DONALDSON - It has been nearly two months since Judge Cyrus P. Dolbin ruled that the owner of the old factory building on the corner of Martin Street and Cedar Alley was in violation of a township ordinance covering dilapidated and dangerous structures.
Dolbin fined the man $100 per day until he either fixed up the building or tore it down.
Since that June 13 hearing, building owner Lewis Graver Jr. not only failed to take either action to remedy what was considered by the judge to be "a public nuisance created by the dangerous structure," but he also failed to file an appeal of the judge's decision within the required 30 days.
Although Frailey Township attorney Eric M. Lieberman could not find out for certain whether the $100 per day fine levied by the judge was, or was not, being paid by Graver, Lieberman requested and was authorized by the board to file a petition with Dolbin seeking immediate permission to treat the situation as an emergency case.
"Hopefully," Lieberman said in his correspondence with the supervisors, "Judge Dolbin will issue an order granting permission to the Frailey Township supervisors to immediately demolish the said structure."
Contacted the day after the Aug. 6 meeting, Supervisor Keith Allar said he spoke with Lieberman earlier that day and was told that the person he needed to speak with concerning the fine was not available. However, it was thought that the fine was probably not being paid.
According to Donald Allar, the board chairman, "It'd be so easy if he'd turn it over to us."
In other business, the July list of code enforcement activities indicated seven properties had been removed from the June list, while two new properties were added, bringing the total up to 13. According to Donald Allar, the code enforcement officer provided a verbal update prior to the August meeting noting that he had issued a notice of violation to one property owner on East Railroad Street who he had first visited on May 7, 2013. Although the property owner had shown progress in removing the piles of junk by the parking area and yard, no further progress was currently being made. However, four properties continue to show progress and will be revisited this month. The payment of $723.23 was approved for the code enforcement officer's July activities.
Roads
Donald Allar announced that the township's road project will begin. Schuylkill Paving, Schuylkill Haven, was awarded the bid of $67,770 to repave Spruce Street, which roadmaster Keith Allar described as the last street out of town; a section of Poplar Street, from Oak to Center; Mill Alley, where curbs will be made to prevent water from going into homes; and the 500 block of Philadelphia Street, from Gaskins to Taylor streets. A payment of $1,038.48 for the advertising for bids for the road project was included with this month's bills.
Expansion
Information was received from Keystone Potato Products, Shermans Mountain Road, that it is applying for a grant from the state Department of Economic Development for the expansion of its water treatment system. According to Cory Schlegel of Keystone, both pre- and post-treatment will be improved. The company has been in business since 2005 producing dehydrated potato flakes, which are sold locally to Ateeco Inc., Shenandoah, which makes Mrs. T's Pierogies; Martin's Potato Bread, Chambersburg; and Giorgio Foods, Reading. The company currently has 63 full-time and two part-time employees. "The company is a plus for the township." Donald Allar said.