Dunbar Twp. residents question burn ban
DUNBAR TWP. — After township supervisors were given an official warning by a DEP inspector in March, burning has ceased at the township building.
According to Township Supervisor Chairman John Tabaj, Dunbar Township had become the “dumping station” for Fayette County.
“It got out of control,” Tabaj said. “Really, it was bad. We were the dumping station for the whole county.”
Tabaj said people would bring numerous items to burn at the township building, including tires, paint cans and roofing shingles.
“That’s what got us in trouble,” Tabaj said. “We had a whole mountain back there.”
However, after receiving the citation, supervisors put a ban into effect, which several residents questioned on Thursday.
“We need to find out what we have to do get back to burning again,” Rick Martin said. “There has to be a way to get around it.”
Solicitor Tim Witt said that this is not possible because a DEP regulation trumps any township burning ordinance.
“The township is at the mercy of DEP,” Witt said. “DEP sets the baseline for what you can and cannot do. If you’re violating DEP’s regulations, DEP can come in and cite you.”
Martin also asked if it was possible for the supervisors to apply for a grant to obtain a mulching machine.
“There’s got to be something done about it,” Martin said. “We need to find a way around this to get rid of our brush.”
However, another township resident, John Welsh, said there have been problems in the past with garbage smoldering for four to five hours.
“This is ridiculous,” Welsh said. “Some people have no knowledge of what they’re doing with fire.”
Tabaj said the mandatory garbage collection, which was recently adopted, will hopefully do away with those problems.
Township supervisors decided in July to seek a single contracted garbage hauler while allowing residents to remain with their in-place collector.
Specifications for potential bidders will be advertised early next week, Witt said, and will also be placed at the township building for public inspection.
The bid specifications will alert potential bidders to what the township wants.
Supervisor Secretary/Treasurer Ron Keller said the bid specifications do not include a franchise fee.
“We’re trying to get the lowest price we can for the customer,” Keller said.
In other action, supervisors approved the solicitor to prepare the 2012-13 fire contracts with Dunbar, West Leisenring and DL&V fire departments.