Elverson resident Jim McGlone presented safety concerns regarding his neighbor’s fence to Elverson Borough Council during its monthly meeting at Borough Hall on Nov. 4.
McGlone addressed a neighboring fence and shrubbery that is blocking the view of the road from his driveway on Route 23.
“I have been here three times before,” said McGlone. “No one has even come to talk to this woman. If someone gets hit or killed on 23, at least it will not be my fault.”
McGlone presented his own photographs and research into borough ordinances to support his case. He questioned permitting and zoning ordinances and requested that someone look into his complaint.
“Four years ago, I had to pay $100 for a permit, and now I am being told there are no permits,” said McGlone. “Why did I have to purchase a permit, but she didn’t? Also, I have an ordinance from 1998 right here that says you’re not allowed to put shrubs up that block the view.”
The borough addressed the validity of McGlone’s complaint and agreed to investigate, although Borough Solicitor Jim Scheffey discredited McGlone’s argument.
“There may be some nuisance ordinances that apply, and we will look into that,” said Scheffey. “Other than that, it’s a neighbor dispute, and it’s not something the borough would get involved in. We have to go through this and see what applies and what doesn’t apply.”
Several borough members also pointed out that McGlone’s evidence was not credible, as the ordinance he cited is part of a subdivision that applies only to land that is being developed.
Council has agreed to look into the complaint.
Also on the agenda State Police Trooper Herman presented a report of activity in the borough, citing four traffic collisions, one drug possession, one domestic-related assault, three thefts and seven traffic citations.
The council presented concerns to the officer, which included speeding on the main road and a local resident who has been going door-to-door asking for money. The vehicle and its plates have been photographed, and the State Police will be looking into the incident.
In other news, builder Dan Schempp made a request for conditional preliminary approval for developing town homes on Park Avenue.
Schempp’s project is slated to begin in the late winter or spring of 2015.
The council motioned to grant the approval under the conditions that Schempp address concerns (both from SSM Group, Inc. and Hydro-Terra) including storm water and sewage, as well as a walking path that will lead from the development to Park Avenue.
The council also went on to discuss the Vision Partnership Grant, which they received in the amount of $46,000 to be matched $19,800 over 18 months.
The funding assists the borough in acquiring consultation from specialists about local planning programs and is a tool in “promoting cooperation between local governments and the implementation of Landscapes, the County’s comprehensive policy plan,” according to the grant website, www.landscapes2.org/psd/vppnew.cfm.
Another big discussion on the agenda was a proposed change of the borough’s insurance provider for 2015-16. Council President Shirley Crehan presented a possible plan to work with insurance company HDE, a non-profit that offers year-end dividend return after several years of staying in business with them.
If approved, the borough would work through insurance broker BABB, and it has been pre-approved by the proposed insurance company.
The council will continue discussion on this proposal.
The next Borough Council meeting will take place on Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. in the Borough Hall at 101 S. Chestnut Street in Elverson.
