At the November meeting of the Council, Borough Manager Dave Hazlett said many community members have inquired about the borough’s plans for a property along Route 16, near Frontier Bar BBQ.

Hazlett said possibilities are endless and those who have ideas should email him at manager@carrollvalley.org. Council asked Hazlett for his ideas, which he was initially hesitant to share because he preferred every idea be presented at the same time. After some pressing, the manager tossed out a vision that generated much excitement from the Council.

Hazlett said the Fairfield area is in dire need of an indoor recreation facility that serves people of all ages. Hazlett said a multipurpose facility could include basketball and pickleball courts, a walking track, exercise classrooms, meeting space, and more. Anyone interested in joining a committee to decide the future of the property should email Hazlett.

"Not only will we be brainstorming, but also looking for money to pay for all of this," he said.

The excitement that was generated by the discussion of new possibilities quickly dissipated when the Council turned its attention to an ongoing topic - the sale or trade of other borough-owned lots.

In April, the Council agreed to sell 33 Mason Dixon Trail via public auction with a reserve price of $3,585. The sale was the result of a request from Bethany Martin, 31 Mason Dixon Trail, and her husband Jordan. The auction never occurred, Martin said, and she wanted an update.

Hazlett said the process is stalled because the borough previously thought the lot would not pass a perc test. The perc test passed, making Hazlett believe the lot is worth more than previously estimated. A perc test determines if a lot’s soil will absorb water at the necessary rate. If a perc test fails, a septic system cannot be installed on the property.

The borough discussed the possibility of not selling the lot, which did not please Martin.

"Our point of it was to build a detached garage, so now we are screwed. We can’t put a detached garage on a half-acre lot that we already have a home on," she said.

The Council dismissed to executive session to privately discuss the matter, which is allowed by Pennsylvania law since it deals with real estate. When they returned, they did not announce a solution.