Blair Township supervisors table Dollar General plan, reject sidewalk waiver and address fireworks complaints

Blair Township’s Board of Supervisors on July 9 tabled a proposed Dollar General development and a request to reduce required parking, rejected a sidewalk-waiver request, heard residents’ complaints about fireworks, approved routine financial disbursements and a property variance, and swore in a new police officer.

The Planning Commission had recommended tabling Larson Design Group’s preliminary Dollar General plan for 16474 Dunnings Highway. Eric Banks, representing Stiffler McGraw, told supervisors there were outstanding engineer comments and questioned the developer’s parking calculation that would reduce required spaces from 54 to 33. Chairman Paul Amigh moved to table the land-development plan and the parking-waiver request; both motions passed with two yes votes. The board voted to reject the requested waiver for sidewalks.

Resident Richard Altiero told the board fireworks set off around his property during July 4 celebrations left burn marks on his porch, debris on his roof and vehicles, and posed a fire risk because of dry weather. "There were burn marks on my porch, and debris on my roof, cars, and on my lawn," Altiero said, urging the township to ban fireworks. Solicitor Patrick Fanelli responded that "it is not lawful for a municipality to make a law that would be stricter than the laws of Pennsylvania," and said a general municipal ban or a rule increasing the minimum distance beyond state law would not be permitted. Chief Roger Peacock said police can increase patrols if notified and asked residents to call 911 so officers can witness violations and issue citations.

On financial and administrative matters, the board approved June disbursements totaling $165,892.06 (payroll $29,703.40; General Fund disbursements and payroll liabilities $78,284.44; Liquid Fuels $2,003.28; Capital Reserve $575.00; Local Services Tax $55,325.94) and certified the Treasury Balance of $1,978,385.19 and Specific Service Investment Account funds of $168,710.06. Keller Engineers’ request to waive Subdivision and Land Development (SALDO) review fees totaling $400 for Reservoir Road wastewater pump station reviews was approved.

The board approved a recorded variance agreement for Scott and Holly Buchanan to place a 20-by-12-foot shed within setback areas at 1202 Robin Lane after Solicitor Fanelli found the agreement acceptable for recording at the Blair County Courthouse. Road Foreman John Reed’s request to change road crew daily hours from 7:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. was tabled pending more information.

Officer Bryce Martellacci, who completed training at the IUP Police Academy on June 18 and began duty June 24, was sworn in by District Judge Paula Aigner. Chief Peacock also reported the delivery of a new police car and receipt of laptops and equipment funded by a county grant at no cost to the township; Road Foreman Reed said a new boom mower would be delivered July 11 and paid from Capital Reserve funds with partial reimbursement from a DCED Local Shares grant.

Votes at a glance: the board approved the June minutes; approved June disbursements and treasury balances; approved SALDO fee waiver ($400) for Reservoir Road pump stations; tabled Larson Design Group’s Dollar General plan and the parking-waiver request; rejected the sidewalk-waiver request for the Dollar General application; tabled the Greendown Acres expansion; approved the Buchanan variance; tabled the road-hours change request; and adjourned to executive session. Each recorded motion passed by a 2–0 yes vote where noted.

The board adjourned to executive session at 6:36 p.m. with no further public business reported.