Summit Hill Borough Council, unhappy with the performance of its trash collection contractor during a recent cleanup event in the borough, has reduced the monthly payment to the firm by about $2,000 this month.

The council voted unanimously to pay County Waste $21,525, instead of $23,205, which is the monthly fee.

The action came following an executive meeting of the council to discuss the matter.

Without going into detail, council member David Wargo said, “They botched the beginning of spring cleanup. Then they botched the end of spring cleanup.”

“I’m not very happy with our contractor,” he said.

County Waste has a one-year contract to collect trash in the borough.

In other business

During Monday’s council meeting:

• The council was informed a resident faces eviction from her home unless the landlord corrects safety defects to the rental property.

The landlord and tenant weren’t named. The borough’s code enforcement officer, Danny Matika, said he informed the landlord on March 3 of nine “safety violations.” He said to date, none of the violations have been addressed.

These violations include a furnace issue, the lack of a carbon monoxide detector and a loose bannister.

The tenant pays the landlord $1,130 a month, the council was informed.

Council President Michael Kokinda said the intent of the ordinance “is to protect the tenant.”

Wargo agreed and said the landlord is creating “an unsafe environment and we know about it.”

Matika said a letter will be sent on Wednesday to the landlord, who lives in the neighboring town of Lansford, and if the matters aren’t addressed within a specified period, the tenant will be evicted.

Kokinda said the landlord will not be permitted to rent the house to anyone else if eviction occurs because of the violations.

• The borough will sell a 1995 model Dodge pickup truck as-is, with the minimum bid being $500. The solicitation for bids will be advertised.

• Council member Karen Ruzicka was given permission to measure various blocks in the borough to determine if painting parking spaces would be feasible.

• Ruzicka noted damage from a motorist has occurred at Memorial Park. She was given permission to recruit volunteers to make the repairs. The borough will purchase the materials.

• William O’Gurek Jr. said the police committee has begun the process of seeking candidates for the position of chief of police. An update will be given at next month’s council meeting.

• Wargo gave an update on his campaign to educate municipalities and residents about the impact charter schools have on public schools’ finances. He said Mahoning Township has adopted his proposal. He plans to address the matter in the near future to borough councils in Lehighton and Palmerton.

In addition, he has started a Facebook group titled “PaGovernmentsforFairFunding.”

• The council agreed to charge a $100 fee for food vendors to operate in the borough during the summer months. This was passed by a 5-2 vote with council members Kokinda and O’Gurek opposed.

• The no-parking ban at the borough’s cemeteries, east of Elm Street, was extended for another 30 days.