Columbia Borough Council Meeting Recap: Snow, Swearing‑In, and “Please Don’t Plow the Street”
COLUMBIA, Pa. — Columbia Borough Council held its January 27, 2026 meeting, marking the Borough’s first meeting of the year and reminding everyone that winter, bureaucracy, and public comment season wait for no one.
After roll call confirmed that everyone was present and accounted for, Council opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence—followed shortly by laughter, kids, and a packed room as the night got underway.
Two New Police Officers Sworn In (With a Full Audience)
The highlight early in the meeting was the swearing‑in of two new Columbia Police officers, complete with family members, applause, and children proudly participating.
The official oath included promises to uphold the Constitution, serve the community faithfully, and do so without discrimination—followed by congratulations, pictures, and some good‑natured laughter as everyone shuffled around for photos.
In short: the formal part was formal, and the Columbia part was very Columbia.
Snowstorm Debrief: What Worked, What Didn’t, and Absolutely No Private Plowing
Council then turned its attention to the recent major snowstorm, which the Mayor described as the largest snowfall Columbia has seen in seven or eight years.
✅ Good news:
- Public Works, Police, Fire, EMS, and Emergency Management were all praised for outstanding work.
- Streets were cleared as quickly as weather allowed.
- Alleys were opened with ATVs when trucks didn’t fit.
❌ Not‑so‑good news:
- People pushed snow back into the streets.
- People parked on snow‑emergency routes.
- People hired private plows who… plowed the street anyway.
Council clarified several things for the people in the back:
- ❄️ It is illegal to plow or push snow onto a borough street without a borough contract
- 🚗 No saving parking spaces with chairs, cones, or creative objects
- 🏃 Snow disputes have already resulted in at least one arrest
- 🪑 Police will eventually collect “saved” parking spots
Translation: Clear your driveway, not the roadway.
The Borough plans to:
- Focus next on corners (where snow piles block visibility),
- Then schools,
- Then remaining residential streets,
- And publish plowing schedules ahead of time so residents can move cars before enforcement begins.
Public Comment: Snow, ICE, Grants, Renters, and “That Other Borough”
Public comment covered a wide range of topics, demonstrating once again that Columbia residents come prepared.
Questions included:
- Should private plowing on borough streets be more strictly enforced? (Yes.)
- Does Columbia collaborate with ICE? (No.)
- Would Council revisit a past resolution on immigration enforcement? (They’ll look at it.)
- Can the Borough help write grants for community organizations? (Referrals yes, writing no.)
- Can Columbia regulate rental application fees? (State law says no.)
- Did Columbia almost take over police services for Wrightsville? (There were talks, no deal, no money discussed, no action.)
Business, Boards, and Borough Business
Council handled a long list of approvals, including:
- ✅ Payments for Makeo Park Phase One
- ✅ Permission to ask the state to reallocate unused riverfront stormwater funds
- ✅ Demolition approval for a riverfront home being rebuilt higher and smarter
- ✅ Certificates of Appropriateness on Cherry Street and North Third Street
- ✅ Approval of Lions Club events and waiving their fees (because five thousand people downtown matters)
- ✅ Appointments to the Shade Tree Commission and Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
Council also acknowledged the retirement of Detective Jesse Zimmerman, recognizing 22 years of service to Columbia and agreeing that “retirement” sounds much nicer than “resignation.”
Important Reminder: Friday Closures
Starting February 6, Borough and Police lobbies will close at noon on Fridays until further notice. Plan accordingly.
Final Notes
Council closed with additional thanks for snow response efforts, updates on redevelopment of condemned properties into affordable homes, and confirmation that when Columbia plans ahead—even for worst‑case scenarios—it tends to get through storms just fine.
Meeting adjourned with:
- Streets still being plowed,
- Snow piles slowly melting,
- And residents now officially warned:
Do not plow the street, save parking spaces, or fight your neighbors over snow.
📍 Next Workshop: February 3, 2026
📍 Next Regular Meeting: As scheduled
