CLEARFIELD – Lawrence Township Supervisors gave final approval for amendments to the Sewage and Water Ordinance No. 2012-5 at last night’s meeting.
Solicitor James Naddeo said the amendment provides means for the township to enforce the ordinance. The township will now be able to issue citations to homeowners with fines up to $2,000 for violations, such as discharging stormwater into the sewage collection system without remediation, or refusal of residential inspections.
It was reported at the previous township meeting that 50 homes still need to be scheduled for sewer inspections, and at least 15 houses continue to be in violation of introducing stormwater into the sewage collection system.
The supervisors approved to have the township engineering firm, Stiffler, McGraw and Associates, perform die testing for downspouts, sump pumps and other possible means of infiltration of stormwater from homes into the sewage collection system.
Supervisor Ed Brown reported he’d received several comments regarding the need to increase the township’s sewage surcharge for residents in the Hyde area that are on the sewage system. He said that, according to rough estimates, the township anticipates increases in expenses for next year of more than $135,000, which will have to be covered with an increase of sewer surcharge rates.
Brown noted the township will conduct a thorough evaluation of the income and expenses for the sewage system to determine the surcharge increase amount, adding that the increase will be “as little as we can get away with” to cover the increased costs.
The rate increase will be decided before the end of the year, Brown said. The current surcharge rate is $6.50 per 1,000 gallons, based on water usage in the household.
Chairman Bill Lawhead said the sewage system expenses and surcharges relate only to those residents who are served by the sewage collection system operated by Clearfield Municipal Authority, and are separate from the township’s budget.
Secretary Barb Shaffner presented two invoices from CMA for reimbursement of the township’s portion of fines from the state Department of Environmental Protection issued for Sanitary Sewer overflow events due to stormwater infiltration into the Hyde sewage collection system. The supervisors approved to pay the invoices, totaling $3,600, pending engineer’s review and approval.
The supervisors approved reimbursement of sewage surcharges totaling $789 for a previously approved sewer exoneration.
The supervisors approved a Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance (LERTA) application for Sheetz for planned total alterations of the Sheetz store No. 252 on Shawville-Clearfield Highway.
Code Enforcement Officer Debra Finkbeiner reported the building permit application was approved for the project, which will bring the store up to the same standards as newly constructed Sheetz stores.
Finkbeiner said the store will be enlarged from approximately 4,200 square feet to more than 6,000 square feet, and will include a seating area and new canopies for the fuel pumps. She added the store will continue to be open with a temporary modular facility.
A representative from Sheetz said with the approval of the building permit, construction will begin in the next 30 days.
Finkbeiner reported she’s been checking homes with swimming pools regarding building permits. She said residents with swimming pools in place need to contact the township office for building permits in order to be in compliance with safety codes. She added the fee for the building permit to ensure the safety of the pool is small compared to the possible loss of life or loss of insurance coverage.
Finkbeiner said those in violation of not obtaining building permits for pools can be ticketed and fined $25. She noted another violation is to drain a pool and let the pool structure lay, which can be considered trash, and invites mosquitoes.
Lawhead added [building code enforcement for swimming pools] is not something new the township has instituted, but is a state requirement under the Uniform Construction Code that the township is enforcing.
Finkbeiner also advises residents that burning of trash over weekends will still be enforced, noting that County Control notifies the Code Enforcement office of violations. She said fines will be issued.
Finkbeiner further noted residents with outdoor furnaces need to contact her office to be sure the furnaces are in compliance regarding safety and nuisance, or violations will be ticketed.
Roadmaster Ron Woodling reported paving of township roads has been delayed but will resume Wednesday, with completion of Mount Joy Road and continuing at Golden Rod.
Woodling said the township road crew has been repairing storm damage to local roads, with Bowman’s Hill being the next major repair.
The supervisors tabled a decision on purchase of a new truck, pending pricing from local dealers. Brown said he’d like to see the purchase awarded to a local dealer, and have local service. The supervisors agreed they’d call a special meeting to decide on the truck purchase once the additional information was obtained.
The supervisors gave tentative approval for the Hyde Fire Company drivers list, pending verification of certain drivers for insurance purposes.
Shaffner reported that Hyde Fire Company hasn’t submitted their parade list. It was also noted that prior approval must be obtained for passengers in fire equipment during parades, for insurance purposes.
The supervisors approved an application for Real Estate Tax Exemption for a disabled veteran.