John Corello took the podium at Catasauqua Borough Council’s regular meeting July 9 to complain about maintenance on a property at 901 Bridge St. He may have inadvertently pointed out a weakness that opponents of the proposed ticketing ordinance were looking for.

Corello teamed up with his neighbor to report that the long-tenured owners of the Bridge Street property moved to a house they inherited and, after trying to sell, moved a family member into the 901 house. Since the change, the property has not been well-maintained, Corello said.

“How is this new ordinance going to prevent this from happening?” he asked.

Council President Vincent Smith spoke in favor of the ordinance and reiterated previous arguments that supported the need for the legislation.

However, the ticketing ordinance is not designed to handle maintenance problems where the homeowner is not cooperative, Smith conceded after Corello left the meeting.

Borough Manager Stephen Travers did report that public works employees were dispatched to the property to clean it up.

As Travers explained, there needs to be some sort of a comprehensive plan on how to deal with property maintenance so properties do not degenerate into blighted houses dotting the borough.

Councilwoman Jessica Kroope spoke against the ordinance. She indicated early on in the process she had no intention of voting for the measure.

The vote resulted in a 3-3 tie. Smith and Councilwomen Debra Mellish and Christine Weaver voted for the proposed ordinance. Kroope and Councilmen Brian Bartholomew and Eugene Schlegel voted against the measure. Councilman Brian McKittrick was absent.

When there is a tie vote on council, the mayor is allowed to cast the deciding vote. She must voice her vote or call a special meeting of council in five days. Mayor Barbara Schlegel voted against the ordinance.

Weaver, who pushed to include the ticketing ordinance and adjusted the ordinance to accommodate new ideas, was disappointed in the result.

“This was something that municipalities used and is proven to create an awareness for property maintenance,” she said.

The ticketing ordinance is designed to remind residents that they need to clean up their property. A concern among council members was that uncooperative property owners would ignore the rules - with little consequence.

Travers proposed establishing a line item in the next budget to expense property maintenance costs. According to Travers, the program recoups most of the money spent. He recommended the borough have a private contractor responsible for residential maintenance items. The private contractor would take action and charge property owners based on input from designated borough officials.

Travers’ plan includes issuing multiple citations and fines. Council had no response to his suggestion.

Council’s action adds emphasis for a comprehensive plan that addresses the full cycle of action that promotes property maintenance.