The July 6 Fountain Hill council meeting covered everything from TV set disposals to police force tasers.

"We can't be known as the dumping place for TV's," said Fountain Hill Mayor Jose Rosado, who seeks to rid the borough of unwanted, abandoned sets.

"We need to pick them up and get them off the curb," he said.

According to council member Anthony Branco, TV sets are considered hazardous waste and cannot simply be thrown into dumpsters. After some investigating on his part, he uncovered a company that would collect unbroken sets for 38 cents a pound. He suggested citizens could take said sets to recycling on their own, or the borough could organize a cleanup day twice a year.

In terms of payment, it could come out of recycling funds or homeowners' pockets. Either way, the council decided to move this discussion to the workshop.

Also tired of general litter, Rosado sought to organize a method of cleaning the trails and walkways of the community. The most popular solution came in the form of community service performed by juvenile delinquents and non-violent offenders. This also has been set aside for further discussion.

After the swearing-in of Officer Steven Fritzinger, promoting his position from part-time to full, it came to council's attention that taser training in the borough has been successful. Since their inclusion some months back, tasers have become effective for the police force.

In regards to the "No Parking" situation on Church Street, Mayor Rosado, the principle of Fountain Hill ES Lisa Lynch and Chief of Police Edward Bachert agreed to make said signs a permanent fixture. Too much congestion on Moravia Street instigated the experimental signage a few months ago. Though complaints resounded in the early weeks, the experiment succeeded in lessening traffic congestion in the area.

Council considers hiring bill collection agency

The brief meeting for the Fountain Hill work session June 17 left one clear message from council member Anthony Branco. According to Branco, the borough is in talks with a collection agency for delinquent sewer and garbage bills. He did not want to surprise the community if the council agreed on a contract resulting in charges sent to those with unpaid fees.

After three years of unpaid delinquent fees, the accumulation threatens the financial health of the community with over 200 debtors. Without incoming funds, the borough would have to raise taxes forcing responsible citizens to pick up the slack of those less active. Unwilling to take that route, council now calls upon an agency to pursue unpaid bills.

October is the potential month in which said contract will be signed.

by Danielle Martin