Weissport Borough property owners who aren’t paying their garbage bills can expect a figurative kick in the pants from the municipality.

During Monday night’s council meeting, borough officials said they plan to more aggressively target nonpayers, including some who are several years behind.

The plan includes developing a resolution that spells out when the borough will begin charging interest and seeking judgment in court for late fees.

“If we don’t stomp it out now, this can just go on for years and years,” said council Vice President Brenda Leiby. “This is something that should have been in place a long time ago.”

Councilman Thomas Ketchledge said Weissport’s sewer authority has made great strides in collecting payments through “sending letters and staying on residents.”

Legal budget

It’s only March, but Weissport is already closing in on reaching its budgeted amount for legal costs in 2018.

Weissport Secretary-Treasurer Bill Donovan told council Monday night the borough had spent almost $4,000 of the $6,000 it budgeted for solicitor Greg Mousseau in 2018.

“I’m not saying rein it in if we need legal fees to be expensed, but I did want to make you aware of it,” Donovan said.

Council said it will likely adjust what it budgets for legal services next year based on the amount of work Mousseau is putting in.

“It’s tough because we’re trying to catch up on ordinances and things that have been let go for years, but that costs money,” Ketchledge said.

Spring Fling

Like the Redneck Festival in the fall, Weissport could play host to a Spring Fling in May.

The Weissport Recreation Commission plans to ask council for permission to hold the event, which would feature rides and games in the borough park, on May 12 and 13.

Council President Arland Moyer Sr. said the commission needs to submit the appropriate paperwork for consideration.

“The park is there to be used, so if all the paperwork and everything is in order, I don’t see an issue with it,” he said.