The Weissport borough council approved the operation of the borough's constable Monday night.

The council voiced approval for Constable James E. Osborne to begin acting on civil cases in the borough.Osborne has offered his services previously to the council but has never received a formal word of approval to act upon ordinance violations in the borough.Osborne stated that he sought their approval because he does not want to cause any conflict with the council. He says he has been asking the council to approve his operation formally for some time.As independent contractors, constables are permitted to perform the same municipal duties as police officers, excluding traffic, and enforce civil ordinances such as parking violations, vehicle registration violations and any other ordinances that carry either a fine or penalty. Title 44 of the Statutes of Pennsylvania allows constables to arrest people on sight for breaches of the peace, disorderly conduct, breaches of law and other crimes. Constables are not permitted to conduct any investigations without the legal approval of a judge.Osborne cited the 1983 Pennsylvania Supreme Court case Rosenwald v. Barbieri, which ruled that constables are independent of the townships in which they work.Osborne says he wants to return to full operations as constable because he lives in the borough."People come to me all the time asking for help," Osborne said.Osborne says he has received complaints about civil ordinance violations from community members in the past."Crime is horrible in Weissport," said Osborne, describing seeing needles in the streets of Weissport, as well as multiple violations of the burning ban ordinance and parking violations. "I've got pictures of people dealing drugs."Osborne described current Weissport police officer Denna Krammes as a "really good lady."Osborne said the current situation with police presence in Weissport is improving."She's just not here all the time," Osborne said.Krammes only serves part time as Weissport's police officer.Osborne said he wants to remind residents that any concerns regarding ordinances themselves must be brought before the borough council for resolution."Everybody has to start following these ordinances," Osborne said.The council said the next appropriate step was to alert District Judge Eric Schrantz by formal letter.Osborne is currently in his second term as Weissport's constable; he has held the title since 2008. He encourages any resident who needs help to contact him at 570-657-1304.Other business• The borough's 2016 audit was noted as completed, allowing the borough to begin applying for grants.• Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-Carbon, sent a resolution recognizing the borough for its dual anniversaries - 225 years of the town's founding and 150th anniversary of its incorporation as a borough, as well as praising both the accomplishments the borough has made and its residents.• The borough noted it is currently working with its engineer to renew its MS-4 compliance for stormwater management.• The borough is pursuing a block grant to help fix drainage issues along White Street.