Municipal News
- Last Updated on Sunday, 02 October 2016 12:21
By Miranda Startare
The September 6 Carroll Township Board of Supervisors regular monthly meeting included a lengthy public forum in which a handful of residents registered complaints ranging from high grass and weeds to ducks and skunks.
Resident Bill Danley, who attended the August meeting, updated the Board on his progress in coordinating possible Boy Scout participation in helping disabled residents with grass cutting and trimming. Mr. Danley said that the local Boy Scout director, whom he had contacted, expressed interest in the volunteer efforts and asked for further details.
Any possible volunteer efforts will be coordinated through the Scouts and will not directly involve the township.
Danley also informed the supervisors that his neighbor continues to have a brood of ducks on their property, in violation of township regulations.
Residents Frank and Joyce Mauser-Eckels also addressed the Board concerning neighbors residing in a bank-owned property on Route 2023. According to the couple, the property is in deplorable condition with piles of garbage and three-foot high grass. A can of garbage containing diapers has also spilled and scattered in their yard, with animals regularly dragging the trash throughout the yard.
Carroll Township Police Chief Paul Brand, who is familiar with the residence, explained that the property is owned by a bank, which has not yet evicted the residents. Without a property owner to contact, it creates a difficult in responding to property violations.
Chief Brand assured the residents that he would talk to the occupants about the conditions of the property in an attempt to get them to comply.
Resident Marsha Chew addressed the Board with complaints about a neighboring rental property with tall weeds and grass that is attracting rodents. According to Mrs. Chew, a skunk from the property recently sprayed her dog, who damaged her carpeting from the odors upon entering the house. The couple has spent approximately $400 for pest control services, the replacement of carpeting, and lumber to attempt to block animal access to their property from under the fence line.
Resident Alex Ferguson also addressed the Board about four to five-foot high grass on properties owned by two contractors. According to Mr. Ferguson, the homes are being renovated, but the yards are being neglected, causing a rat problem.
Resident Maya Patch completed the public forum with a complaint about cat and dog waste in her yard, asking the Board to publish a statement in the monthly sewage authority newsletter addressing the issue of stray animals. Mrs. Patch also informed the Board about hearing gunshots in the evening across the road from Carolina Avenue. The Board and Chief of Police told Mrs. Patch to call the station if the shots are heard again.
In other business:
• The township animal control officer, Kimberly Secreet, received eleven calls, issuing eight warnings and one citation, and reported one animal bite. Residents can contact the animal control officer by calling 724-503-4417. The officer will respond to calls about mainly domestic animals and will issue citations for untagged animals. She will not trap animals.
• The Board appointed Kenneth Wilson to the Carroll Township Authority Board to complete the term of the recently retired Leo Zuccarini, said term to expire January 1, 2017.
