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Residents press Plains Township over Crescent Drive noise, drainage and property upkeep
Summary
During public comment at the June 11 meeting, residents complained about persistent loud music at 16 Crescent Drive, erosion at a Riverview Drive storm drain, potholes and widespread property-maintenance problems; the board said staff will follow up and the matter will be discussed at upcoming work sessions.
Residents used the public-comment portion of the Plains Township Board of Commissioners’ June 11 meeting to press the board on neighborhood problems including loud music at a Crescent Drive home, a deteriorating storm drain on Riverview Drive and multiple overgrown or poorly maintained properties.
Mr. Drozda, speaking with his wife, said repeated complaints about loud music at 16 Crescent Drive have affected their health and daily life. "They are blasting the music right at us," he said, and asked whether the noise ordinance can be amended to include decibel levels. Chairman Peter J. Biscontini said any ordinance amendment would be the board’s decision but that enforcement rests with responding officers: "It will always be at the discretion of the officer to cite someone." Chief Binker added that the police are not the only enforcement authority and that zoning and fire staff also handle ordinance enforcement.
Officer Walsh, who responded to a recent call, recounted that he warned a resident to calm down and said, "I asked her to calm down or she would receive a disorderly conduct citation," and reported that the music was turned down after officers spoke with the homeowner. Mr. Drozda disputed the officers’ assessment of the noise level and said his own measurements had shown higher decibel readings during calls.
Jim Dankovitch told the board a storm drain in front of his Riverview Drive property has eroded and exposed a pipe; he said prior discussions about an easement stalled and expressed worry about foundation impacts. Commissioner Robert Sax suggested asking the Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority (WVSA) to inspect the site and staff agreed to follow up.
Other speakers raised related concerns: Scott Stefanski thanked the township for new speed-limit signage but urged the board to address potholes near 16–18 Crescent Drive and suggested designating an ongoing nuisance at 16 Crescent; Tom Bridgen urged cleaning a clogged ditch on Gail Drive; and Carla Shupp catalogued overgrown lots, abandoned properties and alleged drug activity at a neighboring house, saying, "I can't live like this." The board said it has contracted additional help for enforcement and that remediation can take time.
Board members told residents they would discuss noise-ordinance options at upcoming work sessions and asked staff to inspect drainage and property-maintenance complaints. The board closed the meeting at 8:00 p.m.; the next regular meeting is scheduled for July 6 at 7:00 p.m.
