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Pequea Twp. planners to meet on Wednesdays
BY ELAINE J. JONES, Correspondent
Pequea supervisors announced Jan. 16 that the township's planning commission meetings will be held the last Wednesday of the month beginning at 6:30 p.m. Previously, the planning commission met on the first Thursday of the month.
The supervisors also addressed a number of other old and new business items at their first meeting of the year.
A nuisance ordinance enacted last summer will be put to use after the board authorized enforcement on a property owner.
Chairman Harry Lehman said the action stems from "complaints about the smell and trash" accumulated at 2180 Millersville Road.
Township officials have made numerous attempts to resolve the issue with the homeowners, who are in a "divorce situation," according to zoning officer Mark Deimler, who said notices by mail have not been acknowledged.
Although the property is not condemned, the trash buildup presents a "health/safety issue," Deimler said, and parts of the building have a coating of green algae.
The board authorized the township to remove the trash and assert a lien for all costs associated with its efforts.
Supervisor Jay Reynolds suggested giving the property owners "one last courtesy" warning before proceeding with legal action, but Deimler said he has little faith they will cooperate.
In another matter at the meeting, the board came to a unanimous decision regarding public comments during meetings.
Lehman made the recommendation that the township follow the guidelines suggested by the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors, which limits a person's public comments to three minutes and dictates how and when such comments can be made.
In a township with many outspoken residents, the board members acknowledged the decision may not be well received.
"There is flexibility, but it prevents meetings from getting out of hand," Lehman said.
On the recommendation of Reynolds, property owners with professional presenters will be given the first chance to speak.
The police report, delivered by Tim Ferrell, revealed an 88 percent clearance rate for first-class crimes by the Southern Regional Police Department, which patrols both Pequea and Conestoga townships. Cpl. Tim Berger recently was named the Officer of the Year by the police commission at a special recognition dinner.
Also, the board presented Conner Martin with a certificate of achievement. Conner was named Pennsylvania Youth Trapper of the Year for 2012. He spoke about his award and controlling the local fox population.
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