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West Easton residents who have been frustrated with the lack of enforcement of Borough Codes should be getting some relief soon.

Councilman Paul James, who presented the preliminary budget for 2016, noted that $15,000 was added as an expense for a non-traffic Code Enforcement Officer.

Enforcement of borough codes, many of which deal with quality of life issues, has been lacking because Pennsylvania State Police do not enforce our local codes. PSP has been providing protection to West Easton since the City of Easton refused to renew a policing contract.

Mayor Gross previously sought help from PSP, but was rebuffed.

Mayor Gross and the council have been looking for a solution, many knowing first hand some of the abuses and lack of adherence to the codes by residents, who are aware that the codes are currently difficult, if not impossible to enforce.

The addition of a Code Enforcement Officer should help alleviate a myriad of complaints that include noise and unkempt yards, among others. He or she will have the authority to file violations with the local magistrate, which is something only an officially appointed Borough Manager or Code Enforcement Officer has the ability to do, when lacking local police to provide enforcement.

Though no determination of who the new Code Enforcement Officer has been made, the rumors include a police officer from Nazareth and a retired Borough Manager from Wilson may be considered.