RINGTOWN — Violators who do not use the drop-off recycling containers properly and leave materials outside the bins are being cited by borough police officers.
The Ringtown Borough Council and Mayor Albert Breznik Jr. discussed the dumping and littering problems at Monday’s council meeting. The problems at the site were also raised by Breznik at the March meeting. The recycling bins are provided through the Schuylkill County drop-off recycling program.
“I want to bring up the recycling area,” Breznik said. “There were a couple of instances where it was really out of control. As a property owner over there and not as mayor, I spoke to the people in Pottsville about it and they said turn it over to the police. If there are names found, then it is considered littering and they will stand behind the police.”
Breznik said the borough police have been reacting to the situation.
“The police have made nine arrests for scattering rubbish,” Breznik said.
“They (violators) have been told more than once,” council President Julian Milewski said.
“Zero tolerance,” Breznik said.
During his mayor’s report, Breznik said the recreation committee will hold its annual 5K race on June 18. There will be no parking from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. on West Main Street and North Centre Street.
Zachary Piampi, Ringtown, a member of Ringtown Boy Scouts Troop No. 731, attended the meeting to observe it for his merit badge in communications. Milewski, an employee at The Republican-Herald, welcomed him to the meeting.
Resident Howard Gordon complained about excessive runoff of stormwater and cinders at his property on West Tanner Street.
“We’ve had as much as 12 inches of water inside the building,” Gordon said. “It’s also tearing up the roadway.”
“We will take a look at it and see if it’s something that we need to take care of,” Milewski said. “We’ll turn it over to the streets committee to investigate.”
Several council members spoke of traffic safety on Main Street at the intersection with Centre Street where crashes have occurred due to drivers not observing traffic flow at the three-way intersection.
“The police have been monitoring that area quite often,” Breznik said. “It’s the driver’s responsibility. It is clearly marked and there are no obstructions and no parking problems in that area.
“Maybe we should contact PennDOT and get another sign saying it is a three-way stop,” Milewski said.
“What I suggest is write a letter to PennDOT that there is a concern raised and that it is dangerous situation,” Price said.
In another matter, Milewski said there are a few dogs running loose, explaining that his wife had a problem with someone else’s dog that was loose and jumped at her.
“That is twice that it has happened,” Milewski said. “I think we should have the police talk to the owners. If the dog is in the yard, it’s supposed to be on a leash or restrained somehow.”