W-b Owes To Two Firefighters

Albert Stravinsky 
Feb. 5, 1994 
Albert J. Stravinsky, Of Walnut Street, Luzerne, Died Saturday At Riverstreet 
Manor, Wilkes-barre.

By JENNIFER LOCH; Times Leader Correspondent
 Tuesday, February 08, 1994 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 





FORTY FORT -- The borough council passed a new sewer fee ordinance by a 6-3
margin Monday, but it remains to be seen whether the mayor will sign it. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The ordinance sets an annual $30 fee for single-family residences and a $50
fee for businesses and apartment housing. It also makes the borough
responsible for maintenance to sewer lines from the street to the curb. The
house-to-curb responsibility remains with the owner. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Council chairman Joseph Bilbow said the borough is now charging a $40 fee
to repair problems to any portion of a property's sewer line, but it is losing
money. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "We can't continue to do sewer work and lose money on it," he said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Mayor Bob Megatulski said he has heard many questions and complaints about
the ordinance and added that he has his own problems with it. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I'm concerned over duplexes and two-apartment houses paying the commercial
fee," Megatulski said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 He also said he's concerned about the financial strain the ordinance could
put on the elderly population which makes up approximately 25 percent of the
borough. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "How much more money can we take out of their pockets?" he asked. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 If the mayor does not sign the ordinance, council could vote again 6-3 -- a
two-thirds majority -- to override his veto. Megatulski did not want to
comment yet on what he plans to do, but said he will consider it carefully. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Bilbow said he understands the mayor's point, but doesn't see the situation
the same way. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "We are responsible for maintaining the sewers," Bilbow said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Bilbow also said that the sewer fee would go into a separate fund to be
used for sewer maintenance and equipment. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Councilman Bill Harvey agreed that sewers are a necessity and they must be
in proper working order. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I know it's popular to stand up and say `No more taxes,' but sewers are
too important," Harvey said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The ordinance's next step is to the mayor's desk. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In other business, the council: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Hired two temporary part-time patrolmen to replace officers who are
injured. Brian Eovitch and Shawn Brown will be hired at $7.30 an hour. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Voted to pay a yearly flood insurance premium for both the borough garage
and the borough building. Both premiums will cost approximately $1300. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Asked the recycling committee to prepare a letter reiterating the
guidelines of cardboard recycling and get the letter distributed to residents.

Forty Fort Borough Council Oks Sewer Fee Ordinance