SEVEN FIELDS — Officials are considering permitting alcohol in the community center.

The borough council approved a legal ad Monday night to advertise an amendment to a public use policy for the borough office and community center.

The change would allow patrons renting the community center to use alcohol. No glass containers would be allowed and alcoholic beverages must stay in the community center, said Tom Smith, borough manager. Renters must also show an adequate level of event liability insurance, Smith said.

A public hearing on the amendment will be held June 12.

Concerns heard

During public comments, John Ostermann, president of the Castle Creek Homeowners Association, brought up concerns about a small group of townhomes near Castle Creek's units that he believes are not being maintained well enough.

There are a few townhome buildings in a plan on Brookside Lane across from the borough offices that are allowing mold to grow on the siding, the decks are in disrepair and the lawns are bare dirt.

“It takes away the value of our units, and it takes away the value of Seven Fields,” Ostermann said.

Ostermann said Castle Creek fines their members for infractions like the ones he mentioned, but they don't have any authority over the units he's concerned about, as they are not part of the HOA. Castle Creek HOA consists of 315 townhomes in 65 buildings in Seven Fields.

Castle Creek HOA, however, did send a formal letter to the owner of the properties asking them to address the issues. Ostermann asked the borough to also send a formal letter to the property owner.

Tom Smith, borough manager, said he has gotten other complaints about maintenance and will reach out to the owner to discuss the issues. Smith said they also put a reminder of the borough's May newsletter about the property maintenance ordinance.

County grant

The borough accepted a 2017 Butler County Parks and Recreation grant for $7,500 to help defray costs for fall safety material for the town park playground.

Smith said the total cost for the material was about $55,000. It was the last phase of a three-part project to get upgraded safety material at all borough playgrounds.