More Code Enforcement Woes in FT
By ANNE HOLLIDAY
WESB/WBRR News Director
Different municipality. Same question. Why is code enforcement complaint driven?
South Kendall Avenue resident Barb Price again on Monday asked Foster Township supervisors what’s being done about the “deplorable” conditions on her road and other areas in the township.
Supervisors said letters have been sent out to several property owners about the problems. But Price still had a question.
“Why is it that the citizens have to be the ones to complain about these conditions in the township when we have the township workers that are up and down the roads? The police can see them,” she said. “I don’t think that I have to be a watchdog for the township.”
Supervisor Jim Connelly, who took a drive with Price to see some of the problem properties, asked Police Chief Jeff Wolbert and Road Supervisor Joe Sweet to report abandoned cars, junk and other problems.
He said if they report the problems, the supervisors will make sure code enforcement officer John Place is made aware of them.
Connelly added that one reason code enforcement is complaint driven is the cost. To hire someone to do code enforcement would cost $30,000 to $50,000 a year and the township does not have the money for that.
He noted that people will pay for junk cars, washers, dryers and other items. All people have to do is look or listen for the ads from people looking for what they’ve got.
“You get a lot money for junk,” Connelly said. “There’s no reason today for anyone to have a lot of junk on their property.”
Also Monday, Seaward Avenue resident Tom Perry said he believes the township could save some money if – when they hire a new police chief and road supervisor – they not be allowed to take their vehicles home.
Wolbert and Sweet both plan to retire soon.
The supervisors and Wolbert explained that he takes a car home at night because he’s on call. If another officer was on-call he would have to be paid double time and a half.
In another matter, supervisors and engineer Roy Pedersen discussed the $916,000 PennVEST loan that’s been approved by the state for sewer line extension work from Lafferty Hollow to Looker Mountain Trail.
Supervisors voted to go ahead with the next steps in getting the loan but Pedersen also told them that if they get the H2OPA grant they applied for to get the project done, they could use that instead of the loan.
Supervisors also agreed to have E&M Engineers come up with a plan – and the cost estimate – to fix 465 feet of sewer line in Foster Brook (the waterway) in the 330 block of Derrick Road.
WESB/WBRR News Director
Different municipality. Same question. Why is code enforcement complaint driven?
South Kendall Avenue resident Barb Price again on Monday asked Foster Township supervisors what’s being done about the “deplorable” conditions on her road and other areas in the township.
Supervisors said letters have been sent out to several property owners about the problems. But Price still had a question.
“Why is it that the citizens have to be the ones to complain about these conditions in the township when we have the township workers that are up and down the roads? The police can see them,” she said. “I don’t think that I have to be a watchdog for the township.”
Supervisor Jim Connelly, who took a drive with Price to see some of the problem properties, asked Police Chief Jeff Wolbert and Road Supervisor Joe Sweet to report abandoned cars, junk and other problems.
He said if they report the problems, the supervisors will make sure code enforcement officer John Place is made aware of them.
Connelly added that one reason code enforcement is complaint driven is the cost. To hire someone to do code enforcement would cost $30,000 to $50,000 a year and the township does not have the money for that.
He noted that people will pay for junk cars, washers, dryers and other items. All people have to do is look or listen for the ads from people looking for what they’ve got.
“You get a lot money for junk,” Connelly said. “There’s no reason today for anyone to have a lot of junk on their property.”
Also Monday, Seaward Avenue resident Tom Perry said he believes the township could save some money if – when they hire a new police chief and road supervisor – they not be allowed to take their vehicles home.
Wolbert and Sweet both plan to retire soon.
The supervisors and Wolbert explained that he takes a car home at night because he’s on call. If another officer was on-call he would have to be paid double time and a half.
In another matter, supervisors and engineer Roy Pedersen discussed the $916,000 PennVEST loan that’s been approved by the state for sewer line extension work from Lafferty Hollow to Looker Mountain Trail.
Supervisors voted to go ahead with the next steps in getting the loan but Pedersen also told them that if they get the H2OPA grant they applied for to get the project done, they could use that instead of the loan.
Supervisors also agreed to have E&M Engineers come up with a plan – and the cost estimate – to fix 465 feet of sewer line in Foster Brook (the waterway) in the 330 block of Derrick Road.
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