Ross Township reminds residents to clean up after dogs in park

During Monday’s meeting, Ross Township supervisors discussed the increasing pile of dog waste bags left behind.

Resident George Washburn, who the township hired to mow the lawn, brought up the sensitive subject during the public comment part of the meeting.

“The dog poop problem is getting worse. Dog owners need to police themselves,” Washburn said.

He spends about 10 hours a week doing the lawn maintenance. He told the supervisors he avoids certain areas where the dog waste bags are piled.

Bags are provided on a signpost. Under the bags, there is a sign clearly stating to take bags home to dispose.

“So many people come in to me and say they saw so-and-so leave bags behind. It’s not the township’s obligation to provide a bin for disposal,” said Doris Price, township secretary.

She said they constantly remind residents via their monthly newsletter.

“It’s a handful of people who are ruining it for everyone,” Chairman Howard A. Beers Jr. said.

Washburn suggested the supervisors establish some sort of group for dog owners. Dogs would be registered for free, and owners could police each other so they don’t lose this privilege.

Beers and supervisor David Shay agreed that forming such a group could help the situation. Vice Chairman Tina Drake was absent from the meeting.

“Everyone must pick up the poop or dogs will be banned from the park,” Beers said. “It’s a shame because a few people are ruining it for everyone.”

Bernie Kozen, executive director of West End Park and Open Space Commission, said this is not just a problem in Ross Township. It occurs in other parks around the county.

In other business

• Angler Road and Aspen Road were removed from the list of roads to be paved this summer. There was as a mathematical error in the bid letter. These two roads would put the project over budget.

• Beers and Shay voted to credit or refund the pavilion rental fee if someone cancels their event due to the weather. They can simply pick a new date and the fee would be credited. A refund will be given to those who do not wish to reschedule.

• Blue Ridge Hook and Ladder requested a meeting with the supervisors to discuss an audit and their 2020 budget. The supervisors said it could be advertised as a special joint meeting between Ross Township, Hamilton Township and the fire department.

• Beers said medical marijuana has been a topic of discussion at the CJERP (Chestnuthill, Jackson, Eldred, Ross and Polk) regional meeting. Representatives from each township are unsure which of the five zones (residential, commercial, industrial, etc.) to put it in, and if they want it to be shared use, Beers said. He wanted Shay to weigh in and provide feedback. Shay said he could not give an answer until he did more research. He wanted to know if it would benefit the township via a tax.