Little support in General Assembly for municipal elimination

Legislation that would abolish municipal boundaries, creating a centralized, county-wide government, have little support in the General Assembly.

They also appear to have little backing among local officials and have been formally condemned by at least three Schuylkill County municipalities.

"I don't think the Frackville Borough residents would be represented in proper fashion to have another municipality operate on behalf of Frackville borough," said borough council member Patrick J. O'Boyle Sr.

Frackville, Schuylkill Haven and Kline Township each voted unanimously in recent weeks in favor of a resolution opposing House Bill 2431 and Senate Bill 1357; the former calls for the elimination of municipal boundaries while strengthening central county government, while the latter supports more modest changes and encourages consolidation through "boundary review commissions" that would study the issue.

O'Boyle said several Frackville council members had individually discussed the bills prior to borough Solicitor Mark Semanchik bringing the sample resolution before the council.

Semanchik, who represents both boroughs and the township, was on vacation and unavailable for comment.

While Frackville, Schuylkill Haven and Kline Township have actively opposed the measure through adopted resolutions, several other boroughs and townships were unaware of the proposed legislation.

Tamaqua borough manager Kevin Steigerwalt said he wasn't aware of specifics of the bills, but said just the idea of it sounded bad for boroughs like his.

"I don't feel that the existing staff is familiar enough with the area, our needs, what's important to us presently, to make this feasible. I don't see the value in it for us," Steigerwalt said.

Specifically, Steigerwalt said Tamaqua provides many services that other boroughs do not, and it has proactive organizations, code enforcement, a demolition program and police department that he would be concerned about turning over to a larger body that "aren't focused on Tamaqua issues. Depending on who you get in these various positions, they may have no interest in the Tamaqua Train Center, the Little Schuylkill River, or our pool or our recreation areas."

Mount Carbon Mayor Jeff Dunkel said he will introduce such a resolution at an upcoming council meeting.

"I think it would be bad, mainly because of representation." Mount Carbon has dealt with consolidation concerns in the past, specifically with the idea of becoming a part of the City of Pottsville. Dunkel believes the borough-city consolidation raises similar concerns to the current proposed legislation.

abrozana@republicanherald.com