Council nixes McGinness "Airfield" deal
In a 6-0 vote, Columbia Borough Council voided the agreement of sale with Peggy A. Knoll and James G. McGinness, trustees of the McGinness property at 1020 Manor Street. Council voided the agreement at a special meeting Monday night, because “environmental and/or subsurface conditions of the property are unacceptable to the borough.” At its April 10, 2017 meeting, council voted to consider approval of the sale, pending the outcome of an investigation of the property during a 90-day “due diligence” period.
Councillor Cleon Berntheizel was present via phone at Monday's meeting, and Councillor Fran FitzGerald was absent.
The backstory of the pending sale of the property is HERE:
The backstory of the pending sale of the property is HERE:
Comments
First was the fact that it made no sense to only permit citizen comments at the beginning of the meeting. The borough solicitor answered that saying the decision regarding citizen comments is up to council. I do not recall council accommodating this resident's request.
Often topics come up during the course of meetings and it does seem unfair that residents cannot speak to those issues at some point, after all we are footing the bill.
Second was a question as to whether the borough could legally buy and sell real estate or essentially act as a realtor.
Again the solicitor answered and I did not catch the complete answer, but I think he said that it is legal, with some restrictions on the selling end.
Third and last was what were the actual plans for the airfield property? Residents living nearby wanted to know because obviously it would impact them. The answer seemed to be nothing definite, wide open for opportunities.
Take that money and put it to some good not into the Crossings it set maybe like the downtown in some way.
The house was never finished outside, why is that?