Union and Robeson townships, as well as the borough of Birdsboro, are among the newest municipalities added to Pennsylvania’s spotted lanternfly quarantine list.
The spotted lanternfly is a crop-destroying invasive insect first found in Pennsylvania in 2014, according to the Penn State Extension.
It has been located in 17 Berks County municipalities and boroughs, as well as in a number of Chester and Montgomery county municipalities.
Union Township will host an informational public meeting on Feb. 17, from 10 a.m. to noon, at the township building, 1445 E. Main St., to better inform the public about the lanternfly quarantine.
In other news, supervisors’ Chairman Donald E. Basile was reappointed chairman at the board’s Jan. 4 reorganization meeting.
Supervisor Terry Kennedy was reappointed vice chairman.
Township Manager Jason Wager said at the board’s Jan. 16 meeting that 2016 revenue exceeded expenses by $129,000. Expenses were $40,913 less than expected.
The board approved at its Dec. 19 meeting a 2017 budget of $1,573,147. It also approved to keep the tax rate at 3.65 mills. Properties with an assessed value of $100,000 pay an annual tax bill of $365.
“We did well above budget and carry-over more cash than expected,” said Wager. “Hopefully, we will continue with [high] earned income tax numbers.”
The supervisors have also asked the Planning Commission to begin drafting an ordinance to regulate outside furnaces.
“It is a real nuisance to the neighbors from anyone who wants to burn firewood – it’s unfair for the neighbor, who can’t do anything about it,” Basile said.
Township Engineer Bruce Heilman said the state requires a minimum stack height of 15 feet for new units.
Kennedy said furnaces located within 100 feet of any adjacent structure need to have a 40-foot pipe.
“My issue is asking people to make ridiculous changes to existing units.”
He said the ordinance should be written to protect “all the unborn children going forward,” and the township would deal with “the delinquents” later.
“There is no ordinance now, and the only recourse [for residents] is to sue,” said Supervisor Nelson L. Ott Jr., adding, “Send this back to Planning to look at all the different issues. Maybe the Planning Commission can look at increasing the stack height only of existing furnaces.”
“As of tonight, residents would need to file a ‘trespass’ complaint of an issue with an existing furnace,” said Township Solicitor Frederick K. Hatt.
Heilman said key words in the state regulations are “verifiable nuisance,” versus a “complaint” filed with the township.
“If the township receives a complaint, they need to increase the stack height. If not, move it (the unit), or cease and desist.”
“This will be used to implement a township wide burning restriction,” said Ott.
“(We had) one resident complaint, and we’re drafting an ordinance to deal with that.”
Ott said the ordinance should include an agricultural exemption, as well as common sense.
“A 40-foot pipe is not common sense, it’s insane,” he said.
