Woodbury Twp. Begins Process to Approve Nuisance Ordinance

Solicitor Dave Pertile gave Woodbury Township supervisors a draft of the updated nuisance ordinance during the regular meeting Thursday, May 2.

Pertile said the last nuisance ordinance was written in 1972, and called the new ordinance “a really good start” in combating some of the complaints supervisors have received over the last few months. The new ordinance addresses regulating nuisances, accumulations of garbage and rubbish, junk materials and junk vehicles and barking dogs.

A written complaint is necessary to begin the process of resolving the nuisance.

Supervisor Ed Clark made a motion to advertise the ordinance with Supervisor Craig Hamilton seconding. The motion passed. Advertising an ordinance is required before the township can legally adopt it.

The Williamsburg Christian and Missionary Alliance Church was to give supervisors final plans upon completion of its project. No plans have been received but the church is using the completed part of the project. Supervisors instructed Stiffler-McGraw engineer Jim Young to contact the CMA engineering firm for the final plans.

Chris Bartel, who owns the Cove Valley Airport near Williamsburg, was present to see about state Act 164 which he brought up last month because of the solar energy panels coming to Williamsburg. Act 164 covers airport hazard zoning in Pennsylvania and permits municipalities to pass zoning ordinances to protect airport approaches.

Bartel said that he is worried that the erection of solar panels would affect the operation of his airfield.

PennDOT records state that Williamsburg borough, Woodbury Township, Frankstown Township and Catharine Township are all affected by the airport.

Township Solicitor Pertile said he was still working on an ordinance but did research Resolution 2014-1 from Woodbury Township records, which controls the construction and establishment of any construction around airports.

Royer Mansion supporters were present at the meeting to discuss creating a gravel parking lot to increase parking for the mansion. With the 1/2-acre parking lot, there were to be underground stone trenches for drainage installed.

Supervisor Clark moved for preliminary plan approval with Supervisor Hamilton seconding and the motion passed. Final plans and a Royer Mansion engineering consultant must insure that the drainage system is put in place before the lot can be used, the supervisors said.