Firefighters get flea market okay

MATAMORAS — A newspaper account Wednesday reported that a temporary zoning permit has been issued to the Matamoras Fire Department, allowing the resumption of the department’s weekend flea markets. The flea markets, which fire department officials have described solely as equipment fundraisers, were halted in late June. Borough officials had issued a stop order, insisting the flea markets classify as commercial activity. Commercial activity is not permitted in the residential area at Airport Park, where the firehouse is located and the flea markets were staged. Borough Zoning Officer Bob DiLorenzo was unavailable for comment Wednesday. Borough President Bob Stevens referred all calls for comments to Solicitor Robert Bernathy, who did not respond to a Courier query by press time. Last month, the issue was to return to the Borough Planning Commission in hopes of reaching a compromise solution or possible zoning amendment. Then in July Chief Kevin DeGroat said that the $900 weekly profit went toward the purchase of the department’s new $650,000 ladder truck.