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Aston to advertise committee and property-maintenance code updates as residents press enforcement on sightlines and drainage
Summary
The board authorized advertising ordinances to update township committee listings and to align the property-maintenance code with a newer edition; residents used public comment to press for action on sidewalk obstructions, sight-line hazards at 5 Morgan Road, and drainage damage to a property, and officials described current enforcement practice and next steps for staff follow-up.
Aston commissioners on June 17 authorized the township solicitor to advertise two ordinances: one updating the township’s committee listings and liaisons, and a second to amend the township’s property-maintenance code to a more current edition (staff said the township is moving to align with the 2021 edition used in the statewide Uniform Construction Code).
During public comment, multiple residents raised specific enforcement concerns. Nicholas Penza asked what sections would be amended; the solicitor replied the committee ordinance will list committees accurately (for example adding EMS, separating police and fire) and that the property-maintenance update will replace older referenced editions (2004/2006 referenced in staff remarks) with the 2021 standard where appropriate.
A lengthy public exchange focused on conditions at 5 Morgan Road, where neighbors said a chain-link fence and overgrown shrubs block part of the sidewalk and reduce sight lines at the Hidden Valley Road intersection. A resident said the sidewalk is narrow in places and that visibility for turning drivers could be dangerous; commissioners described the township’s enforcement practice: cracked sidewalks are typically addressed at property transfer and the township does not generally require private property owners to remove vegetation solely to widen sidewalks. "We don't make a practice of doing that," Presiding officer Commissioner Higgins said, explaining the township’s policy of consistent handling of vegetation and sidewalk repairs, while also noting staff would follow up and the police would check the intersection sight line on request.
Separately, a resident reported property drainage and washout damage they said came from street runoff; public works staff and the public works director said they would review the photographs and follow up after the meeting.
The board voted unanimously to authorize advertising of the committee ordinance and the property-maintenance code amendment; those will return in future meetings after the solicitor and staff prepare the legally required advertisement and draft ordinance language.
