Borough moves forward on impaired Locust Street building

208-210 Locust Street

Columbia Borough recently filed a blighted property application with the Lancaster County Housing and Redevelopment Authorities (LCHRA) to place 208-210 Locust Street on a blighted property list. (The building's front wall was deemed in danger of collapse last summer, and steps were taken to secure it.)  The process requires LCHRA to receive certification from the Lancaster County Planning Commission (LCPC). LCPC recently approved moving forward with the certification. The Columbia Borough Planning Commission must also act on the issue, according to Columbia Mayor Leo Lutz.

If the Columbia Borough Planning Commission approves the certification, LCHRA will seek to purchase the property from owners Sam and Cynthia Bigler. If an agreement of sale cannot be reached and the owners do not sell to another entity, the property will be listed as blighted, and LCHRA will sell it to a party who will meet the conditions for redevelopment of the property.

If at any time during the process the owners present a certified plan to remediate the property - with signed engineering drawings and an approved timeline in accordance with the demands of LCHRA - they will be able to do so.

“Remember, it's difficult to take a property," Lutz said. "People who own property do have rights, but the municipality also has rights." 

Two New Painting Classes at the SCCA

Beautiful masterpieces done by Claude Monet and Vincent Van Gogh:  Pick one or all and sign up for a unique painting experience. Have a enjoyable, relaxing time while you enjoy the process of creativity. You will paint on a 16"x20" canvas with acrylic paints and you will be amazed at the masterpiece you create. No prior Art training required.
​BYOB
Go to Eventbrite to view and sign-up.

http://www.eventbrite.com/o/susquehanna-center-for-the-crea…

Mayor proclaims EMS week in Columbia

Mayor Leo Lutz recognized members of the Columbia's Emergency Medical Service Teams at Monday night's Columbia Borough Council meeting with the following proclamation designating "Emergency Medical Service Week":

To designate the week of May 15 through 21, 2016 as "Emergency Medical Services Week"; and whereas emergency medical services is a vital public service; and whereas the members of emergency medical service teams are ready to provide life-saving care to those in need 24 hours a day, seven days a week; and whereas access to quality emergency care dramatically improves the survival and recovery rate of those who experience sudden illness or injury; and whereas the emergency medical services system consists of emergency physicians, emergency nurses, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, firefighters, educators, administrators, police, and others; and whereas the members of emergency medical service teams, whether career or volunteer, engage in thousands of hours of specialized training and continuing education to enhance their life-saving skills; and whereas the Borough of Columbia is fortunate to have several emergency medical service units available to residents and businesses: Columbia Borough Police Department, Susquehanna Valley EMS, Columbia QRS, and Columbia Borough Fire Department; and whereas it is appropriate to recognize the value and the accomplishments of emergency medical service providers by designating Emergency Medical Services Week; now therefore, I, Leo Lutz, mayor of the Borough of Columbia, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in recognition of this event, do hereby proclaim the week of May 15 though 21, 2016 as "Emergency Medical Services Week" with the theme "EMS Strong." I encourage the community to observe this week with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.

Pet Pantry now sponsoring Feral Cat Fridays for Columbia

Every Friday is now Columbia Day at Pet Pantry in Lancaster. The spay/neuter program, designated "Feral Cat Fridays," will continue at a cost of $30 per cat, for ferals only. Appointments are required, and cats must be delivered to the facility. Additional information is shown on the above release.

According to Columbia Borough Councillor Stephanie Weisser, the facility spayed or neutered 21 feral cats on April 30 that were delivered by seven residents. The cats were caught under a trap and release program.

Former police chief denied position on pension board

Joseph F. Greenya

Former Columbia Borough Police Chief Joseph F. Greenya was denied a position on the Police Pension Board by Borough Council at its May 9 meeting. Greenya and the Police Association had submitted a request for Greenya to fill a resident position recently vacated by Bill Kloidt. When presented to council Monday night, the motion was not seconded.

Greenya, who resigned as chief in 2011 after working on the force since 1974, sued Columbia Borough on June 28, 2013 over pension concerns. Greenya alleges that he was being short-changed on his monthly pension payments. According to the Lancaster County Prothonotary's Office, the case is still open.

GONE!

A damaged tree that was leaning against utility wires was cut down today. The Bradford Pear tree had been partially uprooted along the sidewalk near 150 South Fourth Street and created a public safety hazard, as reported yesterday on Columbia Spy. The majority of the job was completed before noon, and the remaining stump was removed mid-afternoon.

Getting up in the world

Things were looking up around town lately. A little over a week ago, a giant crane was used to lift a new air conditioning unit onto the roof of Trinity House Apartments on Mill Street. The lifting operation took over an hour as workmen waited atop the building to place the unit.

Around the same time, workers installed a new utility pole and transformer on the first block of North Third Street, in front of Columbia Kettle Works.  The establishment stayed open during its regular business hours as the work was done over several days.  Flagger Force directed traffic around the work zone.