DUBOIS – DuBois City Council on Monday night voted to approve a drafted knox box ordinance that will now go to the solicitor for further review and revision.
Knox boxes are emergency key boxes outside buildings that are accessible by the fire department. This allows first responders to enter buildings more quickly in the event the owner/key holder can’t be reached.
Under the ordinance, knox boxes would be required on: existing commercial buildings; existing multi-family residential buildings; and locked gates/driveways for commercial buildings.
When asked, Fire Chief Tony Roy noted that knox boxes are already required as part of any new building construction in DuBois City.
Roy said property owners will select the design because it will come at their expense. He said lower-end knox boxes range in price from $400 to $450.
Knox box installation is an effort being made by the fire department, Roy said, and would give building access to fire chiefs and captains.
However, Police Chief Blaine Clark said access would not be limited to just the fire department, but to law and code enforcement officers, as well.
Clark said knox boxes are especially helpful to officers responding to domestic violence calls.
Also, on Monday night, City Manager John “Herm” Suplizio announced a public meeting will be held on the proposed consolidation of DuBois City and Sandy Township on March 16.
It will take place, from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., at the DuBois Country Club, with telephone and live stream options also available to residents and other stakeholders unable to attend.
Suplizio said the public presentation of the joint consolidation study is expected to last 45 minutes of the overall 120-minute meeting.
He said the joint committee will not have an open microphone to accept public comments during the meeting. Public comments are being accepted via e-mail at study@duboispa.gov.