Truckers Sit Tight, 
Wait Out The Storm

Mission Into Somalia Is A Welcome Move

By CHRISTINA BINKLEY; Times Leader Staff Writer
 Thursday, December 10, 1992 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 1D QUICK WORDS: SHICKSHINNY 





SHICKSHINNY -- Some homeowners who haven't allowed the borough to inspect
their homes for flood regulations may receive an unwelcome visitor. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Borough officials decided at a closed-door session Tuesday night to warn
homeowners, then get warrants and complete the necessary inspections, said
borough solicitor Joe Prociak on Wednesday. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) says seven homes, two
businesses and a shopping center do not comply with federal regulations for
building in flood plains. The borough is responsible for correcting the
problem. Otherwise, all property owners could lose flood insurance. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 So borough engineers will inspect the buildings to determine how they can
comply. Some homeowners may have to build or tear down structures. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Five Mountain Mall on Main Street poses a seemingly unsolvable problem,
Prociak said. Built too low to the flood plain, the expense of raising the
mall, flood-proofing it or building a levee is unfeasible, he said. So the
borough hopes FEMA will be willing to compromise on the shopping center,
Prociak said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Rea &amp; Derick drug store and Pic Video store, also cited, will be
inspected soon, Prociak said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 But some homeowners have not responded to the borough's August letters
requiring them to let inspectors in. Property owners must also provide
elevation certificates, which cost $300 according to one homeowner, for their
property. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "FEMA wants us to get it done now. And we have to get it done now," said
Prociak. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The attorney said borough officials met in a closed-door session Tuesday
because of the possibility of lawsuits. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "You have to look at the potential for litigation. I mean, I don't want to
give some other lawyer ideas on what to do against me," Prociak said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Homeowners who have not made arrangements for inspections will receive
letters notifying them they have seven days to respond to the borough and 15
days to provide elevation certificates. The borough will provide certificates
for homeowners who don't provide them, and homeowners will be billed. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Prociak wished to correct a misconception some property owners are under:
There is no moratorium on building in Shickshinny. Building is allowed, as
long as it is in compliance with federal regulations.

Shickshinny May Get Warrants To Do Flood-plain Checks 
Under Orders From Fema, The Borough Has To Get Seven Homes, Two Businesses And 
A Shopping 
Center Into Compliance With 
Regulations Or Risk Losing 
Federal Flood Insurance

Shickshinny May Get Warrants To Do Flood-plain Checks Under Orders From Fema, The Borough Has To Get Seven Homes, Two Businesses And A Shopping Center Into Compliance With Regulations Or Risk Losing Federal Flood Insurance