October 13, 2005 Regular Meeting:
There are several issues that I believe are of general interest to Maidencreek residents.
Township seeks a new receptionist:
We had over 100 responses. We are starting the interview process.
Planning commission opening:
James Schoellkopf was appointed to fill the vacancy left by Joe Rudderow at the 9/22/2005 special meeting. There is a rule on the township books that both employees and appointees must resign their positions before running for a township office. This rule was authored ( I believe over 10 years ago) by a previous board. Paul Martin resigned from his appointed position on the Agriculture security board to comply with this rule. We are having a special meeting November 1st to discuss this rule with respect to Randy Wolfe's run for tax collector for the township. Randy is currently a member of the planning commission. I will write an update after the November 1st meeting.
Sludge on farms:
Please see the previous meeting post for the background on this issue. In short the township is considering drafting an ordinance that would mirror DEP regulation of sewage sludge on farms. The solicitor reported that a nearby township has passed such an ordinance, and it is currently being challenged in the courts. We are putting our drafting of this ordinance on hold until we learn the outcome the the litigation in the neighboring township. We are concerned about the protection of the unique watershed in Maidencreek where so many downstream draw their drinking water, but we do not want to use taxpayer dollars mirroring an ordinance already being litigated. We would prefer to see the results of the litigation and incorporate any necessary changes in our draft ordinance.
Noise in Maidencreek:
This was not discussed at the 10/13/2005 meeting, but I did receive an email from a development resident with three complaints.
The trucks use “Jake” brakes on Route 222.
The cement mill is making a lot of noise.
The train whistle at crossings is noisy.
Let me respond to these in order:
Our noise ordinance prohibits the use of “Jake” brakes in the township, but the police tell me that they will not write citations for this. Apparently it is a practice of the D.J.s to not enforce this type of noise restriction because of the argument that “Jake” brakes are part of the safe operation of the truck.
The cement mill pre-dates the noise ordinance. I'm not sure if it can be applied to them. This is a question the solicitor can answer better than I can. There must be some new activity at the mill, because even some long-time residents tell me they are hearing more noise. It seems to depend upon where you live and the topography of the land between you and the mill, because not everyone is hearing it.
The train whistle is a safety issue. Recently the law changed such that communities can stop the whistle if they protect each crossing with automatic gates. This was discussed at a meeting, and nearly every resident present favored keeping it the way it is; they all were aware of times when the gates or lights failed to close, and the whistle was the only warning to traffic.
You can view the official Township meeting minutes at:
http://hometown.aol.com/maidenminutes/minutespg1.html
I still have copies of the Fredrick Bastiat book “The Law” available to Maidencreek residents. Email me if you want one.
Paid for by Roy Timpe