A law that limits where sex offenders may reside was brought up at Waymart Borough council's Tuesday meeting.
Councilman Craig Spewak said he would like the borough to consider a law recently passed by a southeastern Pa. municipality that restricts a Megan's law registered sex offender from living within 500 feet of a school or park, among other public places.
“I really would like to explore this possibility as soon as possible,” said Spewak, who also leads the borough's public safety committee. “I think this is a really good thing.”
Middletown Borough Council passed the law in June, even in light of a federal court ruling that overturned a similar law passed in Allegheny County. The federal court ruled that such laws prevent the state from rehabilitating offenders, according to published reports.
Borough Solicitor Robert Fields made note of the federal court ruling during the meeting – a facet that  could pull the borough into litigation if the law was passed by council. 
Councilwoman Jane Varcoe said the borough would also have to negotiate an agreement with Canaan Township, since Robert D. Wilson Elementary School is located there.
In other business, council discussed state legislation that may require municipalities throughout the Commonwealth to pay for state police services, a tab that is currently paid with state tax revenues.
Under the proposal, municipalities that do not offer full-time, local police coverage would be charged about $156 per resident, or less if a municipality, such as Waymart, offers part-time coverage.