The cost of having a pet running loose around East Greenville borough is about to double. 

        At Tuesday’s East Greenville Borough Council meeting, officials reviewed a draft of a proposed animal control ordinance.  The ordinance further defines the roles of borough officials, animal control officers and police when dealing with stray animals. 

Officials previously said they hope the changes to the ordinance will cut back on an abundance of stray cats in the borough. 

        Language in the ordinance changes to recognize the role of borough officials not to care for and hold an animal, but to call the animal control officer in the case of stray dogs or possibly rabid animals.  Borough officials will transport caged stray cats or other domestic animals to the SPCA for care.

        The draft also makes it a violation to interfere with borough officials seizing animals and doubles fines for both first-time and repeat offenders.  Owners of a stray animal seized by officials will now pay $50.  Repeat offenders will pay a minimum of $100.

        If the animal’s owner can be located immediately, however, the individual will only have to pay a transportation fee of $30, officials said.

        Council agreed to advertise the ordinance for possible approval at the next council meeting.

        Borough Solicitor Steven Kramer said the clubhouse rules and regulations for the Colonial Village facility are ready for review.

        Officials said the Colonial village clubhouse property and borough-owned land will be under the same regulations as borough parks.  Clubhouse parking is also being addressed, reserving a certain number of the 20 parking spaces for clubhouse users with the rest to be available for use by neighbors.

        Councilman Leon Steinert approached council regarding a need to purchase a new dump truck before the present truck starts needing costly repairs.   Council discussed the options of purchasing a new or used truck to replace the current truck which is 24 years old.   It was decided to continue with the search and draft future budgets to accommodate the potential monthly payment.

        No estimates on new equipment were available.

        After some discussion, council approved a lease agreement with PECO. 

        Earlier this year, PECO proposed mounting a radio read meter system on the borough’s water tank.  The system would allow PECO to remotely read customers’ meters and will give PECO the option to shut off the gas in case of an emergency. 

        Borough Manager Jim Fry received reassurance from PECO that the water tank would not be compromised in any way.  Kramer also reported that he reviewed the lease agreement and found it to be reasonable.

        The lease agreement with generate $1,000 a month in rent to the borough.