Dingman may want to look at your plumbing

DINGMAN - Is it Mom’s sink or does someone’s tenant use it? Building and Well Enforcement Officer Shawn Bolles has been with the township for ten years and has seen no solution to his ongoing concern regarding mother/daughter residences. “There are many people that deceive us by installing extra plumbing which they say is for a utility sink and then when we approve it and the house is finished, in goes a full kitchen for a rental apartment,” he said. “They say it is for their mom but when she leaves, it becomes a tenant’s apartment. We need an ordinance that will allow us to re-inspect a home after one year,” he told the supervisors Tuesday. “Some of them say they need an extra kitchen because of religious needs such as the need to have a separate Kosher kitchen. Some of the high-end houses are so big they want a second kitchen, and that it won’t be for a rental apartment,” said Bolles. Supervisors Chair Tom Mincer asked, “If we see extra plumbing being installed, can we ask what it is for?” Town Solicitor John Klemeyer told Bolles, “If they filed for a single family residence and then six months later it becomes a rental apartment, they are in violation of several town ordinances.” “I know, but we have no right to enter their residence without a search warrant and what do we base it on, our hunch?” Bolles replied. Klemeyer told Bolles to contact him later to sit down and draft an ordinance that would allow for yearly inspections of “suspect homes.” Township Roadmaster Jim Snyder reported that he can’t get any more winter road salt from their supplier. He said Dingman has 100 tons on hand and another 50 tons on order which should last unless more severe ice conditions recur as in the past few weeks. Township Secretary Karen Kleist said Dingman is under state contract and must purchase at least 60 percent of what they expected to use, but no more than 140 percent the current level. “We have done a lot of plowing, salting and sanding and have used a lot of material and a lot of man hours to keep up ... this year,” stated Snyder. Mincer said he remains disappointed with Penn DOT in taking care of the winter snow and ice conditions but said it was better this year than last. “They’re not consistent and Log Tavern Road was bad. I called them and they did respond quickly,” he admitted. In other business Township Supervisors received a communication from Pike County Humane Society Director Barry Heim who reported recent publicity and fundraising activities have raised $48,000. Heim was supposed to speak at the supervisors meeting but was unable to and will be at the next meeting in two weeks with a full report. The supervisors approved David Ruby as a new appointee to the Dingman Township Planning Commission, also naming David Snyder as an alternate. “February was a busy month for us even though the numbers are down a little,” stated Fire Chief Bill Mikulak. The department transported 108 patients to area medical facilities in February compared to 121 for the same period last year. There were 54 fire calls this February compared to 50 in February of 2007, he said. Noting the prediction of heavy rains, Mikulak told Mincer that the department is prepared for any high water emergencies with and that all emergency water pumps were ready to go. Gateway Village developer Dino Bradlee received a six-month extension for his proposed sewage planning module, which was to expire on March 13. Dingman Township Constable John Crerand sent a letter to the supervisors asking for the appointment of Teresa Crerand as Deputy Township Constable. Crerand stated since there are two polling places in the township, two constables are required to keep things orderly. Her appointment was approved.