Thursday February 11, 2010
About 25 members of the public visited the February 8 meeting of Canton Borough Council to express opinions on the new house numbers established through the county's 911 readdressing. Most of the speakers objected to the change, and asked Council to reconsider the matter and return to the traditional house numbers.
After the public and Council discussed the issue for about an hour and twenty minutes, Mr. Robertson thanked the visitors for coming to the meeting and said Council would take the matter under advisement. He added, "I appreciate everyone's fervor and everyone's passion. I pray you will come forward when we have other issues. There are some bigger fish to fry than house numberings and I really wish I could see that kind of response. We need a four-way stop sign [at the intersection of Union and Center Streets]…someone is going to get killed, but PennDOT says we don't have enough accidents to warrant [a sign]…I would like to see this kind of tunrout for something like that."
Nancy Arias agreed that was an important issue but replied, "We have a right to [protest the new addresses] as well."
Present were Council President Ken Robertson and Councilors Alfonse Ciaccio, Roger Tracey, Jason Robertson, Sheila Riggs and Kurt Bastion.
Other Borough officials present were Mayor John Vineski, Administrator Amy Seeley, Police Chief Doug Seeley, Street Employee George Jennings, Solicitor Matthew Brann.
Mr. Bastion took the Oath of Office from Mayor John Vineski.
County Commissioner Doug McLinko was the first of the visitors to speak. He distributed some handouts relating to the County 911 readdressing, and said that the Commissioners had not "forced anything down anyone's throat" and explained that the readdressing was part of an effort to enhance public safety through quicker responses to emergency calls. He said that the new system would be very beneficial for folks in rural areas, and also would fix some problems in Boroughs as well. These include: In many areas Boroughs ran out of whole numbers for addresses, and the fractional (such as 14 1/2) addresses do not show up on the 911 screens; nor do mixed letters and numbers, such as 10A.
Because house numbers are available every 10.56 feet, the new system will provide ample room for expansion.
The Post Office has accepted the new system for mail delivery.
The County began planning for the 911 readdressing as early as 1992, and passed its readdressing and road naming resolution in 2001.
Between 2003 and 2004 all municipalities signed on to the project through ordinances. Sylvania Borough, South Creek and Ridgebury Townships were addressed at that time and Athens Township was addressed in 2005.
The Commissioners hired MSAG Data Consultants in 2006. MSAG gathered the necessary background information between 2006 and 2009, The addresses were delivered to Region I (Canton Borough, Canton Township, Alba Borough, LeRoy Township and Armenia Township) in January of 2010.
He explained that addresses are assigned at the rate of 1000 per mile. For instance, an address with the number "1000" would be one mile from the beginning of the road; a "500" address would be a half-mile and "250" would be a quarter mile from the beginning of the road.
Several members of the audience asked questions, which Mr. McLinko, Mr. Robertson, Mrs. Seeley and Fire Chief Kim Jennings answered.
Tom Schrader asked if all businesses received new addresses. Some, such as Big John's Pizzeria, did not. This was because their existing number was, by coincidence, identical to the new 911 address (for instance, "26 Troy Street" would be about 260 feet from the beginning of the street.)
Mr. Ken Robertson said that when Council voted to participate in the readdressing in 2007, "It was a unanimous vote to do this for the welfare of the people."
Bob Crandall spoke in behalf of the new numbers, telling the audience that his own experience when he lived in New York State as well as on West Union Street shows the value of standardized addresses for emergency responses.
Tom Ambruch asked if the existing addresses come up on display at the 911. When Mr. Jennings answered that they did, Mr. Ambruch then asked, "So why do we need the new addresses?" He added that it was "not cost-effective to change the addresses in the Borough."
Resident Wilson Knecht spoke in favor of the readdressing, saying, "We must consider the future, This allows for expansion." Bob Crandall, who is on the Borough Zoning Board, also said that the new system allows for expansion.
Brian Greenough of the Committee to Stop Readdressing was the next to speak. He said that the Committee appreciated the work of Council. "You're sitting in those chairs because you care about our town. We also care about our town. That's one reason we are gathered here this evening. Another reason us because the residents…were surprised and upset at receiving change of address notices for homes and businesses located on streets that were not renamed."
He continued by saying that the committee saw "common sense" in readdressing in areas with rural route addresses, "But it appears a few people in our borough and county have also adopted the philosophy that communities with existing street numbers should be renumbered to comply with some sort of Orwellian 'one size fits all' plan That is what we are taking issue with."
He said that the renumbering of existing street addresses is not a goal of the county policy.
He noted instances where the new address conflicts with Act 78 and stated, "My suggestion to the county is…leave the boroughs with existing street numbers alone and focus your resources on numbering the townships correctly.
He disagreed with the argument that the renumbered addresses would assist ambulance drivers who are unfamiliar with the Borough. "I have no doubt that an ambulance driver racing through the streets on an emergency call would be watching the road and not the odometer, so it doesn't matter how many addresses per mile."
He also disagreed that the new addresses would assist with GPS systems. "GPS already works here...they're still going to get there and they are still going to look at the house number to make sure they have the right address."
He also disagreed with the fear that the Borough could be sued if it rejects the system and an emergency response is delayed due to confusion over the address. "That's a ridiculous argument," he said. "Our responders have been accustomed to the current system for their entire careers."
He said with renumbering, historical points of reference would be lost, and that could lead to confusion, errors and delays, perhaps inviting lawsuits. "I find it more likely to have a lawsuit because of renumbering, not less likely."
