Columbia's secret boat ramp is open to the public

Everyone knows about the public boat ramp at Columbia River Park, but there's another boat ramp - less well known - that's also open to the public. Anyone wishing to use it simply needs to follow Union Street past the intersection with Front Street, then across the railroad tracks and towards the river.

The ramp is a bit unkempt but paved well enough to allow a vehicle and trailer access to the river. According to a representative of the borough's highway department, this lower section of Union Street is public, as is access to the river via the ramp. Potential confusion is created by two PRIVATE PROPERTY signs standing on both sides of the road, several yards past the railroad tracks. The signs, which designate property owners' private tracts may have been strategically placed to discourage traffic on this block of Union - and to the river.

Columbia Spy has also been informed that, under federal law, access to the shoreline is a public right. In other words, you may walk along it, despite property lines, where physically possible. Rivers are subject to federal navigational servitude, including federal navigational easement, as explained HERE and HERE.

The orange line on the map above shows the lower portion of Union Street, including "below" the railroad tracks, as well as the public access to the boat ramp.

Shown above is the lower section of Union Street leading to the river. PRIVATE PROPERTY signs stand on both sides of the road, shown on the extreme right and left edges of the photo.

Here's a closer look at the sign on the left side.

Shown here are potholes further along on this section of Union Street that were filled by borough workers last week.

Further down Union is this stop sign at an inclined section of road leading to the boat ramp.

The boat ramp is in the foreground here. This photo was taken from the shoreline, facing back up towards Union Street.

Here's a view not everyone gets to enjoy. This photo was taken from the boat ramp.

 Last Tuesday, borough workers filled potholes on this section of Union Street.

This small project is a proper use of taxpayer funds, since this section of Union Street is public.

A "side" note:  This driveway, which runs perpendicular to Union Street, and leads roughly southeast, is designated PRIVATE. It terminates at the grounds of the Lancaster Water Company, but there is a private cottage at the side of the road (about in the center of this photo).  It's unclear at this point who owns the road, and whether it is truly private.

Wanted: Citizen scientists with cameras to document PA's animals

The Pennsylvania Game Commission and the Pennsylvania Biological Survey have just launched the Pennsylvania Mammal Atlas website.

The agency hopes citizen-scientists in Lancaster and every other Pennsylvania county will answer the call to send in photographs of the 64 mammal species in the state they come across. Dead or alive.

MORE:
http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/wanted-citizen-scientists-with-cameras-to-document-pennsylvania-s-animals/article_309e3320-8efe-11e5-ace3-43b4d8a0e337.html

Who is the mystery woman?

(The following information was provided by Heather Lynn Drescher.)

On May 5, 2005, Heather Lynn Drescher was driving her minivan near the intersection of Fifth and Maple Streets when it was struck by another vehicle. The impact caused the van to roll downhill towards the clock tower at the NAWCC museum until it came to rest on its roof.

A stranger then crawled into the back of the vehicle, rescuing Ms. Drescher's 18-month-old son and handing him to her.  After making sure everyone was all right, the mystery woman left the scene, explaining that she needed to get to work.

Ms. Drescher has been looking for this woman for 10 years. If anyone knows her identity, contact Heather Lynn Drescher via her Facebook page.

Takeaways from Monday's Meeting of the Whole

Items from Columbia Borough Council Meeting of the Whole, Monday, November 23, 2015:

Judy McKonly is willing to fund the construction of an animal rescue facility on a one-acre parcel of the borough farm. Council is currently awaiting a proposal plan for the facility.

LCSWMA funding slated for Susquehanna Gateway Heritage Area (SGHA) has decreased by $25,000.  (On July 27, council approved SGHA to enter an agreement to manage Columbia Crossing.) Taxpayers are currently paying utilities for the building. SGHA wants an office to be constructed in the building.

All road paving is done for the year. 13 blocks were paved, representing a 30% increase over last year.

New playground equipment will begin to be installed at Rotary Park next week.

Leaf pickup will end on December 11.

$14-15,000 of material (salt and anti-skid mixture) is needed to keep roads salted and safe.

Sewer refunds are done.  Bills for delinquent accounts will be sent out.

Council approved a $5,000 donation to CBAA to remodel restrooms at Glatfelter's Field.

"In-car" laptops for police are $6,000 each and need to be replaced every five years.

New Borough Manager Gregory Sahd becomes "official" on December 14.

Don and Becky Murphy received a Community Revitalization Award for the Susquehanna Center for the Arts, 224 Locust St., Columbia.

Preliminary plans were presented to the Planning Commission at its September meeting for the installation of two large propane tanks near Fourth and Manor Streets.

Three vacancies for 2016: Civil Service (6-year term), Police Pension Board (1-year term), Tree Commission (5-year term).

The Lancaster County Housing and Redevelopment Authority will be taking over the blighted property at 208-210 Locust Street.

Norfolk Southern and PennDOT still have not reached an agreement, further delaying the opening of the Route 441 bypass. Further information has not been made available.

CEDC will sell the fire company building along Front Street.  The fire company cannot sell the property, because it belongs to Columbia Borough. By law, the borough cannot donate the property to the fire company. By law, a realtor may not sell the property.

LASA work continues in Columbia

LASA crews will continue cleaning and televising sewer mains to assess pipe conditions and update mapping in Columbia Borough. They will also be locating, uncovering and inspecting manholes. Please direct questions to Maintenance Supervisor John Vilga 299-4843 ext 5819 or Maintenance Director Albert Knepp 299-4843 ext 5831.

Go HERE for more information.

Council nixes tax reduction

Columbia Borough Council voted 4-3 Monday night to keep the current property tax rate at eight mills. Council had previously discussed the possibility of a reduction of a quarter of a mill, to 7.75. A quarter of a mill costs the average homeowner about $25 a year, but generates $85,000 for the borough.

Meeting of the Whole tonight at 6

Columbia Borough Council will hold its Meeting of the Whole tonight at 6 at Borough Hall, 308 Locust Street. Citizens are urged to attend.