Manchester Township adopts civil infraction ordinance and anti-blight & anti-nuisance ordinance

Manchester Township Hall

by Sybil Kolon

Supervisor Ron Milkey, clerk Danell Proctor and trustee John Seefeld were absent from the May 8 meeting. Treasurer Kim Thompson ran the meeting. With trustees Lisa Moutinho, Mike Fusilier and Krista Jarvis, a quorum was present to conduct business. Also present was fire chief Bill Scully, zoning administrator Carl Macomber, and a few other members of the public.

Fire Chief Scully provided the monthly report for April. There were 41 calls for service, including 23 EMS responses, seven fires and one HAZMAT incident. Scully has restarted an effort to have officers from nearby departments to meet periodically to coordinate grant and training opportunities and to keep communications open between departments who often assist each other. The new fire truck may be ready in July.

Zoning administrator Carl Macomber provided the board with an update of April, which was quite busy. One new house and three barns/garages have been permitted. Zoning violations were issued for two unsafe house violations and one continuing blight issue on Lakeside Drive.

Trustee Mike Fusilier provided a summary of the planning commission meeting last week. No public hearing was held on the updated camping ordinance or use of cargo containers for storage, as they are pending attorney review. The planning consultant was absent so there was little discussion about the land preservation effort other than a plan to prepare for a public meeting in the fall.

Thompson provided an update on behalf of Supervisor Milkey. The budget workshop will be held on June 19 and the budget hearing on June 26. Both meetings will start at 7pm. New bills have been introduced in the legislature to take away the ability of local townships to regulate sand and gravel mining pits and give that power to the state. Milkey is asking people to contact their state senator and representative to oppose those bills.

The board voted to adopt a municipal civil infraction ordinance and related resolution to establish fines. The board also voted to adopt an anti-blight and anti-nuisance ordinance. These ordinance updates provide the township with the ability to better enforce infractions if violations are not corrected. Civil infraction fees start at $250 for the first offense, $400 for the second offense, and $500 for the third offense.

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.