(4/25) Citizens’ concerns led the Carroll Valley Borough Council to change the cost of its long-term rental application fee.
During their meeting in April, the council unanimously voted to reduce the cost of the long-term rental permit from $250 to $50. The reduction came at the request of many who expressed concerns over the new fee, including Charles Dalton of Mountainview Realty.
"Sometimes it does pay to come in here and talk to people," Hazlett said.
Borough Manager Dave Hazlett said citizens have expressed concerns over other areas of the ordinance passed in 2024, and council and borough staff will discuss them in more depth.
Dalton said many of his clients are upset with the new ordinance, and one has asked him to sell his property.
"It seems to be too much of an overkill, what is being requested for the rental permit," he said.
Hazlett said staff are not requiring owners to go to show a deed if they can prove ownership through online county deeds. He said they will look at other sections of the ordinance but affirmed he is unwilling to budge on the need for trash collection.
"We are trying to make sure the folks in our community who are living in long-term rentals aren’t being abused by a derelict landlord," he said.
The ordinance dictates that long-term rentals must be clean and fit for human occupancy. Owners of rental properties who live more than 50 miles away must also designate a property manager whose name is on file at the borough office. Owners must install smoke detectors in bedrooms and common halls. The borough must inspect each rental unit when a tenant changes, the ordinance states.
Mayor Encourage Outreach
Mayor Ron Harris, who has held his office for about 20 years, encouraged citizens to call or email him with questions or concerns. Harris’ comments came after months of attacks from Councilman John Schubring. The councilman once again called for Harris’ resignation for what he believes is a botched investigation into an alleged incident involving a police officer tailgating a citizen in April 2024.
Schubring was supported by citizen Rick Nelson, who claimed Carroll Valley police harassed, threatened, and retaliated against his family.
"You should know me by now, I have been around," Harris said. "If you need something, call me. Sometimes I can connect you to the right people within the borough."
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