Ephrata council talks residency, jake brakes
EPHRATA — The Ephrata City Council on Tuesday approved a pair of ordinances that gave anyone who owns property in the city, and not merely residing in Ephrata, the right to use the city’s pool and recreation programs and be buried in its cemetery for the same cost as city residents.
At the advice of City Administrator Wes Crago, the council voted to change the definition of resident to anyone who pays property taxes to Grant County on a property located within the city limits.
In the case of the cemetery, city residents currently pay $585 for an adult space, while non-residents pay $857, for example. A season pool pass for an adult who lives in Ephrata is $69, while a non-resident season pass is $81.75.
The city council, after a discussion, also decided not to consider an ordinance against the use of engine brakes — or jake brakes — by semi-tractor trailers as they go through town.
“We’ve had four complaints in the last few months, but it’s pretty rare otherwise,” Crago said.
Crago said most of the complaints have come from the southern end of town, as state Highway 28 enters town, and then on Dodson Road North where the speed limit drops from 55 to 45.
“It would cost us about $600 in signs, as well as add to the ‘Welcome to Ephrata, here’s a list of things you can’t do,’” Crago said.
While the council decided not to act on the matter — Fire Chief Jeremy Burns noted that the city’s fire trucks have and use engine brakes — there was some division as to the how the city should respond.
“There’s enough noise, so if you can reduce it a little,” said council member Stephanie Knitter.
However,council member Kathleen Allstot noted the obvious.
“Is it any worse than the trains going through town?” she asked.
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