Prison receives special permission to burn items
LUZERNE TWP. – The State Correctional Institution at Fayette was granted special permission Tuesday to burn wooden pallets on a day other than Saturday by the Luzerne Township supervisors. Following a request from township emergency management coordinator Bob Miller, supervisors Ted Kollar and Gregg Downer approved a variance to the township burning ordinance to allow the prison to burn on Tuesdays. Supervisor Ron DeSalvo was absent.
The township’s burning ordinance allows burning only on Saturdays. Miller said the prison employees plan to follow all state or county burning ordinances and plan to use a pit for burning. He said the reason the variance was requested for a weekday is because of the increased costs in overtime to burn on Saturdays.
The action prompted a couple of the residents in attendance to question why the prison is getting special consideration. Kollar said variances have been granted in the past, depending on the circumstances.
Miller said if any individual wants to burn on a day other than Saturday, they should ask permission from the supervisors, and it probably can be worked out. He said the prison is burning damaged wooden pallets, and the good ones are recycles.
Resident Cheryl Qualters then reported that as someone who lives in close proximity to the prison, she has not received any electronic telephone calls as a part of the emergency notification system the prison has implemented. Miller said he would look into the situation.
Miller also reported that the supervisors are cooperating in a move to save money on premiums on worker’s compensation costs by implementing a safety committee. He said separate meetings will soon be held with the supervisors and firefighters.
In agenda items, the supervisors voted to purchase a 2005 Ford F550 dump truck with snowplow from Woltz and Wind Ford for $52,742. Kollar said the piggyback purchase does not require a bid.
The supervisors reported a recycling container has been placed at the Hiller Volunteer Fire Department. Miller said the container is on the alley across from Fayette Street. Downer reported that the recycling container at the township building has been moved outside the fence because the gate is locked at 3 p.m.
The supervisors heard that there have been numerous complaints about the local fire departments adding lettering to their trucks that are “personal and not fire company related.” The complaints have been that residents have donated to the fire departments and feel the donations were used for personal use. The supervisors agreed to send letters to the fire departments regarding the issue.
The supervisors adopted the comprehensive plan for Luzerne and Redstone townships.
The supervisors also heard from a couple Hiller residents regarding complaints about teenagers playing basketball in the streets, an accumulation of coal ash and drainage issues. The supervisors agreed to look into the complaints.