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Muncy Borough Council approved buyouts of four properties located in the flood-prone area of the community during its recent meeting.
The 4-2 vote was the only business acted on by council and came after members met behind closed doors in an executive session for legal purposes.
Voting in favor of the buyouts of the homes in the borough's north end were Scott Delany, Richard Sutton, Ryan Scruggs, and Thad Martin. Steve Shank and George Henry voted against. Bill Scott was absent. Martin said it's likely he'll vote against any additional buyouts that come before council.
"It's not a solution long-term," he said.
The buyouts were tabled by council at its previous meeting.
The homes are located at 29 N. Market St., 107 Mechanic St., 114 N. Washington St., and 122 N. Washington.
Herbert and Deborah Parks, 122 N. Washington St., who have lived in their home near Glade Run since 1999, indicated they are happy with council's action.
"We don't want to start with a new mortgage," Deborah said.
Kelsey Green, Lycoming County hazard reduction planner, explained the buyouts are financed from the county's share of leftover emergency funding through U.S. Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Community & Economic Development.
The next step will be for the homeowners to either accept or reject the buyout offers.
"I will draft a maintenance agreement," Green said.
Under the buyout program, a municipality takes over the properties after the homes or commercial structures are destroyed. Each buyout results in a loss of property tax revenue.
Scott Johnson, president of the Muncy School Board, noted that buyouts decrease available housing in the borough.
"We have a shortage of housing as it is," he said.
At its most recent meeting, the school board passed a resolution opposing any additional buyouts. In the meantime, Johnson noted that the board has not raised the district's property tax rate in the past four years.
Pharron Banghart, of Muncy, noted that many homes are deteriorating from high-water events through the years. William Ramsey, former Muncy Borough manager, urged council to keep its focus on the north end where flooding occurs.
The next council meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 7, at the Muncy High School Library/Media Center.