Jun 21, 2002 By Melissa Glisan 3 min read

SPRINGHILL TWP. – A question from a resident sparked a discussion about code enforcement Thursday during the township supervisors’ meeting. Resident Linda Headly, representing a group of residents, expressed concerns about the township code enforcement officer, who has been in her neighborhood in the past few weeks.

Supervisors said the officer was in Headly’s neighborhood responding to two written complaints, which were legitimate and have been in the resolution process more than a year.

Regarding one written complaint, Headly noted that the owner of the property moved almost a year ago because the upkeep was too much for an older woman living alone.

“She moved out, and within six months people started dumping stuff there. I think it’s a shame that she is expected to clean that up,” Headly said.

The board stressed that the officer responds only to written requests and does not “go looking for things” in the communities.

However, Headly claimed the officer had come to her home and informed her that burning was illegal in the state and that she had to get rid of her burn barrel.

“He told me it was illegal to burn,” she said, noting that she participates in the township’s voluntary recycling program and burns only brush, yard waste and paper.

Supervisor Brent Robinson noted that in this case, the code officer was incorrect. In the township, residents are permitted to burn every day but Sunday.

Supervisor Damon Hellen noted that last year a resident was cited for illegal burning, but that case involved the burning of shingles, tires and fiberglass.

“It looked like a house on fire. There wasn’t anyone even with it,” he said. In that case, he said, the owner was fined.

The only other time, that burning is curtailed is when the county announces a ban due to drought, Robinson added.

The supervisors also conducted the following business:

– Opened bids but delayed awarding contracts for road maintenance materials and for the sale of three township tractors. The board voted to table awarding contracts until next month in order to review the bids.

– Reminded residents that the township signed an animal control contract last month with Noah’s Ark of Fayette County. The board noted that the township had worked with the Fayette County SPCA and a local veterinarian to provide a rabies clinic for residents.

This year, supervisors said, they would ask Noah’s Ark if they would be interested in continuing the program.

– Informed residents that the Dumpster placed at Lover’s Leap over the weekend isn’t a permanent fixture but was instead donated by Allegheny Energy for the annual regional River Sweep program.

Each year, municipalities and volunteers along the Monongahela and Ohio rivers in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia meet to clean the riverbanks. This year, the township had six volunteers, which included the supervisors. Normally, Robinson said, the number of volunteers is low because of the heat, bugs, poison ivy and snakes.

– Announced that the Fayette County hard-to-recycle event will be held Saturday at the Fayette County Fairgrounds, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

– Named Mike Outrich as the township’s alternate sewage enforcement officer.