resume in the fall.
Curbside recycling has resumed on the last Tuesday of each month, Krick said. Borough and county residents may also drop off recyclables at the county recycling bins near borough hall.
In other business, the council decided to table a decision on the county tax claim sale of a vacant piece of property at 247 Preston Ave. that is owned by Alex P. Levanovitch, according to the parcel locator. The council wants to review the sale before making a decision before the May 11 deadline set by the county.
During the public portion, resident Edna Labie told the council that Girardville Area Senior Citizens have been offered the donation of a piano to replace the old piano in borough hall, where seniors meet each month. She asked for borough employees to pick up the new piano and deliver it, then take the old piano to a landfill, with the seniors group paying for landfill disposal cost. She said the new piano would be available for use by anyone in the community room. The request was approved.
At the end of the meeting, Vice President Charles Marquardt congratulated borough Fire Chief Frank J. Zangari Jr. for recognition from the National Fire Protection Association for his years of educating the public regarding fire safety and prevention. Zangari is one of 13 Star Scholarship Award recipients. Zangari has been involved in the volunteer fire service for 45 years.
Zangari, president of the Schuylkill County Fire Chiefs Association for 28 years, was selected by the state House of Representatives in November as one of two volunteer fire chiefs appointed to a joint state commission involving fire company and EMS operations. He has served as chairman of the Pennsylvania Fire and Emergency Services Institute’s statewide advisory board for six years.
“Frank has constantly demonstrated a strong commitment to reducing risks to Girardville residents for fire and hazards,” Marquardt said. “He is truly deserving of this award and we’re thrilled to have him attend this year’s (NFPA) conference. At this time on behalf of myself and the borough, I want to congratulate Frank on this award.”
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