The Fountain Hill council is seeking to reorganize the borough’s zoning board. After many gatherings unattended by its five members, council agonizes over the lack of commitment. Citizens have gone to plead cases to the board, spent money on presentations and taken the time for meetings only to be greeted by an empty stack of chairs. At their Sept. 8 meeting council members said they find this unacceptable.

Currently the zoning board operates with five members and council believes lowering it to three and appointing new members will provide the public with a punctual and attentive new board. No motions passed on the matter but action may be taken very soon.

Details about said conflicts, however, are not so easily missed by council; particularly not the fact that most, if not all, applicants for the zoning board are female.

“What if there are only women in these positions?” asked council member Helen Halleman.

Executive Administrator Anthony Branco smoothly replied, “Then it is what it is.”

Halleman expressed that she’d prefer to see men take these roles.

Council member Carolee Gifford said, “That’s sort of sexist, Helen!”

After which council changed subject very swiftly.

On another note, Branco wanted to remind the public that the borough is still in talks with a collection agency for delinquent fees. At this meeting the ordinance to begin collections was tabled but only to perfect the language of the document. An agency will be hired and collections will be taken in the near future.