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Township debates stronger nuisance enforcement after long‑running properties, declines escrow plan after public pushback
Summary
Code Enforcement Officer reported four properties where current nuisance and junk ordinance limits enforcement; the board discussed but did not adopt an ordinance to collect a 10% escrow of insurance proceeds for burned properties after public objections. Supervisors also authorized advertising for a Building Code Official to speed permit turnaround.
Code Enforcement Officer Fred Cecchini told the board he has been working for two years on four properties where nuisance and junk issues persist and current ordinance language limits the township's ability to abate conditions. Cecchini said situations include vacant, unmaintained properties with accumulating garbage and rodent complaints.
The board discussed possible amendments to allow a court‑ordered abatement process where no family or responsible party exists and also considered an ordinance to permit collecting a 10% escrow of insurance proceeds when a house burns to ensure cleanup. Kerry Jobe said the escrow proposal drew objections from residents at the meeting, and supervisors decided not to adopt an escrow ordinance at this time.
Supervisors also voted to advertise to fill the Building Code Official vacancy created by Dave Jobe's resignation; Kerry noted a special meeting will be necessary because of pending permit work that cannot wait a month.
Solicitor Muscante said he will investigate legal limits and options for nuisance abatement and whether certain traffic‑calming devices are permitted on municipal roads. The board did not take final action on changing the nuisance ordinance during the Feb. 18 meeting.
