By BOB MOREHEAD

The Post staff writer

DOYLESTOWN - At the Feb. 15 village council meeting, Doylestown joined a growing host of communities seeking to put the cost of methamphetamine lab cleanup back on property owners.

Byproducts of meth production are highly toxic and potentially explosive and require specialized, professional handling. Such cleanup costs had formerly come from the state Victim Assistance Fund, but with state cuts, the cost had reverted to the communities. Nearby Rittman and Norton have either already passed an ordinance making property owners liable for cleanup costs or have such an ordinance pending. Doylestown based its ordinance on these.

Rittman had tabled its ordinance waiting on amendments, fearful that current language could make an innocent property owner with a portable lab dumped liable for cleanup costs, which is anywhere from $1,500 up.

"I think if we had a truly innocent property owner the village could waive the requirement," village solicitor Timothy VanSickle said. "It's probably more than likely individuals who fall under this law would not be innocent property owners."

VanSickle and Mayor Terry Lindeman said the law is aimed more at indifferent landlords who make little effort to screen potential tenants who then cook meth in the dwelling.

"We've got to look out for the village's best interests," Lindeman said. "Is it fair that the taxpayers pay for this?"

Council unanimously passed the ordinance that night.

An ordinance prohibiting owners from occupying a recreational vehicle within the village limits was removed from the table and passed.

"If someone wants to spend a night or two, that's OK," VanSickle said. "This prohibits someone from living in it."

Provisions in the ordinance allow an owner to buy two permits a year to use the RV as guest accommodations.

Lindeman read a proclamation supporting the renewal of the school district's earned income tax levy and urging residents to vote for it.

Lindeman also announced that due to GPS units sending truck drivers to the water tower instead of the street department, the village was working on changing the street garage's address.

Council will meet again March 7 at the Village Hall.