A Coaldale resident thanked police Chief Joseph Krebs and council President Claire Remington for addressing animal abuse that was happening next to his home on Bull Run Street.

“This was a long time coming,” Terry Wargo said, referring to the May 21 rescue of 17 severely neglected dogs. “I was here about eight months ago and complained about the hoarding of animals, the noise and the smell from all of the dogs.”

After hearing from Wargo, council asked borough Solicitor Robert Yurchak to draft an animal control ordinance.

Wargo estimated that he had been “complaining” about the hoarding conditions for more than 20 years.

He said he was thankful that Krebs talked to him about the situation and then contacted the county dog warden.

“It’s been torture for 20-some years,” Wargo said.

The rescued dogs are in the care of the Pennsylvania SPCA and Main Line Animal Rescue, and will eventually be ready for adoption, an PSPCA official said Wednesday.

In other business, council:

• Approved a request to send Mayor Eric Ramirez to a mayors’ conference in Johnstown from July 18-21 at a cost of $250. Ramirez will pay for his hotel stay.

• Noted that council agreed in September 2016 to loan Coaldale High School trophies to the Coaldale Historical Society. Council wants the trophies returned so they can be displayed at borough hall. The trophies are housed in a section of the Lansford Historical Society, however, the Lansford group is looking to relocate them because space for another display is needed. Remington said a social media post claimed that she was trying to “steal” the trophies.

• Will have council members assist with mailing code violation notification letters to residents when the borough code enforcement officer is not on duty. The measure will save the borough money.

• Will require that concrete or blacktop be used on driveways for at least 20 feet from the street. Council noted that stones and modified materials used in driveways often wash onto borough streets during rainstorms.