Lansford Borough continues to wait for new signs for a borough lot that has become a haven for junk vehicles and feral cats.

Resident Bob Gaughan called attention to the parking lot adjacent to the former Kiddie Kloes factory at Patterson and Cortright streets during a council workshop meeting Tuesday.

Gaughan, who lives next to the lot, has brought up problems in the past, and said it’s a recurring issue.

The lot continues to settle and some depressions are getting deep, possibly from old sewer lines collapsing, he said. The lower area of the lot is also rugged due to snowplowing, Gaughan said.

“The other thing is that it’s become a collection point,” he said, pointing out there are at least 10 vehicles that seem to have been abandoned there.

“That piece of ground has always been meant to help alleviate parking issues that were up on Kline Alley and that end of town,” Gaughan said, estimating that 10 to 12 spaces are being used for storage of vehicles — some of which haven’t moved in three or four years.

The borough’s ordinance states there is a maximum parking of 30 days in the lot, as the intent was to keep it open to ease parking issues, he said. Some of the vehicles have even been ticketed, Gaughan said.

“There is a black SUV that’s down there that probably has two, maybe even three tickets on it at this point in time,” he said. “So, to me, it’s an abandoned vehicle.”

Councilman Joe Butrie said that he has counted 13 vehicles on the west side of the lot, with three that were legal.

“The rest were illegal,” Butrie said.

The borough is waiting for new signs to come in that will help with enforcement, he said.

Councilwoman Michele Bartek, who heads the public safety committee, said she will let the borough police know about the issues.

“I will inform the police, because they are towing,” she said. “They’re doing a great job.”

Gaughan raised other issues with the lot and the old factory, which involve a colony of feral cats that people have been feeding and putting up makeshift shelters for.

He believes the people believe they’re doing the right thing by the cats, but all they’re doing is making a mess, he said.

“I’m tired of picking up plates. I’m tired of picking up towels,” Gaughan said, and passed around photographs. “I mean, they’re starting to build castles down there.”

Gaughan has complained about people setting up shelters and feeding stations in the past, and the borough crews have removed them.

He believes there are 25 or more feral cats living in the old boiler room of the factory, which has a collapsing roof. The boiler room part of the building was supposed to be taken down by the new owner.

“There was a list of items that were supposed to be taken care of by the new owner, and quite honestly, I haven’t seen anything except for maybe some green growth being removed from that structure,” Gaughan said.

“It’s a shame to see the condition of that building,” he said.

Council President Bruce Markovich said that owner of the Kiddie Kloes building has been taken to court for violations and fined $5,000 twice.

“So there’s a total of $10,000 in fines,” he said. “They have paid zero.”

The building is listed for sale at $435,000, Markovich said, but is worth less, suggesting the amount owed in fines.

“We do have a legitimate developer for that building, and he’s been trying to get that building off them for quite a few months, and he hasn’t got anywhere with them,” Markovich said.

Gaughan said it seems that the borough has done what it can do legally, but maybe officials need to take another approach, suggesting public shaming, possibly putting up a dishonor board with pictures of the properties.

“They certainly aren’t afraid of any litigation,” he said.

Councilwoman Jennifer Staines said that she would be willing to apply for and administer a grant to help with the feral cat problem, but people in the community would need to get involved to help trap and neuter them.