Property violations go unanswered

            At Tuesday's meeting of the Hereford Township Board of Supervisors, officials reviewed the status of a number of property clean-ups. 

The owner of one such property, located in the 3100 block of Seisholtzville Road, has been notified about the violations on the property and cited for failure to take any action. 

            A judgment in default was filed against the property owner but was not responded to.  Solicitor Eugene Orlando suggested re-filing the judgment with a note that the property owner has failed to respond.  Notices were sent by certified mail and the owner's attorney has been served with the notice as well. 

            He also suggested fining the property owner daily for the ongoing violations, stating that "when the numbers start to be significant" the owner will take notice.

            Township Engineer Jennifer Van Dyke reported that she has been working with the Conservation District on the Mensch Mill Road project and plans to be ready to apply for a grant to help fund the project in January.

            Van Dyke also reported on the status of ordinance amendments for subdivision and land development (SALDO), stormwater management (SWM), and zoning have been reviewed by the township's planning commission and will be ready for review by the supervisors.

            Chairman John Membrino brought up a discussion for a review of potential zoning regulations for solar farms in the township.  Currently they are allowed in areas zoned as industrial district as a conditional use. 

Membrino felt the current zoning is too restrictive for solar farms and would like that discussed further in the ordinance amendment process.

            Membrino opined that the solar farms were beneficial and hypothesized that a large landowner wishing to have one placed on their property, and denied, could just opt to have 10 homes built there instead.     

            A proposal to replace the roof on the township's maintenance garage was reviewed.  Bachman's Roofing submitted a proposal for $29,750 to do the work. 

Bachman is an approved Pennsylvania Cooperative Purchasing (COSTARS) program that connects suppliers with local procurement units.  Utilizing a PA COSTARS vendor can help a municipality avoid the public bidding process for projects.

            After discussion, officials made recommendations that any contract for the project contain a performance bond and a warranty on material and workmanship.

            The board also accepted the resignation of Assistant Secretary Louisa Masemore.

            The next supervisors meeting will be held on July 23, at 7:30 p.m.