Columbia Borough’s entire complement of councillors, the mayor and the borough manager were on hand for last night’s “meeting of the whole” at the borough hall. Four citizens were in attendance, though one left after presenting an issue to the council. The meeting convened at 6:00 pm and was adjourned at 8:45 pm.

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The councilors, borough manager and mayor began the meeting and addressed the above agenda items.

One citizen came to ask council to take a look at the street on which he lives. He said the street is concave and gathers water whenever it rains. He also said the street is never cleaned. Several councillors were not exactly certain about the location of the street, but one offered that the street is too narrow for fire apparatus. The citizen also observed that one day the street he’d known as “Fairview Avenue” was redesignated “Fairview Street” according to the street signs. The councillors and the borough manager seemed unaware of this change.

Columbia news, views & reviews researched these Websites and found Fairview Avenue on numerous Websites including real estate sites; the county’s assessment site and bing maps. None of the sites contained Fairview Street; all contained Fairview Avenue. Looks like the highway department made an independent decision.

The borough will be making “traffic redirection changes” along East Market Street and Avenue I (the area around the borough office and the Market House). Beginning on May 13, Market Street will be one way, “the other way.” The parking lot adjacent to the Borough office and police station will be re-striped so that parking will be “the other way.” The borough will be informing citizens of these changes in a document that will be distributed in the next several weeks.

The councillors had discussion about the now-operational traffic signal at Route 441 and the Route 30 Westbound exit ramp. It was noted that southbound Route 441 traffic wanting to turn left onto the westbound Route 30 access ramp have only a limited-time green turn arrow. This creates long “left-turn” lines on Route 441 southbound. One councillor observed that traffic headed southbound often resorts to driving off the right berm of the road to continue straight. Several councillors voiced safety concerns.

One of the councillors asked that this source inform the public that people can buy mulch at the Borough Farm for only $7.00 a scoop. Buyers must first purchase a voucher at the Borough office and present the voucher at the Borough Farm. Mulch is available on the second Saturday of each month during the growing season.

The councillors cooled to a request by the Columbia United Veterans Council to “waive the insurance requirement” for their slated Memorial Day parade. In 2012, the council granted the waiver on the condition that was a one-time waiver. Organizations hosting special events and using public facilities in the borough have to secure liability insurance.

The councillors also were cool to the agenda item that sought “to close the Borough Office” for a half-day so that all employees can celebrate Norman Meiskey’s Retirement Luncheon.

It appears that Club Good Times has appealed  the borough’s zoning board hearing and that the appeal will be heard in court sometime later this year.

Heated discourse took place during the report by the chairperson of the Wastewater committee. Much of the conversation, at times, heated and pointed, centered on mis-information and “pre-disposition” allegations.

As we have stated repeatedly in the past, to really learn what happens and what is supposed to happen in local governance, interested parties have to attend the meetings in person. Citizens must get involved. No media reporting is able to accurately capture all of the nuances, the inflections, the body language and the discussions. Minutes of the transactions do not record ancillary discussion.

Columbia news, views & reviews was the only media source in attendance at last night’s meeting. Columbia news, views & reviews does audio record open governmental meetings; if you want a copy of the recording of last night’s meeting, send an email to 17512@mail.com.