Gettysburg Borough officials are hoping to increase the quality of life for citizens by ensuring everyone is following the borough’s code of ordinances.
At their workshop on Monday, Planning Director John Whitmore told the council that he continues to work on a code enforcement ticketing system. The system’s primary purpose, Whitmore said, is to educate people when they are breaking the rules.
“This isn’t a method of collecting money,” Whitmore said. “It is really just to make sure we are getting our nuisances in a better state.”
Council President Matthew Moon said the borough brought code enforcement in-house several years ago because the company it contracted with was only interested in enforcing the Uniform Construction Code. Most violations, Moon said, involve high grass or unshoveled snow.
Whitmore’s proposal calls for violators to first receive a warning with no fine involved. If the issue is not resolved within 48 hours, Whitmore proposes a second ticket with a $25 fine. A third violation would cost $50 under the proposal. Property owners who still refuse to comply will receive a citation that could cost up to $1,000.
Councilpersons Alisha Sanders and Peter Bales expressed concern about someone facing a $1,000 fine.
“That $1000 may be cheap compared to somebody with a broken spine,” Moon said.
Council decided to continue the conversation until all members could share their opinions. Councilpersons Judith Butterfield and Patti Lawson were absent.
Conference Incentive
The council is exploring possibly giving discounted parking rates to conferences that hold their event in the borough during January and February.
Borough Parking Manager Becka Fissel told the council that the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission moved its annual conference from Lancaster to Hotel Gettysburg in 2025. As a result, the Racehorse Alley Parking Garage was full for four weekdays. Fissel said that in her 10 years working for the borough, she has never seen the garage full during the week.
Borough Manager Charles Gable said the conference is interested in returning to Hotel Gettysburg but asked if the borough would discount the $18 daily rate. Gable encouraged council to support the request for all conferences held during weekdays in January and February.
“Frankly, we are not losing anything because it is new money no matter how much money it is,” Gabel said.
Council expressed support for the idea and asked Gable to draft a formal proposal.
Alex J. Hayes has spent almost two decades in the Adams County news business. He is passionate about sharing stories focused on the people in our communities and following local governments in an age when few journalists report on their meetings. Alex is also a freelance writer for several other publications in South Central Pennsylvania. Alex encourages readers to contact him at ahayes83@gmail.com.