He also disagreed that if the Borough reverses its decision it would have to return $8,000 to the county to cover the cost of the new street signs; but if even that proved to be the case, he said that if renumbering stands in Canton, borough residents are going to be collectively paying lot more than $8,000 to change their addresses.
Mr. Greenough said that the committee had been circulating petitions and had 195 signatures thus far. "One of the things we heard from people was that they knew about the street naming issue a few years ago, but had no idea the borough or county wanted to renumber everyone in town."
He closed by saying "The people are speaking and what they are saying is 'We do not want renumbering in Canton.' We hope you are listening. Thank you."
Mr. Robertson said that residents at the relevant Council meetings where the Ordinances were passed said, "I knew we would get new numbers, but don't change the street names."
Mrs. Seeley read letters from Ollie Randall opposing renumbering and from Connie Chilson in favor of the new addresses.
Janice Bird said that she was "not confident that the renumbering was advertised so we could know about it and express our opinion. We should have had a voice, no matter how we felt about it." She urged Council to "table the renumbering, let it be advertised and let us have our opinions. We respectfully request that you allow residents to have a voice."
Mr. Robertson noted on other contentious issues such as outdoor burners and jake-brakes, "People picked up on issues" and contacted the Borough office or members of Council. "When we didn't hear from anyone we felt it was OK."
Mrs. Bird asked if it was "too late to hear us now."
Mrs. Seeley quoted from the minutes of some meetings and said it was made clear that all numbers would change. She quoted former Council President Will Holmes, who said in 2007, "We want everyone to know they will have new addresses."
Several visitors then said they missed those statements, but asked, "Is it at a point when you cannot do anything about it?"
Mrs. Bird said it would be nice if the Borough used a referendum to decide contentious issues, such as is done in Massachusetts. "Could we have another chance?" she asked.
Chief Jennings spoke in behalf of the new addresses and said "the biggest problem is that houses are not numbered now."
James Rockwell, a former Council member, recalled that "folks reacted to the street name changes, and when that was dead, we [thought it had been decided not to do the numbers].
Mr. Tracey said, "I was in favor of renumbering. It will help EMS and the police. There will be some problems." He agreed with Mr. Robertson, "No one voiced concern then."
Nancy Arias spoke on behalf of town meetings to gauge public opinion. She noted that many people thought that "readdressing" was not synonymous with "renumbering."
John Mays and some others said that the Borough did not go a good job of notifying the public of the renumbering.
Mr. Ambruch asked Council to enforce the existing law. He said that the resources spent on changing addresses would be better used to purchase GPS units for the fire department.
Mrs. Seeley noted that twenty people have ordered new placards through the Borough office, and that many others have already changed as well.
In response to a charge that Council was "ramming this through," Mr. Robertson asked what Council had to gain by making the change.
As to Council's regular agenda:
Mr. Robertson made these appointments to Council committees, with the chairman listed first:
Street: Mr. Anderson, Mr. Bastion
Police: Mr. Ciaccio, Mr. Jason Robertson
Fire Board: Mr. Tracey
Library: Mrs. Riggs
Recreation: Mr. Tracey
Emergency Management Director: J. Scott May
Because none of the members of Council volunteered to represent the Borough at the Council of Government meetings, Mrs. Seeley was named without dissent.
The minutes of the previous meeting and the bills lists were approved.
There was no Solicitor's Report.
Council approved a Resolution authorizing the destruction of records that are not required to be preserved. This is passed annually.
Council voted to adopt the Bradford County Hazard Mitigation Plan.
A letter was received from Zito Media stating its intention to raise cable rates as of June 1. As part of the rate process, Council may accept public comment on rates, service, etc. Those who are interesting in commenting are asked to contact the Borough Office by the March meeting.
Mrs. Seeley reminded Councl that 2009 financial disclosure interest forms are to be filed by May 1.
A letter was received from Code Inspections, Inc., stating that under the state codes, apartment houses are to be fitted with sprinkler systems.
DEP is working on regulations for Outside wood-fired boilers. Mrs. Seeley said these would affect at least some of the boilers now located in the Borough. The new regulations have not yet been approved.
The Kolnos Property has formally been transferred to the West Bradford Development Corporation. The contract to raze the structure has been awarded to Lycoming Supply, and the tentative start date is February 15. Some houses in the area are also to be demolished as well in hopes of making a larger area suitable for commercial development.
Council approved a new list of fees for use of Borough machinery and labor.
Council voted to order 80 tons of salt for next winter.
Arrangements will be made for the NTSWA Street Sweeper to visit the Borough in April.
Mrs. Seeley announced that Street Foreman Lewis Howell will retire February 28. He worked for the Borough for fifty years. Mr. Robertson said the resignation would be accepted with deep regret, and Mr. Tracey stated that there must be few people who had worked fifty years at the same job, one that required physical work as opposed to a desk job.
The roof repairs on the fire station will be completed when warm weather permits.
Mrs. Riggs announced that there will be a series of workshops at the Green Free Library this year.
Mr. Tracey said that Towanda and Wellsboro have passed fence ordinances, setting standards for materials, etc. He asked that those be compared to see if they would be suitable for Canton.
Mrs. Seeley said that a UGI will repair a gas leak on Lower Mountain Road when the weather allows. PennDOT is cooperating in the repair. There is no imminent danger from the leak.
Mr. Tracey also asked that PennDOT be requested to clean out under the bridge at Spring Brook. This has not been done for several years and would alleviate some flooding problems.
Finally, Pastor Gerald Schmidt took note that almost all of the visitors left the meeting after the readdressing comments were finished, and he commented, "Kudos to those who stayed for the rest of the meeting!"
Council held an Executive Session for legal and personnel matters after the meeting. No action was taken.
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