Telford Borough. Photo by James Short.
Council also approved a series of changes to its Civil Service Commission rules to boost police recruitment
The Telford Borough Council Monday, February 9 approved a resolution to establish property maintenance fees for noncompliant homeowners.
The move follows the failure by some local property owners to remove snow and ice from their sidewalks as required by the borough, with an estimated 17 noncompliant properties in the wake of the January 25 snowstorm.
“People aren’t clearing their sidewalks as quickly as they should following the storm,” said borough secretary Bryan Poster. “It’s time-consuming for the police to cite everyone in noncompliance. The snow stays there, melts a little bit and creates ice. Next thing you know, there’s a problem.”
The resolution allows the borough to clear the sidewalks of noncompliant properties and fine property owners for the costs incurred. The fee amount will be determined and incorporated into the borough’s annual fee schedule. Poster suggested amending the 2026 current fee schedule rather than waiting until next year.
Civil Service Commission changes
Council approved a series of changes to its Civil Service Commission rules to boost police recruitment. The most significant change is the reimbursement of roughly $6,000 in police academy tuition expenses over a four-year period upon completion of the officer’s first year.
Other changes are the removal of 35-year applicant age limit, the elimination of the $65 application fee, the easing of tattoo restrictions and the admission of applications from police academy cadets and out-of-state residents prior to their relocation to the borough.
Council also approved some changes to the Telford Borough Authority, including the addition of stormwater planning, management and implementation to TBA’s boroughs, renaming the Authority the “Telford Regional Authority” and extending its existence for an additional 50 years.
New Telford Night Market location
Council member John Taylor announced that the Telford Night Market will be relocating to Hamilton St. in front of the Telford Community Building due to space limitations at the Telford Train Station lot. He said that Hamilton will be shut down from East Hamlin Ave. to East Madison Ave. during events with residential access. He added that the Community Building may host events in conjunction with the Market.
Council member Lauren Geitz also announced plans to form a historic preservation working group to preserve and enhance historic and cultural resources in the borough. She said that the working group will gather extensive community input over the course of the year before presenting a plan to council.
Open borough positions
Council called attention to two open borough positions, including a two-year term on the Recreation Board and a five-year term on the Telford Industrial Development Authority. Interested applicants should send a letter of interest to Poster at [email protected].
Council additionally highlighted some upcoming borough events, including a Red Cross Blood Drive at the Indian Valley Public Library on February 27 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the annual Easter Egg Hunt on March 28 at 10 a.m. at Stover Park and the annual So You Think You Can Cook cooking competition at the Perseverance Volunteer Fire Company on April 1 from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Council also unanimously appointed Dan Wurst to the Telford Borough Authority Board, accepted the resignation of officer Erica Robbins and tabled a motion to advertise for a police chief job position due to a purported succession plan by retiring chief Randy Floyd.
The next Telford Borough Council meeting is on March 9 at 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit telfordborough.org
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