Zoning officer asks for larger penalty for garbage dumpers
CUMBERLAND TWP. – The township’s zoning officer asked the supervisors Monday to increase the maximum fees assessed to those who violate the municipality’s refuse ordinance. Charlotte Blaker said she repeatedly has cited individuals in Nemacolin and Crucible who refuse to pay for garbage collection and are dumping their garbage throughout the township. She said one resident in particular has been cited four times and twice has paid $300 fines but still refuses to pay for a company to pick up his trash every week.
“We could up the fine or hire someone to pick up the refuse and then put liens on properties as a way of restitution,” she said. “We need to work something out, because people are constantly doing the same thing.”
Blaker said that, including court costs, a citation costs $378, far more than the $10 a month residents pay for garbage collection. She encouraged the supervisors to revise their ordinance, and solicitor Dennis Makel said he would draft something for their review by the April meeting.
The supervisors also approved an agreement with the state Attorney General’s Drug Task Force to include the township police department in the task force. Chairman Homer Nicholson said the township did not join the task force earlier because of liability issues, but after further research, officials determined that the state will cover the officers’ liability during their task force work.
“I think it will be a good thing for the township,” he said.
The official announcement is slated to be made Tuesday at 11 a.m. in the office of Greene County District Attorney Marjorie Fox.
The supervisors approved the hiring of Craig McKenzie as a part-time police officer, at $9 an hour without benefits and a six-month probationary period.
The supervisors also conducted the following business:
– Awarded a contract to Zappi Oil and Gas of Washington for 22,000 gallons of gasoline and 8,000 gallons of low-sulfur diesel fuel, at a total cost of $36,770.
– Adopted a resolution to immediately place into effect the township’s emergency operations plan and adopted a resolution establishing directions for vehicular traffic on certain township roads and streets.
– Approved Carl Barchiesi as township sewage enforcement officer and named Michael Petrus as alternate.
– Authorized Nicholson to serve as official signatory on all documents for the Community Development Program and named Supervisor James Sokol as alternate signatory.