Bath Borough Council's Sept. 2 meeting resulted in a heated exchange between Councilwoman Jennifer George and resident Joe Tavianini.

The discussion related to the borough possibly enacting a rental property ordinance. Such an ordinance has been considered since at least the July meeting. A rental property ordinance would include inspections, fees and higher rental costs.

Tavianini, a landlord and rental property owner for more than 20 years, expressed concern with the proposed fees.

"The council should worry about the ordinances they have and do those right," he said. "We're a small borough. We have to take care of what we have."

He said he is at odds with council and the administration telling him what to do despite his many years of residency in the borough.

"I've been in this borough for over 20 years. I was a kid when I was buying these buildings … and fixing them up, and now you want to slap me across the face, and you're going to come in there, and you're going to show me what's right and what's wrong … when council can't even fix their own place," he said.

Tavianini also referenced a property on Main Street he said was in "shambles."

George said the issue with properties and property owners cannot be resolved overnight.

"We've been working on a solution for that property," she said. "As far as the building that we own, that problem was inherited by this council, and we have worked diligently for the last year and a half trying to make a solution for that property."

Some of the solutions considered include selling the building, taking down the building and swapping properties with the Republican Club.

Councilman Michael Reph asked Tavianini to meet him half way and make sure every renter has safe and up-to-code living conditions.

"Don't do it," Tavianini said.

Borough Manager Tom Petrucci said at this time it would be difficult to determine if council would need to hire more staff to implement a rental property ordinance.

Tavianini said his intent is to make clear the distinction between Bath and Nazareth and its laws and ordinances.

George, however, took issue with Tavianini's suggestion.

"What does that mean, Joe?" George asked. "What does it mean because we don't have a skate park or we don't have a swimming pool? What does that have to do with anything?"

"Because we have a little different clientele," Tavianini responded.

"Oh, so, Bath is below Nazareth?" George asked.

"Listen, I'm done talking to you," Tavianini said. "You should put a camera here and take a picture of the way you talk at meetings."

"You're such a gentleman," George said.

"I know. And you're about as dumb as a door nail," Tavianini said.

Members of the council agreed to continue the discussion of the rental property ordinance and place the matter on the agenda for next month.