Council will execute liens against residents who have not paid garbage bills

Peters Township council agreed at its Jan. 4 meeting to pursue legal action against township residents who have not paid their garbage bill in more than three years.
That decision came after council members learned the township has $88,000 in uncollected fees on its books. Residents are charged $204 a year, or $51 a quarter garbage fee. Senior citizens get a 10 percent discount.
“When the amount is above $1,000, it’s obvious you don’t intend to pay,” said Paul Lauer, assistant township manager.
The amount of the 60-plus delinquent bills owed vary anywhere from $93 to $1,772, documents show. Peters will sell the liens it has on the properties in segments of a dozen, starting with the largest bills first and then work its way down the list.
In other matters, council approved an ordinance establishing minimum and maximum pay rates for full-time administrative and non -uniform employees, as well as part-time and seasonal workers.
For example, a township employee at Grade 1 would make a standard salary of $106,000. The minimum salary at the level would be $84,980, while the maximum would be $130,000. A full-time employee at Grade 8, the lowest tier, would make a standard salary of $33,400 a year, while the maximum salary would be $40,900, documents show.
And in other business, councilman Robert Lewis was named chairman of the board for 2016. Frank Arcuri was named vice chairman, and newly elected councilman Frank Kosir Jr., an attorney, officially joined council. He replaces Meghan Jones-Rolla, who did not run for re-election. Also, attorney John Smith of Canonsburg was appointed township solicitor for the third year in a row.
Council approved a request by St. Benedict the Abbot Church for a special permit to advertise its annual fish fry, which will be held from Feb. 8-March 19. The permit allows signs to be posted along various points along Valleybrook Road and banners on Montour Trail bridges.