Schuylkill Township to increase fees

Schuylkill Township will be looking to increase the variance and variance appeal application fees this year.

The township gave the go ahead to the solicitor to increase the initial application free from $500 to $750 and the appeal fee from $300 to $500.

Residents also asked the township to look into establishing a quality of life ordinance again.

The request has been brought up in the township previously; however, supervisors have not moved forward on such a proposal.

Supervisors requested that the township solicitor gather information from surrounding communities who have already enacted such ordinances, which usually pertain to minor infractions related to high grass, garbage can placement, sidewalk shoveling in inclement weather, and similar offenses.

Typically there are nominal fines associated with offenses; however, with repeated offenses or if the situation is not remedied, the township can take more legal action against offending property owners.

Supervisors received a letter of resignation from part time police officer Christian DeAngelo.

Supervisors approved payment to PSATS for township dues in the amount of $933. They approved payment to the Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce for dues in the amount of $150.

The township received a dividend check in the amount of $288.07 from the PSATS unemployment Compensation Group Fund for having an exemplary claims ration for 2017 and being current in the filing of quarterly reports.

The township received $532.89 from the State Police fines and penalties fund.