Snow plagues Hegins Township
Published: March 4, 2010
Font size: [A] [A] [A]
VALLEY VIEW – When snow storms strike Hegins Township, complaints seem to snowball as well. The supervisors addressed several issues concerning snow emergencies during Monday evening’s meeting.
When the township initiates a snow emergency, all vehicle owners are required to move their vehicles from Maple Street in Valley View and Chestnut Street in Hegins. The vehicles are to remain off the streets until the township has lifted the emergency.
“Many times we have people bringing their vehicles back soon after the snow plow goes by,” said Supervisor Vicki Harman. “This should not be, we need the vehicles cleared until the township gives the ok for them to come back.”
In order to help assist with parking, the township supervisors have received permission for the public to park at Trinity Lutheran Church parking lot, and the Hegins Fire Company, and the west end of the Township parking lot, only during the snow emergency. They are working on securing other locations.
“Vehicles may only park at these locations during the snow emergency, when it is lifted, the vehicles must be removed,” said Harman.
Residents are reminded that snow emergencies are posted on Channel 27, 8, 21 and channel 18 on the Comcast cable. They are also broadcast on T-102, Love 99, and Y-106. The announcement is also posted on Channel 16.
Citizens who have fire hydrants located on their properties are encouraged to be courteous and keep the fire hydrant visible.
Road Foreman Craig Coleman is asking that people be courteous and have patience while driving on the roads during a snow storm. He reminds motorists that a yellow flashing light on the plow truck warns motorists to slow down, take caution and be prepared to stop.
Township workers have noticed several unlicensed and unregistered vehicles that are parked on the snow emergency route. Hegins Township Police Chief Steve Lohr said he will contact the owners of the vehicles and ask them to be removed.
Resident Henry Ney, asked the supervisors if they could require persons parked on Route 25 to also move their vehicles during a snow storm.
“We have no jurisdiction over Route 25,” said Harman. “That’s a state route and we can’t designate that as a snow emergency route.”
Residents who have a problem with state roads are encouraged to contact Bill Murray at 570-385-7812 or 570-385-7815.
Zoning report
Zoning officer Al Swab told the supervisors no building or zoning permits were issued in the month of February, but he did have an announcement to make.
Anyone attending a zoning hearing that has an odor of alcohol on their breath, or who is being loud and obnoxious will be asked to leave the meeting.
Code Enforcement
Supervisor Chad Richards questioned why there is no code enforcement report presented. Richards said he felt that Adam Franke who is the code enforcement officer, should be present at the meetings. Richards also asked if Franke was ever given a job description or whether he is aware of any duties he should be doing.
“Franke was hired on as needed basis,” said Harman. “We can make him a list of things we would like him to check out and I will start putting code enforcement on the agenda.”
Richards also questioned how are people to contact the code enforcement officer. Harman said anyone who has a complaint should contact the township office at 570-682-9133 and Franke will be contacted.
Windmills
Resident Michael Begis aksed if the supervisors have decided to adopt an ordinance regarding windmills or where they stood on that issue.
Township Solicitor David Rattigan said he has been doing research on the topic. According to Rattigan, under the township’s current zoning, the windmills would not be permitted on top of the mountain. He said the only permitted place in the township would be the land located behind Eashelmans and Tobash’s in the industrial zone and on Dell Road near the former Penn Reel.
“The top of the mountain would not be a permitted use and they would need to apply for a variance,” said Rattigan.
“Is the township prepared to take up the fight against windmills,” asked Begis. “Can’t the township adopt a stand alone ordinance against windmills?”
Resident Bruce Klouser asked if the windmills make a lot of noise and what type of money would the township be receiving by allowing windmills to be built.
“According to figures that were given to us by Rausch Creek, the township would be receiving approximately $6,900 per year,” says Rattigan. “The school district would be receiving more because their millage is much higher than ours. According to the figures, the school would be receiving approximately $58,200 per year.”
Begis says it sounds like they are putting a price tag on the health and welfare of the people who live along the mountain, and he says the windmills do make noise, almost like a throbbing sound.
The supervisors authorized Rattigan to do more research and look into making another ordinance.
Reward fund
A reward fund to assist in the arrest and conviction of the recent arsons is being set up at the Gratz National Bank. Persons who would like to donate to the fund should contact the bank.
Act 537
Supervisors heard from several residents who were not happy with the advertisement of the last Act 537 plan meeting. Residents claimed they weren’t aware there was a meeting.
A meeting was held February 11, and only four people were in attendance. During that meeting, it was announced that Hubley Township would like to come onboard with Hegins Township in securing a sewer project.
Hegins Township Engineer Alfred Benesch and Company will conduct a survey of Hubley Twp. to determine the cost effectiveness of bringing them on board.
“I was not aware that there was a meeting,” said Delores Zerbe. “This is going to be a big financial impact on the people of this community and I think there needs to be more input.”
Supervisor Harman said if it’s more costly to Hegins Township, they will not do it.
The supervisors said they are considering making the next meeting begin at 7 p.m. so that more people can attend.
Resident and former supervisor Mark Zerbe said he feels there should be a separate authority for the sewer.
“There should be new people to form a sewer authority,” said Zerbe. “I don’t think the water authority board should run everything. Look how our water rates went up in Hegins Township when Hubley came on. Just remember you people were voted in to protect us.”
