Waymart Borough Council is weighing its options for a landlord law that would, at the very least, require owners of rental property to submit tenant lists to the borough.
The borough has been searching for ways to get a handle on renters moving into town, after some incidents involving police and disgruntled neighbors - loud music and parties topping the list.
“Right now we can’t control it,” said council president Charles Norella at the borough’s Tuesday public meeting. “ ... We’re trying.”
“Almost every borough has had to do this unfortunately,” added council member Jane Varcoe.
Council’s overarching purpose is to get a law on the books that would let landlords and tenants be aware that the borough wants to know who is renting, perhaps influencing landlords to better screen for responsible tenants.
Waymart officials have reviewed related laws passed by nearby municipalities, including the City of Scranton and Forest City, and a sample ordinance from the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs.
The borough association ordinance requires landlords to submit a list of all tenants more than 18-years old, including their address, to the borough for the purpose of registration.
A landlord who fails to do this could be fined at least $25, or up to $300.
Borough Solicitor Robert Fields said the laws that he has reviewed thus far only entail tenant registration, and do not provide a legal mechanism for screening tenants.
“Registration is not screening. It’s just listing,” he said.
In other business at council’s Tuesday meeting, police chief Nicole Brandt said the department responded to 124 more incidents from the beginning of 2009 to March 31, compared to the same period in 2008.
Brandt also presented three police department policies regarding the use of: tasers, non-deadly force, and handcuffing. Council unanimously approved the policies.
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Waymart Borough Council is weighing its options for a landlord law that would, at the very least, require owners of rental property to submit tenant lists to the borough.
The borough has been searching for ways to get a handle on renters moving into town, after some incidents involving police and disgruntled neighbors - loud music and parties topping the list.
“Right now we can’t control it,” said council president Charles Norella at the borough’s Tuesday public meeting. “ ... We’re trying.”
“Almost every borough has had to do this unfortunately,” added council member Jane Varcoe.
Council’s overarching purpose is to get a law on the books that would let landlords and tenants be aware that the borough wants to know who is renting, perhaps influencing landlords to better screen for responsible tenants.
Waymart officials have reviewed related laws passed by nearby municipalities, including the City of Scranton and Forest City, and a sample ordinance from the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs.
The borough association ordinance requires landlords to submit a list of all tenants more than 18-years old, including their address, to the borough for the purpose of registration.
A landlord who fails to do this could be fined at least $25, or up to $300.
Borough Solicitor Robert Fields said the laws that he has reviewed thus far only entail tenant registration, and do not provide a legal mechanism for screening tenants.
“Registration is not screening. It’s just listing,” he said.
In other business at council’s Tuesday meeting, police chief Nicole Brandt said the department responded to 124 more incidents from the beginning of 2009 to March 31, compared to the same period in 2008.
Brandt also presented three police department policies regarding the use of: tasers, non-deadly force, and handcuffing. Council unanimously approved the policies.
