Sep 9, 2014 4 min read

By a unanimous vote Sept. 8, Peters Township Council defeated a motion to approve a new ordinance to permit property owners who are required to have sprinkler systems, to turn off those systems during extended time spent away from the residences.

During numerous previous council meetings, residents of at least two developments, namely Hidden Brook and Prestonwood, have asked council to amend the current township ordinance that requires certain types of plans to have the sprinkler systems, mainly those houses that are built in close proximity. Many of the residents of the Hidden Brook development have experienced broken water pipes, with some of the resulting damage reaching well over $100,000. The property owners encouraged council to change the current ordinance to permit the systems to be turned off while the residents are away from the homes. Council offered several amendments, including the requirement of notification of the homeowners’ association and to neighbors adjacent or near to the property.

However, several of the property owners objected to the notification process, including the stipulated two-week notification period to the HOA, neighbors, insurance company and fire department.

Previous meetings have included suggesting the homeowners install additional safeguards to the systems, such as using anti-freeze in a vehicle during cold weather. However, several of the property owners said the switch to the safe guards would be costly.

Peters Township fire Chief Dan Coyle said he opposes the option of letting the property owners turn off the systems.

“I have a responsibility to make sure my firefighters are safe,” Coyle told council. He referred to having some systems on and others off at varying times during the year, as a “logistical nightmare.”

Councilman Robert Lewis is a professional engineer who has investigated several incidents of sprinkler damage and he said the main issue is personal safety. He made the motion of adopting the new ordinance, but said he would vote against it. When the final vote was taken, the motion to adopt failed.

Another vote on a motion failed regarding the township proceeding with legal action to sue First Energy Corp. regarding the company cutting down trees under electric transmission lines on township-owned property. That motion also failed unanimously.

Recently, several private property owners have filed a lawsuit against the company regarding tree cutting.

Following a public hearing at the beginning of the Sept. 8 meeting, council voted unanimously to authorize demolition of a house at 824 Old Washington Road that has been vacant for a number of years. The township’s building inspector, William Muzzy, and a structural engineer, Robert G. Mason Jr., testified the house is not longer safe to occupy. Several surrounding property owners also testified the house is having an adverse impact on property values. Even though the demolition resolution passed, no start date was given. The property is set for an upset sale in Washington County Court at the end of the month. If purchased, the buyer will be responsible for all liens on the property.

In other action, council:

• Approved a tent on a grass area at the rear of Open Restaurant, in the basement of the Venetia Post Office, for an Oktoberfest event. No dates or times were announced.

• Learned from Planning Director Ed Zuk that the U.S. Postal Service is contemplating requiring centralized boxes in newly proposed multi-family developments, including town houses, patio homes or apartment. There are no plans currently for centralized boxes for new single-family home developments, Zuk said.

• Accepted the resignation of Michele Chavel from the Parks and Recreation Board. She has served since February 2009. No replacement was announced.

• Authorized Gateway Engineers to design a new storm water project at Moccasin and Old Washington roads.

• Approved a change order extending the time for project completion for Morgan Excavating Co. from Aug. 23 to Sept. 10, primarily due to additional work on 20 storm catch basins.