MAR LIN - Ordinance violators in Norwegian Township have been warned.
"If you want to violate an ordinance, you're going to pay and you're going to pay dearly," said Supervisor Bob Kirwan at a supervisors' meeting Monday.
The township supervisors adopted two new ordinances at that meeting. One was dealing with the International Property Maintenance Code. The other amended the nuisance ordinance providing for an increase in fees.
"No more Mr. Nice Guy," Kirwan said.
The property maintenance code adopted spells out fines for property maintenance violations. Those violations range from $500 to a first offense, $1,000 for a second, $2,000 for a third. Other violations could be up to $4,000. The zoning officer, a police officer, fire chief or third party inspector can enforce the fines, solicitor B.J. Evans said.
"What that will basically do is it'll increase the tools that the township has to enforce code violations including demolition orders to clean up properties that are in very bad condition," Evans said.
The second ordinance relates to amending the nuisance ordinance that dates back to 1988. It increases fines for violation to no less than $500 and no more than $1,000, an increase from $300. One woman in attendance asked the definition of nuisance. Evans said it covered a wide range of violations related to property.
In other news, budget meetings will be held Nov. 9, 12 and 15 about 8:30 a.m. Additional ones may be held Nov. 19 and 20, if needed.
The supervisors voted to accept the resignation of Cindy Petchulis, a member of the planning and zoning commission. Petchulis resigned due to other obligations. Anyone interested in applying can contact the township office at 570-622-8638.
The township municipal building is behind schedule. It was due to be completed by Oct. 31, Kirwan said. A 30-day extension was granted to complete such things as a door, wall, ceiling, tiling the floor in the new addition and installing drywall and dividers in the current meeting room, Kirwan said.
"They should have everything complete by the end of the month," he said.
The cost is about $195,000, a decrease from the bid awarded for the project at $222,955 in June. Work started in August.
Overall, the project includes the addition - a conversion of about 20 by 40 feet of the current meeting room into an office area - and construction of a small lobby area, changes to the hallway and other small renovations.
A planning and zoning department will be set up in the current supervisors' office after they move to the addition.
Also, the township could refinance a loan for the sewer system and save money. The current loan is through the Rural Utilities Service through the government. By switching to First National Bank of Minersville, the township could get a rate of 2.6 percent instead of the approximate 5 percent now. Supervisor Stanley Petchulis said the township could save about $150,000 through the life of the loan by switching. Supervisor Leo Grace agreed.
The state Department of Community and Economic Development must approve the financing. A decision could be made by DCED by the end of the month, Evans said.