Foster Township officials continued the conversation about reducing blight during a short supervisors meeting Monday evening.
Supervisor Chairman George Hocker took a few minutes to clarify for residents the new blight ordinance.
He said that when a violation is found, the alleged violator will first receive a notice. That person will have five days to take action to fix the issue; if no action is taken by the end of the period, the township can issue a $25 fine.
The resident is then given a second five-day period to fix the issue. If no action is taken again, the person may receive a $300 citation at the district judge office, Hocker said.
Supervisor Gus Crissman noted that township officials did their annual road inspection and blight survey a couple of weeks ago, and he felt the blight situation is improving.
“I would like to commend township residents,” said Crissman. “A lot are looking a lot better this year than last.”
However, Crissman added there are still some blight issues. He said the township will again display its “Wall of Shame” — pictures of blighted properties in the township.
“We’re going to pursue (violations) a little stronger than we have in the past,” Crissman said, noting that if some people would just keep their lawns mowed, it would help. He said homeowners could get a surprising amount done if they spend half an hour outside every day for a few days. They’d be “amazed what could get done in a week if they just had the initiative and the pride to do that.”
Hocker asked that anyone who calls one of the supervisors with a complaint at least leave a return phone number so township officials can get the information they need to follow-up with the complaint.
He referred to a recent voicemail message that cut out, and said he did not have enough information to do anything about the complaint. He doesn’t want residents to think their complaints are being neglected.
Crissman read the engineer report on behalf of Stiffler Mcgraw.
Contract work is complete in a sewer grouting project, and, because the bid came in well under the estimate, the township had additional money in the budget to add more grouting in the Fairview Heights area. That work is to be complete by June 29.
Regarding a sanitary sewer relocation on Derrick Road over Foster Brook, supervisors approved a final pay estimate to Bob Cummins Construction for $1,513.45.
Crissman also mentioned a $422,000 Small Water and Sewer Program grant the township applied for through the state Department of Community & Economic Development, to be used for televising and cleaning existing sewer lines.
No residents came forward to speak during the public discussion portion — a rare occurrence at the well attended Foster Township meetings.
The supervisors passed motions to apply for McKean County Liquid Fuels funds, as well as to hire Steven Barth as a full-time road and sewer employee at $15/hour, effective Monday.
Supervisors held an executive session May 17 to discuss interviews conducted on May 10, Hocker reported.
The next regular meeting day is 7 p.m. July 2.
