By Mary Ellen Day, Special Writer
Borough Council unanimously introduced an ordinance Monday night concerning the maintenance of vacant residential properties in town.
The ordinance would authorize the borough to impose penalties on the creditor that fails to remedy building code violations in a timely manner on vacant residential proprieties in foreclosure.
Many properties are not being kept up after the recent flooding, have been abandoned or have many violations and the borough is not receiving taxes on the vacant properties.
If a residence becomes vacant at any time after the creditor files for foreclosure, the borough can determine that the property is in violation of any applicable state or local housing codes and may require the creditor to correct the violations.
Any creditor that has started a foreclosure proceeding will have to give a list of the properties, by lot and block. The borough would notify a creditor if a to-be foreclosed property needs work. If the work isn’t done, the borough would have the power to place a lien on the property.
This ordinance will be able to be discussed during the public portion at the next Borough Council meeting on Sept. 8 at 6:30 p.m. in the municipal courtroom.

