Several months ago Irvona Borough Council members widened the alley between Irvin and Hopkins streets so residents who live along the upper side of Hopkins Street can park there. This would allow those who live on the opposite side of Hopkins Street to park in front of the homes on the upper side.

The reason the issue came to light was because members of Irvona Fire Co. approached council members about the narrow street, noting should there be a fire there, if a fire truck could access the street, there would be very little or no room to work.

Last night at the regular monthly meeting, council member Bill Collins Sr. noted that vehicles are still being parked on both sides of the street, and Mayor John Patterson noted that another problem is unlicensed vehicles being parked along the street.

Council authorized the mayor to exercise his authority and to start towing vehicles. The mayor said that according to the borough codebook, he has the right to enforce ordinances, and he said he might enforce that particular ordinance.

Council is also looking into adopting a property maintenance ordinance. That will be discussed further at the next meeting.

The mayor continued his report, saying Barry Mayes from North Central Regional Planning and Development Commission recently delivered a computer that Gail Webster or Central Pennsylvania Community Action will be using to prepare taxes at the borough building on Fridays from 2-6 p.m. through the tax season.

Mr. Patterson also noted that Connie Harris of CPCA will be in the borough building the second Wednesday of each month to assist people with food stamps, health services, heating assistance and other items.

To schedule an appointment for either Community Action staff  member,  call  1-800-822-2610.

Mr. Patterson said Mr. Mayes would be returning soon to help the borough try to better insulate the borough building.

He has a thermal imaging camera that will show where the building is losing heat, and he said Community Action could work on the furnace to make it more fuel-efficient.

Council would like to try to get a junior council member on board. Mr. Patterson said the requirements include being a borough resident and a junior or senior in high school, taking the oath of office, attending all meetings, including budget meetings, and participating in discussions.

The junior member may not sit in on executive sessions and may not vote. Council will try to find someone interested in participating.

Council President Margaret McCoy noted that boroughs no longer have to advertise for bids if   an  item  is  less  than  $25,000.

In the past it had to be advertised if it was $10,000 or more.

Council will also sign the forms to participate in the CoSTARS program with the county to get salt and other materials at a discount.

In other business, council:

• named Secretary/Treasurer Joann McGarvey as the Right-to-Know officer.
• will send Mayor Patterson, Mr. Collins and maintenance employee Don McCulley to a traffic study seminar at the Madera firehall on Feb. 24 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• heard the inmates from the State Correctional Institution at Houtzdale were painting and cleaning at the borough building and will return in March.
• heard a request from the mayor to attend a Greenways meeting in Clearfield on Tuesday at 6 p.m. The meeting will be beneficial to obtaining money for Elderberry Park and the mayor wants to invite Kay Stiver and Ryan Peterson from the park authority to attend as well.
• was advised during the maintenance report that plowing was done 16 times in January due to storms.
• learned from Mr. McCulley that the Dodge truck has been blowing fuses and he has been working on it, but so far he hasn't been able to fix the problem.
• has made some phone calls pertaining to an abandoned house on Berwind Street that has a wall collapsing and is overrun with rats.