Ordinances on Sewer and Aggressive Begging in Middle

COURT HOUSE – During the Nov. 18 Middle Township Committee meeting, there was a second reading on the sewer ordinance. Key components included a change in the charge for being placed in inactive status. Presently, an owner pays nothing when on inactive status but with the passage of the ordinance the owner would be paying a proportionate cost. This is because even though the sewer is not being used, the township still has debt service and operating costs. There was also a change in the re-connection fee. It is $2,400 at present and will be reduced to $500, which is the actual cost to the township.
The position of meters for safer and convenient reading was also defined in detail. It includes no interior meters, no debris and it shall be positioned on the exterior of the building.
“I am very excited we’re getting this done,” Mayor Daniel Lockwood said in reference to an ordinance that deals with the appropriation of $200,000 from the capital improvement fund for “the demolition of unsafe structures.”
Lockwood is particularly concerned with empty and deteriorating buildings becoming attractive nuisances and attracting children who could be hurt or become drug addicts. After township employees raze the building, a lien will be placed on the property to recoup the costs to the township.
The aggressive begging ordinance also received a second reading. The first reading of this ordinance made it to the Drudge Report and the national television news. “There was some criticism for its impact on free speech so we made some small adjustment,” Lockwood explained. The final ordinance dealt with the Code of Conduct Review Committee. It was a first reading and the second will be on Dec. 16.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, Stanley Donagher of Rio Grande had some questions including why was public comment called for after each ordinance but not after each resolution. Township Solicitor Marc Karavan was ready with an answer, “The law requires a chance for public comment for each ordinance but not each resolution.”
There were some comments from the committee to everyone in the township. Committee member Susan DeLanzo wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and mentioned the quick passage of time. Deputy Mayor Tim Donohue took a moment to congratulate newly elected Michael Clark who was in the audience most of the evening but had just left. Donohue also announced that on Dec. 6 the annual Christmas celebration will have an added attraction. Comcast will sponsor the Radio Disney Trailer which will entertain young and old alike with Disney characters galore and may even follow Santa as he leads the crowd from Municipal Hall to Mechanic Street, a small change from last year. Mayor Lockwood also lamented the fact that Susan DeLanzo was leaving. “She has more experience here than all of us,” he said.
To contact Helen McCaffrey, email hmccaffrey@cmcherald.com.