Burning regulations have been updated in Waymart Borough, replacing an ordinance passed in 1938.

The new ordinance, adopted at the September 2, 2008 Council meeting, limits burning to certain materials, and only between sunrise and sunset. A summary follows:
1.  It is illegal to burn any material giving off any acrid, obnoxious or toxic odors or emit heavy smoke. Among prohibited materials are plastic, rubber, oils, asbestos, composition boards, shingles, felt paper, canvas, fiber glass, vinyl, and human or animal waste. Also banned are grasses, green twigs and leaves.
2. What may be burned includes newsprint, wrapping paper, paper products and sheet paper; cardboard and chipboard and wood. This does not include paper or cardboard used to absorb oil or other noxious materials, or wood that has been chemically treated or has a high glue content.
3. The sun has to be up or don’t burn or allow a fire to smolder.
4. Burning must be attended at all times by an individual age 14.
5. No burning container shall be used or stored within 15 feet of any building or structure. No burning container shall be used or stored within 20 feet of any property line or public sidewalk. A proper cover must be used.
6. Fire outside a burning container are prohibited except by special permit from the local fire marshall.
7. Borough police are responsible for inspecting outside burning containers for compliance and have authority to issue warnings or citations.
8. A violation, upon conviction, shall carry a fine up to $1,000 and costs. If payment is not made, the violator faces imprisonment not to exceed 30 days.
The ordinance was passed unanimously without public comment.

Waystock way cool
• Council president Chip Norella offered congratulation to everyone involved in making the Waystock music festival a huge success. Mayor John Millard concurred, and said citizens were surprised there was no litter. Council member Lillian Rollison, said anyone interested in a Waystock t-shirt may call her at 488-5225. Rollison, who coordinates events at Wayside Park, said $2,087.44 was raised in profit at the festival. Items were purchased that can be used at other park events, such as canopies.
• The Borough is organizing a Halloween party, which will include a “haunted hay ride.”
• Prices are being found to replace the Route 6 traffic signal lights with LED, which would not require future bulb replacement. This is expected to be a good cost savings for the Borough since light bulbs are changed about every other month at a cost of around $400- to $500. One quote to switch to LED was $4,545.62.
• Wayne Memorial Health Systems received a building permit for a separate office structure at Wayne Woodlands Manor.
• Norella will look into the cost of getting material to fill the cracks in sidewalks on Belmont Street as a one -time gesture. Property owners are required to maintain their own sidewalks. There also was discussion about painting cross walks across busy Route 6 at the intersection; PennDOT reportedly won’t paint them.
• During August, Waymart Police dealt with one alarm, one assist to other police, two harassment cases, eight miscellaneous incidents, one residence check and one suspicious vehicle. They gave out two traffic citations and five written warnings, and made six traffic stops. Three warnings were issued for ordinance violations.
Waymart Council meets on the first Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Borough Hall on South Street.