🧹 Trash, Dogs, Cats… and Witch Hazel Blooms
The night’s most passionate speaker was long‑time resident Mary W, who walked to the podium armed with four concerns: trash, cats, dogs, and alley conditions.
Trash & Streets
Mary didn’t mince words.
“It is totally disgusting,” she said.
After a major “Fourth Saturday” weekend, she described areas of Locust Street and Walnut as embarrassing for visitors.
Dogs
Dog waste after the big snowstorm became a community-wide gripe. Mary insisted officers require residents to carry cleanup bags — something Chief Lutz confirmed is already a rule.
Cats
The cat‑feeding issue, a long‑standing tension point, resurfaced. Wiser described damaged porch railings, muddy pawprints, and the smell of cat urine on her property.
“Why am I having to live with this?” she asked.
🌼 A Needed Bright Moment
Before sitting down, Mary closed on a cheerful note:
“There are three beautiful witch hazel bushes blooming at the park… they make you smile.”
A fitting reminder that spring — and better days — are coming.
💰 Residents Want Clarity on the Wastewater Property Sale
Resident Sharon pushed for answers on the CEDC wastewater treatment plant sale. The council worked through the complicated sequence:
- The Borough transfers the property to the CEDC
- The CEDC immediately sells it to the end buyer
- The Borough receives its funds at the same settlement, not before
Sharon also asked where the money will go.
The answer: likely the general fund, not capital.
She left joking:
“Clear as mud again.”
And everyone agreed — real estate can be murky.
🚨 Trash, Public Works & Emergency Services Updates
Public Works Earns Praise
Mayor Lutz delivered some good news: after heavy storms and a rough winter season, residents have been impressed by the Borough’s pre‑treating and plowing.
He shared comments like:
“When Route 30 was shut down, our streets were just wet.”
Great work, Public Works crew.
A New One‑Way Proposal
The alley beside the Market House (Avenue I) is causing jams. The mayor recommended making it one‑way westbound — an idea council will consider.
🏛️ 300th Anniversary: A Celebration Like No Other
The 300th Anniversary Committee came loaded with news — and excitement.
Tons of Events Are Coming
- Speaker series all year
- Dungeon fundraiser success
- Children’s festival
- Music in the Park ceremony
- Thunder on the River
- Riverfest with Maxwell Project
- Lighting of the old bridge piers — funded by the Wright’s Ferry Mansion Foundation
Council members and residents praised the committee for transforming early doubts into a unified, ambitious celebration.
One member summed it up:
“There’s almost not a week this year without something happening.”
Columbia is getting ready for a year to remember.
🧯 Fire & EMS Updates — Box Changes, Staffing, Contracts
The Fire Department requested several box alarm changes to adjust for:
- The Mountville–West Hempfield merger
- Volunteer staffing challenges
- Better efficiency in mutual aid calls
They also reminded council that Rescue 80, although still responding, will no longer be automatically dispatched if it lacks staffing.
EMS Contract Discussion
Lifeline EMS presented a proposed 10‑year contract including:
- $0 cost for the first 5 years
- $5 per capita beginning in year 6
- And a 180‑day escape clause if council ever changes EMS providers
Expect a vote soon.
🏘️ Big Progress: Rental Ordinance & Slumlord Enforcement
This was one of the longest, most detailed segments of the night — but also the most important.
After years of debate, the council reviewed updated language for the Borough’s rental ordinance, including:
✔️ Closing loopholes
✔️ Parking requirements
✔️ ADU clarity
✔️ Stronger enforcement
✔️ A formal “Slumlord Designation” process
Much of this was drafted with the goal of protecting residents, preventing overcrowding, and ensuring landlords maintain safe, legal properties.
One key phrase from the discussion:
“If someone gets that designation, it’s serious — and it should come before full council.”
This is a major shift toward accountability.
🛍️ Food Trucks, Key Boxes, Fire Inspectors — Ordinances Moving Forward
Several ordinances reviewed in 2025 stalled waiting on legal review. Now they’re ready to advertise:
- Key lock boxes
- Fire inspector language
- Volunteer firefighter tax credit
- River Park parking corrections
- Food truck requirements (pending final solicitor review)
Expect these to advance this month.
🗑️ Single Trash Hauler — Back on the Front Burner
It’s been debated for years. Should Columbia move to a single municipal trash hauler?
Council is now preparing to seriously explore:
- Residents’ costs
- Options for billing
- Rules for commercial vs. residential
- Examples from other boroughs (Ephrata recently switched)
It will be a priority topic at the next workshop.
🧃 Market House Update
The Market House continues to grow:
- A new produce vendor is arriving April 1
- All current vendors are paid up
- Saturdays have been very busy
On the day of the dungeon fundraiser, council noted:
“The market house was packed all day.”
🏗️ Land Bank & Blighted Properties
The Land Bank continues working on its active properties:
- South 5th Street project is being prepared for bid
- Stump Avenue was purchased through tax sale
- North 8th Street has a new private buyer but remains under blight requirements
Meetings will continue monthly.
📹 Livestream Fixes Are Coming
After last week’s failed livestream, the Borough will:
- Install streaming software on multiple laptops
- Prepare backup devices
- Develop a communication fallback plan
Residents will appreciate this level of transparency.
🏁 Meeting Adjourned — But the Work Continues
After three hours of debate, planning, and community conversation, council closed the meeting at 10:00 PM.
The next regular meeting:
📅 Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at 7 PM
