Greenfield Twp. Considering Nuisance-Related Ordinances

The Greenfield Township Board of Supervisors will consider adopting new nuisance-related ordinances at its next meeting, Sept. 3. The board had planned to approve the ordinances at its Aug. 6 meeting, but decided to wait a month to allow additional time for public review.

A nuisance ordinance already exists in the township, but Jordan Oldham, vice chairman, said the goal of the revisions is to make it “better.” Currently the ordinance requires a multi-step process for a number of issues, ranging from the height of grass to dangerous structures.

One of those steps includes a public hearing. While a hearing may be warranted for a dangerous structure, a different enforcement approach may be better suited for addressing other matters, such as the height of grass, Oldham said. The proposed changes will split the old ordinance apart and result in three new ordinances: nuisance, red-tag and fire insurance escrow.

Oldham encouraged everyone to read the proposed documents and let the township know if they have questions. The proposed documents were reviewed and approved by the township solicitor and publicly advertised.

Two hundred eighty precut plastic boards will be purchased to replace all of the wooden bench boards at the community park at a cost of $4,601. Supervisors said the new boards should last longer than wood, which typically need to be replaced every four years.

Supervisors rescinded a motion from last month to purchase four picnic tables for the community park. They instead moved to purchase six tables, after learning that larger quantities could be bought at a discounted rate.

Supervisors reviewed a recent flooring project in the municipal building. The township had requested new carpet be installed from wall to wall, except at the entrances, where other surfacing was already present. Instead, all of the flooring was removed and replaced. In addition, linoleum was added as a walkway to the secretary’s office. Township staff also found glue stuck on the supervisors’ table and in the bathroom. They also received an additional invoice to cover the cost of rubber stripping that would not have been needed if the project had been installed as originally specified. Oldham said he viewed the project as an “incomplete” job. Supervisors voted to give the installer the option to correct the errors before considering other action.

The township will advertise for a part-time winter maintenance associate to conduct snow removal on an as-needed basis.

Supervisors discussed potentially entering into an intermunicipal agreement for snow removal for one-tenth of a mile of Monument Road in Pavia Township, Bedford County.