Jay Township makes changes to ordinances

WEEDVILLE - A few more language changes were made to the outdoor furnace ordinance and the nuisance ordinance in Jay Township.

The supervisors should charge a fee for each junk car on personal property to deter residents from accumulating a large number of junk cars, resident Fran Gustafson said during Thursday's Jay Township Supervisors meeting.

Supervisor Bob Coppolo said a fee would be set by a resolution of the supervisors. As long as residents cooperate there wouldn't be a need to charge a fee for permits, but if it is abused, than a fee could be added to act as a deterrent, Coppolo said.

Definitions of the various types of vehicles were added to the proposed nuisance ordinance. Coppolo used the definitions of a motor vehicle, and farm and construction vehicles from the vehicle code. Farm and construction equipment will be exempt from the nuisance ordinance.

Language was changed in the proposed outdoor furnace ordinance, as well.
Instead of saying a "public hearing" will be held in the event of an appeal it will be changed to a "public meeting." The supervisors have had problems finding people to serve on appeals boards in the past, Coppolo said.

In the event a permit would be rejected it would go back before the board of supervisors for a second review.

The length of time allowed to hold that meeting would also be changed from 30 days to 45 days since the length of time before the meeting following the complaint may be longer than 30 days.

The ordinance regulates chimney height, setbacks and the type of items that may be burned.

The proposed ordinance is available for public review at the township building.
The issue that had arisen with Teaberry Street is no longer a problem. The land owner had said he wanted the area being used as a turn around back. This created a problem for the township because without the turn around, it could not turn its snow plows around and therefore wouldn't be able to plow the street. If it could not plow the street, it would have had to abandon the road.

Supervisor Murray Lilley said the land owner has said he is not going to do anything with the area unless he sells the property so it is no longer an issue that needs to be addressed.

The supervisors will look at the township's prescription drug coverage plan next year. During the meeting, resident Nadine Pirazzi asked how much the township is spending on this item.

The township spends about $12,000 a year on prescriptions for employees. The employees pay $3 for generic prescriptions and $7 for regular prescriptions.


About 15 years ago, the supervisors decided that instead of having a prescription plan it was more economical to pay for the prescriptions. At that time, employees paid $1 for generics and $3 for regular prescriptions. Several years ago that amount was increased and the township did add a prescription plan, however more and more prescriptions are being taken off of the plan.

In other township news:
* The supervisors approved allowing two public safety radio towers to be placed in the township.
* The supervisors will hold their reorganization meeting at 7 p.m. Jan. 5 in the township building. The regular meeting will be at 7 p.m. Jan. 22.
* The supervisors approved the Right-to-Know policy, which falls under the state's Right-to-Know policy. Debbie Leonard, township secretary, was designated as the open records officer and is responsible for reviewing requests for open records and providing them.


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