Sewage work at issue under state's new consumer protection law

Township will provide guidance for contractors in the area DINGMAN — A new consumer protection law may confuse as much as it clarifies some home improvement contract work, according to Sewage Enforcement Officer, Chris Wood. At Tuesday’s meeting of the Dingman Township Supervisors, Wood reported, “The November 2008 Pennsylvania Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (HICPA) requires contractors to register with the Bureau of the Pennsylvania Attorney General. It has been rumored that this may include contractors that install or repair residential sewage systems.” Wood claims the new act is written so loosely that some people could stretch the intention of the law to include sewage installers and not just contractors doing other types of home improvements. The HICPA, going into effect July 1, was created to protect consumers from unscrupulous contractors and scam artists. The language is less than crystal clear. For example it requires registration by contractors doing over $5,000 of home improvement business in PA annually; but it also requires that any contractor doing more than $500 worth of work “for a consumer in their home or on the land surrounding their home,” must also register. The broad contractor definition applies to workers engaged in: repair, replacement, remodeling, demolition, renovation, installation, alteration, conversion, modernization, improvement, rehabilitation or sandblasting. Also included are contractors doing: driveways, swimming pools, pool houses, garages, roofs, siding, insulation, security systems, flooring, patios, fences, gazebos, sheds, cabanas, painting, doors, windows, waterproofing, heating and air conditioning and the installation of storm windows or awnings. Contractors doing commercial work or new home construction in PA are exempt from registration Wood requested, and the supervisors approved a meeting between the township sewage department and local sewage system installers to discuss policy and regulatory changes. In other business, Pike ALS (Advanced Life Support) reported answering 78 calls this year of which 17 were in Dingman Township. On March 1 they began a 24/7 presence at Camp Akenac on state Route 739 to be able to serve the needs of the community. Their recently acquired new ambulance was involved in an accident while on an emergency call. The ambulance slid off the road due to heavy deposits of sand and was damaged beyond repair. An interim vehicle has been placed in service, until a replacement ambulance can be purchased. The Milford Fire Department reported responding to 142 fire calls, 71 of those in Dingman Township, so far this year.