Sep 5, 2014 4 min read

Numerous letters from an anonymous writer complaining about damaged or missing curbs in East Washington are irking homeowners who say they now must replace them despite never having problems with them before.

The anonymous letters sent to Michael Behrens, the borough’s code enforcement officer, have been piling up on his desk recently with addresses and short descriptions of the unsightly problems that most focus on deteriorating curbs.

Madeline Toporcer says that has upset her and many of her neighbors along East Beau Street who think they’re being unfairly targeted for a persistent problem that stretches all across the borough. She added that the number of piecemeal projects that now must be done by homeowners on East Beau will create traffic headaches for motorists.

“I believe they’re picking and choosing,” Toporcer said of the borough’s enforcement. “If someone sends me an anonymous letter, it’s going in the garbage.”

Toporcer and nine other residents attended Thursday night’s special council meeting to discuss the curb issue and also show support for First Christian Church’s bid to allow Weight Watchers to continue renting its social hall. She suggested that anyone who lodges a complaint should be required to provide his or her name and do it in person at the borough building.

It was not immediately known how many total property owners the borough is requiring to fix their curbs, although numerous across the community appear to be broken or missing.

Council President Guy Tucci did not specifically address the anonymous letters, but said he thinks the borough should contact homeowners any time their homes are in disrepair, keep furniture out or don’t mow their lawns.

“If you want East Washington to look good ¬- maybe our code enforcement officer is heavy-handed – but there are a lot of places that need a lot of work,” Tucci said. “Sometimes it needs to be called to their attention.”

The issue came to light when the Rev. Stephen Smythers, pastor at First Christian, complained about getting a notice to repair the curb along Wilmont Avenue. He attended Thursday night’s meeting and reiterated earlier concerns about the quality of work if each repair is done separately and how it might impact the roadways.

“Do you really want all of the property owners digging up all of their streets?” Smythers said. “I think you’re asking for trouble.

Lori Gould, who served on Council in the late 1990s, said she believes that, just like sidewalks, the curbs are the legal responsibility of individual homeowners. However, she suggested the borough takeover those duties to repair them so the work is done in correctly.

“We want the curbs and sidewalks to be repaired, although the borough should take over that responsibility so it’s uniform,” Gould said. “It’s too difficult to enforce that with individuals.”

Borough Solicitor Dennis Makel said he would review the ordinance and go to the church’s property to see the damage to the curb. He added that they might be able to find grant money to help with curb repairs throughout the borough.

“Let’s see what we can do,” Makel said. “The best thing to do is work things out as a family rather than beat each other over the head with a ball bat.”

Other residents also pushed for the borough to reverse its stance that Weight Watchers cannot hold six weekly meetings at First Christian’s social hall because that is a residentially zoned area.

“I think they should be allowed to meet there and don’t know why they can’t,” borough resident Kim Carter said, comparing it to a fundraiser. “I would hope you can reconsider it. I think they’re doing the community a good service.”

Tucci noted that Weight Watchers is “more than a fundraiser” since it’s a for-profit company. Makel said they’ll look into that situation as well. The church can ask for a variance from the borough’s zoning hearing board, which would decide whether to give it special permission.