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CANTON — Canton Borough Council’s monthly meeting on Aug. 10, at the Canton Firemen’s Hall resulted in talk about traffic violations and complaint forms.
The meeting opened with a 45-minute executive session to discuss a legal matter.
Visitor Comments
Resident Brian Koval spoke about his concern regarding complaint forms and what the proper procedures were to get his “voice heard by council.”
He then addressed Borough Administrator Amy Seeley on why she had not followed up on an issue from 2018 when former borough council President Schultz asked for the borough complaint form to be placed on the borough website in addition to each council member at the time being given two copies each.
Koval continued to stress that all he wants is “communication and transparency” at the local government level. Koval then asked council why the meeting minutes are not posted on the website when many other townships, boroughs and school districts follow that procedure.
“If a vehicle sees a pedestrian crossing does the vehicle have to yield the right of way?” she said.
“Yes, that vehicle does,” said Seeley.
The Canton resident then said that the incident happened at the crosswalk by the Acorn. A recycling truck yielded to her and her husband but a second car going towards the red light in town did not.
The resident then asked Chief Seeley why he did not stop, revealing that the car and driver in question was Chief Seeley.
Seeley said he did not recall the incident.
The resident said he was driving and not paying attention, with a cup of coffee in his hand.
Seeley responded that he does not drink coffee and is rarely in the Acorn.
Seeley also stated that people need to be in the crosswalk so that vehicles know they intend to cross.
The incident happened back in June and was never reported in previous meetings. The resident then asked how high grass can be in the borough before a ticket is issued. The limit is six inches high, according to the borough council.
The final visitor comment came from Arla Moyer. She addressed the Canton mini park and asked why no handicap accessible ramp has been put in.
Moyer said, “I have been to previous meetings and asked about the mini park and got a ridiculous answer and now I am going over your heads.”
Moyer thanked Dave Groover for helping with rubbish in front of her house, then addressed Administrator Seeley about a blown transformer fire.
At the previous meeting, Moyer said she started to say something about protection, when Seeley allegedly started to talk down to Moyer.
Moyer said the fire company should have been called when the transformer started spewing sparks all over. She asked Chief Seeley to meet her halfway in front of the borough council table.
Moyer said that she was “sorry to have to do this” with Chief Seeley, and told Seeley that someone was threatening her life.
She asked Seeley why nothing was done. Moyer then accused Seeley of calling Moyer a liar. Seeley said he would never call Moyer a liar. Moyer said that she continues to be harassed by this person and won’t tolerate being harassed any longer.
Moyer stated she will be going to the State Police. Moyer concluded that the council needs to start doing things the right way.
Other News
Chief Seely then gave the police report and stated that last month speed limit reductions were requested on Tripp Street and Seeley said he is OK with the reductions.
Seeley said that on some of these streets you have to be followed for 3/10 of a mile for it to be enforced.
Brandon Wilcox, a Street Department committee chairman reported they are trying to get all of the projects done that they can this summer, which includes West Union Street. Wilcox asked that something be done about drainage on his lot as well. He also asked about hiring another borough employee for the street department. A motion was made and approved to advertise for a street department position.
Recreation department reported that the pool season has gone very well. The pool will be closing on Aug. 29, pending start of the NTL football season. Dive-ins are scheduled and community Saturdays will be announced soon.
Code enforcer John Raub recommended the request of a collateral of three times the fine for an appeal if is filed through the borough office.
Fire department reported that their renovation of the firemen’s field is underway and should help dispel some of the water when it rains. It will be an overall improvement to the grounds.
The next meeting will be on Sept. 14.