Lansford Borough Council discussed hiring additional code enforcement officers, updating ordinances, adding an amusement fee and other items at last week’s workshop meeting.

An agenda outlining all the items coming before council for a vote tonight is available on the borough’s website.

Council discussed hiring a part-time code enforcement official to help with duties, as the current code officer takes on rental licensing duties. The borough recently shifted the rental licensing and inspection back in-house after outsourcing to ARRO Engineering for a year.

Council also discussed the current code official, Shane Monk, becoming a full-time employee and a job description is being compiled ahead of a shift to full-time status.

The borough has also been working on an animal ordinance and amendments to its ordinances on bulk refuse container, towing and residential rental licenses.

The animal ordinance prohibits wild and exotic animals, except at veterinary, humane society, circus or an educational or scientific facility, but allows ferrets under certain conditions.

Service animals are also permitted, but documentation regarding training may be requested.

The animal ordinance amendment also prohibits animals from running at large and places limits on noise at certain times.

Councilwoman Jennifer Staines said she believes council needs to address roosters specifically due to noise, possibly prohibiting them.

The animal ordinance also spells out the number of animals allowed, care, including cleaning of nuisances; and injuries to humans.

Another new ordinance is one regulating amusement devices, which include jukeboxes, mechanical or electronic devices that include pinball machines, bowling machines, pool tables and dart boards; and video devices for amusement that use a video screen for games.

License fees for amusement devices would be $50 for each jukebox, $300 for mechanical or electronic device, and $500 for each video device.

Residents questioned how that would affect nonprofit organizations, and council members said that the fees should be assessed on the owner of the device, which often is not the business or establishment where they are located.

Other items discussed last week included:

• The county demolition grant program, which would allow a maximum of $50,000 and requires a match of no less than 50% of the project cost.

• Using ADP for timekeeping for borough employees, including police. Time would be logged by employees using existing borough cellphones.

• Electrical work at Ashton Park using a recent grant award.

• Planting trees received through a grant.

• A proposal for music in the park geared toward children ages 4 to 12.

• Security cameras in the both Ashton and Kennedy parks.

• An update on America250PA and Lansford’s 150th anniversary in 2026.

• Changes to oversized parking, returning large vehicles to a lot along Dock Street, instead of winter parking in the Ashton Park lot.

• Changes to how the council formulates an agenda for its meetings.