Oct. 7--GORDON -- Before the first snowfall, Gordon borough should have an ordinance on the books to require property owners to remove snow and ice from their sidewalks within a reasonable time after a winter weather event.

During Monday's meeting, Gordon Borough Council also approved an ordinance that would include provisions in the revised 2009 International Property Maintenance Code.

Council President Lynn Korn raised the subject about cleaning sidewalks of snow. The borough currently does not have such an ordinance, though one was considered in 1995.

Council Vice President Kurt Lynch presented several sample ordinances to borough solicitor Christopher Riedlinger, who will review them and draw up an ordinance specifically for the borough's needs.

Council briefly discussed the maintenance code ordinance. The IPMC provides requirements for continued use and maintenance of plumbing, mechanical, electrical and fire protection systems in existing residential and nonresidential structures in order to ensure that all buildings -- residential and commercial -- are sanitary, safe and are fit to be occupied and used.

"Basically, if there are problems with homes in the area that don't rise to the level of warranting demolition of homes, such as broken windows, falling siding, things of that nature, the code requires people to keep their property in good repair," said Riedlinger.

Maintenance work is almost completed at Gordon Community Park, thanks to a program called "Lowe's Heroes" though the Lowe's Distribution Center at Highridge Business Park. The program has employee volunteers come to a selected community as a public service. Snyder said benehes, fences, swings and other park items were painted, a new roof was put on the shed, new seesaws were built and other work.

"Everything looks beautiful. Lowe's donated all the time and material," said Councilwoman Suzanne O'Neill. "They deserve a special thank you and acknowledgement."

The borough will apply for the 2010 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) competitive funding program through the county. After some discussion, the application will be made to improve handicapped accessibility at the entrances into the borough office and the firehouse side of the municipal building. If it is eligible, the application will also include a request for funds to install a security surveillance system in the building, including two outdoor and two indoor security cameras with a DVD recording system. The cost for equipment without installation is almost $1,900.

The borough received the results of a state audit of borough records for 2007 and 2008 that showed no violations or possible violations were found.

Snyder reported that Daniel Holderman was sworn in as the new code enforcement officer. He will meet with Snyder about a current complaint.

In the sewer account report, Snyder said the sewage account delinquent total dropped from $22,250.42 on Sept. 1. to $21,611.62 on Oct. 1, a decrease of $638.80.

The next regular council meeting will be at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2. Borough council will also hold a budget workshop at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26. Both meetings are open to the public.

Trick or treat night in the borough will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31.

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