Last Thursday night, the Washington Township Board of Supervisors faced vociferous opposition from township residents over several proposed ordinances. 

            Recently, the township proposed an ordinance that would require rental property owners to self-certify that their properties were compliant with township safety standards such as fire alarms, carbon monoxide monitors, and safe electrical outlets.

            The proposed ordinance applied to groups of rooms not occupied by the owner of the property that is rented under a lease.  The ordinance did not apply to immediate family members who dwell in a rental property.  The proposed ordinance noted rental properties must be licensed and could require an inspection if safety standards were not up to the township code.

            One resident noted, "This is big government. It used to be a free country.  When will the township start to inspect private homes?" 

            Dan Stauffer, Washington Township planning commission member, remarked, "It is poor governance to create an ordinance for a problem that does not exist." 

            The township noted that over the years there have been 10 tenant complaints.  Currently, there are approximately 197 rental units in the township.  The supervisors acknowledged they have received many emails from residents and tenants who are opposed to the ordinance.  The township's motive for the proposed ordinance was to ensure the safety of its residents, both property owners and tenants. 

            After much pushback from property owners who considered the ordinance unnecessary because of virtually no complaints, the township agreed to revisit the wording of the ordinance. 

            Township Solicitor, Joan London noted, "The ordinance was not advertised."  London explained the township wanted residents' input before advertising and enacting an ordinance. 

            She also said, "There is no action taken at this time for this ordinance." 

            It is possible a scaled-back new draft of a rental ordinance could be proposed at a later date.

            In another matter, Washington Township proposed an ordinance requiring property owners to remove dangerous trees on their property–at the owners' expense–if they impact the public cartway or pose a danger to the public. 

            Residents were quick to respond to the proposed ordinance.  They noted Hereford Township rescinded, or in Bally Borough's case never enacted, an ordinance on trees.

            Stauffer remarked that if a dangerous tree is on private property and impacts a public road, public taxes should be responsible for the tree.  Stauffer suggested, "Trying to put the burden on the landowner is really reaching." 

            He said, "Let tax dollars pay for it." 

            The township agreed to modify the ordinance.  Like the rental ordinance, the tree ordinance was not advertised.

            The township held a hearing and enacted an amendment to a township ordinance that requires two parking spaces per residential unit.  A garage does not count as a parking space in the revised ordinance.  There was no opposition to the revised parking ordinance.

            The township will require Prestige Properties Partners, who are responsible for Sugar Maple and Bishop Pine roads, to repair the streets. 

            Vice Chairman Dave Moyer noted the people who live there deserve roads that are drivable.  Moyer said, "They are taxpayers who have lived with this for 10 years."

            The board of supervisors agreed to construct a public works garage for its equipment through Gorski Engineering.  The building will be erected with structural steel at a cost of $930, 920.  There is an additional cost of approximately $80,000 for natural gas service to the building.

            Moyer voted against the project due to the cost. 

            Supervisors Tom Powanda and Romani Long agreed to the construction because it has been proposed and never acted on for several years. 

Currently, township equipment is stored in several locations around the township. 

            Gorski Engineering is a leading design/build organization with a national reputation.  Gorski Engineering has recently worked on a large industrial property in nearby Upper Hanover Township.

            Washington Township will create a Facebook page for residents.

            There will be a public meeting at the township concerning recreation and open space on September 12 at 6 p.m.  The purpose of the meeting is to solicit residents' input on the township recreation plan.

            Washington Township agreed to permit Bally Borough to use township roads for its Halloween parade.