Council Addresses Nuisance Issues
By ANNE HOLLIDAY
WESB/WBRR News Director
Nuisances that can generate health problems were a hot topic at Tuesday's Bradford City Council meeting.
Vista Circle residents Brad and Sally Mangel attended the meeting to talk about the city's open burning ordinance, while council passed on first reading an ordinance regarding cleaning up after pets.
Brad Mangel told council that his neighbors have a patio burner that blows smoke into their windows and, after talking with the neighbors about it, they haven't been able to come to a resolution on the matter.
Sally Mangel said the neighbor now thinks they're picking on her when they talk about the burner.
"We have to keep our windows down," Mangel said. "Why should we have to be a victim of it?"
The Mangels had also spoken with Bradford City Fire Chief Boo Coder and former Chief Bill McCormack.
Coder agreed that the ordinance regarding open burning in the city is "pretty vague" and can be troublesome to enforce.
But, he told the Mangels, "if (the patio burner) puts smoke in your house, it's illegal."
Coder also told them to call the fire department next time the problem arises, and he'll tell the neighbor to put out the fire.
City Clerk John Peterson said maybe if they're cited a couple of times they would get the message.
"If you're infringing on someone's clean air," Coder said, "you should be cited."
Mayor Tom Riel added, "You'd think there'd be a certain amount of common courtesy."
"If there was," Coder said, "we'd never have a problem."
Also during Tuesday's meeting, council approved on first reading an amendment to an ordinance that would make it illegal for anyone to walk a dog without a suitable container, or other suitable instrument, to remove and dispose of dog feces.
The ordinance covers walking a dog on city property as well as private property.
Late last month, posters on the Talk About Bradford forum started discussing the problem, concentrating on Congress Street.
At that time, Riel said the city was working on the ordinance. It must be passed on second reading at the next council meeting before it goes into effect.
In other matters, Riel mentioned that the Main Street Manager position will now be part time. The issue came up during a discussion of the façade improvement program.
Dr. Brian MacNamara expressed concern about restricting the applications of property owners.
Debbie Huston of the Office of Economic and Community Development said the city must follow the rules set by the state DCED.
Riel added "council has to find a way to spread out the money to as many people as possible."
Also Tuesday, Ruth Ann Sauber expressed her concerns about the Bradford Housing Authority.
"The behavior and conduct of people you appoint is a reflection on the mayor and council," she said.
She said a current board member referred to tenants as "lowly and slovenly," and added that the authority is attempting to move elderly and disabled people out of the High Rise and move families in.
"Leaving a society which views the disabled and elderly as disposable, puts you on a very dangerous edge," she said.
Riel said he is not aware of plans to change the type of tenants who live there.
In other matters, council authorized the American Cancer Society to "Paint the Town Purple" in recognition of the 14th annual Relay for Life.
The cancer society will place a purple stripe down Main Street, tie purple ribbons around parking meters and pear trees, and place a large "HOPE" sign in Veterans Square.
Relay for Life is June 20 and 21 in Callahan Park.
Council also approved a payment of $5,811 to M&M Uniforms for new police uniforms.
Riel told Police Chief Mike Close they look good and he has received positive comments from residents as well as police officers about the uniforms.
"And they're cheaper, too," Riel added.
WESB/WBRR News Director
Nuisances that can generate health problems were a hot topic at Tuesday's Bradford City Council meeting.
Vista Circle residents Brad and Sally Mangel attended the meeting to talk about the city's open burning ordinance, while council passed on first reading an ordinance regarding cleaning up after pets.
Brad Mangel told council that his neighbors have a patio burner that blows smoke into their windows and, after talking with the neighbors about it, they haven't been able to come to a resolution on the matter.
Sally Mangel said the neighbor now thinks they're picking on her when they talk about the burner.
"We have to keep our windows down," Mangel said. "Why should we have to be a victim of it?"
The Mangels had also spoken with Bradford City Fire Chief Boo Coder and former Chief Bill McCormack.
Coder agreed that the ordinance regarding open burning in the city is "pretty vague" and can be troublesome to enforce.
But, he told the Mangels, "if (the patio burner) puts smoke in your house, it's illegal."
Coder also told them to call the fire department next time the problem arises, and he'll tell the neighbor to put out the fire.
City Clerk John Peterson said maybe if they're cited a couple of times they would get the message.
"If you're infringing on someone's clean air," Coder said, "you should be cited."
Mayor Tom Riel added, "You'd think there'd be a certain amount of common courtesy."
"If there was," Coder said, "we'd never have a problem."
Also during Tuesday's meeting, council approved on first reading an amendment to an ordinance that would make it illegal for anyone to walk a dog without a suitable container, or other suitable instrument, to remove and dispose of dog feces.
The ordinance covers walking a dog on city property as well as private property.
Late last month, posters on the Talk About Bradford forum started discussing the problem, concentrating on Congress Street.
At that time, Riel said the city was working on the ordinance. It must be passed on second reading at the next council meeting before it goes into effect.
In other matters, Riel mentioned that the Main Street Manager position will now be part time. The issue came up during a discussion of the façade improvement program.
Dr. Brian MacNamara expressed concern about restricting the applications of property owners.
Debbie Huston of the Office of Economic and Community Development said the city must follow the rules set by the state DCED.
Riel added "council has to find a way to spread out the money to as many people as possible."
Also Tuesday, Ruth Ann Sauber expressed her concerns about the Bradford Housing Authority.
"The behavior and conduct of people you appoint is a reflection on the mayor and council," she said.
She said a current board member referred to tenants as "lowly and slovenly," and added that the authority is attempting to move elderly and disabled people out of the High Rise and move families in.
"Leaving a society which views the disabled and elderly as disposable, puts you on a very dangerous edge," she said.
Riel said he is not aware of plans to change the type of tenants who live there.
In other matters, council authorized the American Cancer Society to "Paint the Town Purple" in recognition of the 14th annual Relay for Life.
The cancer society will place a purple stripe down Main Street, tie purple ribbons around parking meters and pear trees, and place a large "HOPE" sign in Veterans Square.
Relay for Life is June 20 and 21 in Callahan Park.
Council also approved a payment of $5,811 to M&M Uniforms for new police uniforms.
Riel told Police Chief Mike Close they look good and he has received positive comments from residents as well as police officers about the uniforms.
"And they're cheaper, too," Riel added.
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