PICTURE ROCKS - An overgrowth of Japanese knotweed is a problem the borough needs to tackle by next spring to help the fire company access Muncy Creek to draw water during structure fires.
Council learned Monday night that weeds have grown up along the access road and areas where the firefighters get the water used during fire emergencies.
There are no fire hydrants in the borough and the stream is the main source of water for the fire trucks, said William Dorman, borough secretary and treasurer, who informed Council about the problem.
"I was told by a licensed arborist that the time to spray it is next spring, not this fall," Dorman said.
He also said he wants to do further research to determine whether spending the money to spray or to cut down the weed would be the best solution.
There's also the consideration of spraying being handled by a licensed professional to protect the creek and prevent the borough from being held liable for any pollution, Dorman said.
The weed has sprung up along the hole near the Route 220 bridge, as well as at Van Rensselaer and Picture Rocks Parks.
Estimated cost to spray the weed could be about $1,000, but before that money is spent Dorman said he will be researching how best to deal with it.
In other news, the council's first reading of its 2013 proposed operating budget is scheduled for the Nov. 5 meeting.
The budget this year is $176,676, but council didn't discuss the upcoming budget Monday.
According to records, the borough real estate is assessed at 1.055 mills and there is a road tax at 0.5 mills. The borough anticipated receiving about $26,000 from real estate and $12,000 from the road tax.
In community news, Councilman Larry Nunn agreed to chair a committee in preparation for the borough's 165th anniversary in September.
