Feb 14, 2008 By Steve Ferris 3 min read

LEMONT FURNACE – North Union Township supervisors agreed to advertise for a new code enforcement officer after restructuring the position. The new officer would be charged with enforcing the International Property Maintenance Code, which contains regulations for junk vehicles, swimming pools, lawns and maintaining houses, Supervisor Curtis Matthews said at the board’s monthly meeting Tuesday.

“This is a big problem in the township,” Matthews said.

An office with a phone and a computer for property record searches will be built in the township building for the new officer, he said.

The officer will give the supervisors regular reports on his or her activities, Matthews said.

Thomas Kumor, chairman of the board of supervisors, there are a couple deteriorating houses in every neighborhood in the township and the number of issues overwhelmed the previous part-time officer.

He said some houses have been demolished, but more code enforcement is needed.

“We need some additional strength,” Kumor said.

He said Uniontown code enforcement administrator and fire chief Myron Nypaver helped prepare the job description.

Kumor said the supervisors might try to negotiate a deal with the city to have Nypaver help the township’s new officer get acclimated to the job.

He said he would like the officer to be a full-time employee.

Supervisor Robert Tupta said hiring two part-time officers is a possibility.

In unrelated business, the supervisors agreed to advertise for asphalt and seal coating for this year’s paving projects.

Matthews said Braddock View Drive and streets in the Hopwood area would be repaved and seal coating would be applied to alleys in Homewood Terrace and on Mount Braddock Road. He said seal coating adds years of life to roads.

Bids will be opened on March 10.

Bids also will be sought to install a fence around a new Pony League baseball field at Oliver Park.

Matthews said the field was graded and grass was planted over the last couple years at what would be the third field at the park.

The supervisors approved a five-year contract with Allegheny Power for streetlights.

Matthews said the township currently pays $5,719 a month for streetlights and the power company plans to replace mercury vapor light bulbs with high-pressure sodium bulbs that are brighter and more energy efficient. The contact covers maintenance and bulb replacement, he said.

In other business, Kathy Kumor of Steps to a Healthier Fayette County offered the supervisors free signs for parks and ball fields asking people not to use tobacco products.

She said children copy adult behavior and the signs are intended to dissuade adults from using tobacco where children play.

The signs say: “Young Lungs at Play” and “This is a tobacco-free zone.”

The supervisors said they would contact her if they want the signs.

Also, Grand Street resident Jerry Florkevich asked the supervisors to resurface the street.

He said a recent water line project left the street in poor condition.

Tupta said a water line was installed under the center of the street and it needs resurfaced.

He said he would contact the water company that installed the line.