Topping the discussion at the Snyder Township meeting, concerned residents continued to push for an ordinance that would require all new businesses moving into the area to notify the township and pay a fee. This proposed ordinance would not affect business already established in the area.
“It is my belief that any ordinance would need to encompass any business in the township,” said solicitor Allen E. Gibboney. “I don’t believe that you can lawfully have an ordinance that applies to some but not to others.”
The targeting of new businesses without affecting the existing businesses is the issue that Gibboney is scheduled to research further.
Residents also asked supervisors about the 911 system for the Snyder Township area.
“We haven’t made an agreement with Tyrone yet,” said supervisor James Daughenbaugh. “As soon as we make an agreement, then I’ll go up and talk to 911 and see what they can do.”
Currently, the Bald Eagle Fire Company does not have enough firemen to cover the area under the 911 plan. Tyrone has the needed resources, so Snyder Township is working on a plan in conjunction with Tyrone before being able to set up the system.
Another issue brought to the attention of the supervisors is a log jam at the little Juniata River. There is debris and an island building up because of logs jamming up the river. Every time it rains, the problem gets worse. The river could soon start to flood, causing home and property damage to residents. Daughenbaugh is scheduled to contact the Water and Fish Commission and receive permission from the DEP to find out where the logs are coming from and how to fix the problem.
Rounding out the public discussion, residents asked what was being done about the burned-out houses in Northwood. The drafts for revising the ordinances for things like junk houses or property, salvages and nuisances is not finished yet.
For the business of the night, Susie O’Brien, James Friday, John Lehner and Paul Sherry were all re-appointed to the Oak Ridge Water Authority Board for a five-year term running from January 1, 2003 through the first Monday in January 2008.
In money matters, a motion was approved to pay Scott B. Cowfer for the second payment from HOME Project Grant for Beulah Irvin’s home in the amount of $7,953.20. Also, solicitor Allen Gibboney’s fee agreement was approved.
The update on CDBG is that the township is applying for a grant to aide the Tyrone Forge, Ironville and Cook Hollow areas.
“We’re wrapping up the income survey that we’re required to do,” said engineer Bill Gohn. “We’re still waiting for some to come back, and we may have to send another letter to get their response because it’s really important that we get all the responses back on the income survey.”
The income survey information is to help the area receive a grant that will be submitted for $500,000 to go towards a project for Tyrone Forge, Ironville and Cook Hollow. The Chesapeake Bay application is also a grant that will be applied for $100,000 to go towards the project.
Also Gohn gave an update on the work being done to California Hollow, where all the sewer lines are in, and the force main across the creek is to be finished. The supervisors motioned to approve that the cross pipes be replaced before finishing the project.
Under new business, the February bill list was approved for $19,695.91.
