Township pursues two scofflaws

By TOM KANE

DAMASCUS, PA — Damascus Township is taking legal action against two property owners who have been ignoring township ordinances and citations.

Property owner Joseph Barca of Steep Hill Road has ignored Ed Lagarenne, the zoning officer, over three separate infractions of township law.

“He refuses to fix a pool fence, part of which has fallen down; he put in a concrete pad without a permit and he is running a trucking business on his property in a residential zone,” Lagarenne said.

Each of the infractions carries a $500 fine.

A second property owner, Fred Griemsman of Sheards Road, has ignored Lagarenne’s citation for an improperly installed driveway for a year. The fine is $500. Griemsman, who lives in Virginia, has been contacted repeatedly. Lagarenne said. “We have a judgment against the property.”

Lagarenne said the owner is trying to sell the property. He suggested that the township put a lien on the property so that the township can collect if and when the property is sold.

The board agreed unanimously to hand the cases over to its attorney for compliance and collection of the fines.

In another zoning matter, Lagarenne told the board of a call from Gary Harper of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection concerning alleged burning at the Bedrock Quarry on Oregon Turnpike. After reporting that there were not illegal burnings, Harper discovered a regulation that forbids the quarry from burning anything. The quarry had been burning tree stumps, which Laganenne thought was permitted.

In other board matters, the board will hold a special meeting on the proposed 2005 budget at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, November 29 at the Damascus Township Hall. Residents will get a chance to question the supervisors and to express their opinions.

The public can review the budget at the township hall during regular office hours on Monday and Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.“We may pass the budget on the 29th or later after hearing residents’ comments,” said Bill Gager, chairman of the supervisors’ board.