Commission member Dennis Leigey nominated Evans while suggesting he remain vice chairman of the commission. Commission members thanked Mattern for his service to the planning commission.
“I would like to thank him for his service to Lawrence Township,” Leigey said. “He was dedicated to his position and to the community. [We] just want to say thank you for your service and good luck.”
Mattern announced his resignation prior to the adjournment of the commission’s Aug. 14 meeting. At that meeting, he said the township had ordered its solicitor to prepare an amendment to its sewer ordinance that would penalize homeowners who are contributing to the influx of storm water in the sewer system.
He said the penalties ranged from $1,000 to $3,000. He disputed that the amended ordinance would only affect a few homeowners at a minimal cost. Instead he believed it would be “more than a few bucks” for homeowners to comply.
Mattern, personally, utilizes drains and a pump. He said without a pump, he would have five feet of water in his basement following a heavy rain. He said that he’d received an estimate of $800 to $1,000 to resolve the issue.
He said he resigned with reluctance but couldn’t work for the board of supervisors.
In other business:
- The commission approved a subdivision after the plans were edited by Ernie Carns, the engineer for the Larko property.
- Code Enforcement Officer Agatha Lauder-English reported that Greystone Court Villas received its variance last week. She recommended its approval under the condition it meets the engineer’s recommendation.
- The commission approved the conditional use for timbering on Carbon Mine Road. Logger Jeff Krause said it’s approximately 35-acres; Lauder-English said it is zoned residential agricultural. She said that she and Supervisor William Lawhead are in the process of putting a bond together. They will be looking into the road’s condition and then completing the bond.
- The commission approved the Timbervest Ugly Grin Timber Sale on Baneyville Settlement Road. It’s zoned residential agricultural. Lawhead and Lauder-English will be working on the road bond.