Where does the City of Bradford end and Bradford Township begin?
That’s the question Bradford Township Supervisor Tom Vickery took
to Bradford City Council at Tuesday’s meeting.

Vickery said there seems to be “some issues on the west end of
town as to where the Bradford Township lines are.”

He explained that with the municipalities entering into a Master
Plan for the entire area, the boundary lines should be ironed out
as soon as possible to prevent further confusion.

Vickery said that, to his understanding, “some members of
council believe the city line is at Wagner Avenue, others say is at
the back of the houses at Onofrio Street.”

However, his research – performed at the McKean County
Courthouse – shows that Onofrio Street was at one time deeded to
Bradford Township. He added he did not find at the courthouse where
it had changed hands to the city.

“It appears as though (the annexation) was only addressed” at a
council meeting in the 1960s, Vickery said, and not followed
through in any other manner. He asked city council to look into the
matter also to establish where the line is once and for all.

“It does need to be fixed,” he said. Vickery added, “I’d rather
come down to an amicable solution” than turn to litigation over the
matter.

“That’s the solicitor’s realm,” said Mayor Michele Corignani,
adding that Mark Hollenbeck will research it on behalf of the
city.

“Time is of the essence,” Vickery said. “We’re going into this
master plan and we need to get this straight.”

In other matters, Councilman Bob Onuffer, who oversees the
Department of Public Works, explained that, by request of city
residents, he is instituting a citywide cleanup for the entire
month of May.

“We’re going to spread it out over the whole month,” he said,
explaining that would cut down on overtime in the department.

“Anybody who wants to get can more information in the city
treasurer’s office,” Onuffer said. A sheet, explaining what items
the refuse department will pick up, is available at City Hall.

Onuffer explained that the city refuse department will pick up
most things at the curb all year long, while other refuse
collection agencies will not take certain items. However, not all
city residents are aware of the DPW’s collection policy.

“They don’t understand we can do this every week,” Onuffer
said.

Corignani also read a letter from concerned residents of South
Avenue, who were complaining about the burned out house at 63 South
Ave. The trash and debris at the site is overflowing, the letter
read, and the house is not boarded up or secured in any manner.

“This one is a safety hazard,” said Councilman Dan Costello, who
asked City Clerk John Peterson what could be done about it.

Peterson explained that the Board of Health and code enforcement
offices would be notified and asked to inspect the house to
determine if it is a public hazard.

Also at the meeting, Main Street resident Dave Newman addressed
council about growing concerns with vandalism and with violations
of dog laws in the city.

“I think what we need to do is start a crime watch,” he said, “a
neighborhood watch. Citizen involvement is something we need to
look at.”

“I think you hit the nail on the head,” Corignani said. “This
community needs to be involved in what goes on in it.”

She said people witnessing violations should report them and
then follow through with testifying in front of the district judge
when charges are filed against the perpetrator.

“That’s what stops this,” she said.

In other matters, council

* approved a measure to temporarily close the end of Bishop
Street that intersects with Boylston Street to test traffic flow in
the area;

* approved the removal of the parking meters on Chautauqua Place
and on the north side of Congress Street between East Corydon
Street and Tibbetts Avenue;

* approved ordinances setting up $900,000 in lines of credit for
the building of 13 homes in Phase III of Onofrio Street; and

* heard from Terri Smith’s class at School Street Elementary
School thanking council for their involvement in the creation of a
dog park, which will be located behind Vinelli’s Picture &
Sound on Mill Street.