Jul 7, 2010 By Rebekah Sungala 3 min read

PERRY TWP. – Township supervisors voted to adopt an ordinance that will fine people who fail to keep their grass cut. At Tuesday’s meeting, supervisors A.J. Boni, Janet Galla and Clarence Johnson unanimously agreed to adopt the ordinance, which takes effect immediately.

The ordinance states that people who have residential property where the grass exceeds 8 inches will be cited and taken before Magisterial District Judge Dwight Shaner.

A property owner, if found guilty of a first offense, will be fined $100 plus cost of prosecution and attorney fees.

A second offense stipulates a fine of at least $150, and a third offense will cost the offender $200. Every offense after the third offense, according to the ordinance, will cost the property owner up to $200 per day, if found guilty, until the matter has been resolved.

Township solicitor Don McCue said the ordinance also gives the township authority to hire an outside company to have the grass cut at an offending property if supervisors deem it necessary.

The property owner will be required to pay the cost of having the grass cut and will also be charged a $150 administrative fee by the township, he said.

The ordinance does not apply to rural areas such as farms, grazing pastures, wildlife refuges and other agricultural areas.

Supervisors said most people take pride in their property and keep their grass cut and yards well cared for, but noted that there are a few who regularly fail to maintain their property.

Boni said the township has enough of its own work to do and can’t be cutting grass for people who fail to take care of their own yards.

“We have enough of our own grass to cut. We don’t need to be cutting other people’s,” he said.

In other business, supervisors said a building being constructed to hold the township’s salt supply is near completion.

The township is building the 40-by-60 foot rock salt building on the 3.5 acres of Old Foundry property located behind the municipal building on Township Drive in Star Junction.

The building was purchased from ShelterLogic of Watertown, Conn., and the township is primarily constructing the building on its own in order to save money.

Eventual plans from the Old Foundry property include construction of a new municipal complex that will house the township offices, a garage and a multi-purpose room.

As for other matters, supervisors voted to advertise an ordinance that will require mandatory water connections throughout the township as public water is made available.

Supervisors plan to vote on the ordinance at next month’s meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. Aug. 3.