Elizabeth Township continues focus on quality of life ordinance

Officials are hoping to clean up the township and address a blight issue.

Elizabeth Township officials reiterated their commitment to a quality of life ordinance at Monday’s meeting.

Code Enforcement Officer Rob Vitous said they’ve been working on a new ordinance to ensure the township’s residents keep up maintenance properties. It will be enforced over the next few months.

“A quality of life ordinance establishes guidelines to maintain properties in a manner that promotes a positive living environment for all of us,” Vitous said. “It outlines our standards related to property maintenance, cleanliness and responsible use of residential or commercial spaces. It also helps prevent deterioration and preserve property values throughout the community.”

Under the township’s current quality of life ordinance, any person, agent, operator, firm or corporation having a legal or equitable interest in the property, the executor or administrator of the estate of such person is ordered to take possession of real property by a court.

The ordinance states that those who have property in the township should maintain it. Anyone who fails to keep up with normal maintenance will face fines.

Several township ordinances address quality of life issues, including property maintenance, nuisances, zoning and specific violations such as illegal dumping and property neglect.

The International Property Maintenance Code is also part of the township, allowing standards for supplied utilities and facilities and other physical things and conditions — ensuring that structures are safe, sanitary, and fit for occupation and use.

Solicitor Matt Racunas is working with the code department to deal with blight issues in the township, and he said this ordinance will help expedite the process.

He said officials are making sure they’re using the most efficient ways to clean up blight because it is a serious problem in the township.

“I am working with the code department to try and figure out how we can take care of these issues,” Racunas said. “They are really going to be a focus here, at least in the near future. We want to have a thorough process that’s transparent with everybody. We have a process in place where it really starts with an initial discussion.”

Racunas added that code enforcement usually shows up to people’s properties, but if that doesn’t work, this ordinance will be in place to ensure they are dealing with blight issues.

Code enforcement will be looking for overgrown grass, trash/junk/debris on properties, inoperable or unregistered vehicles, poorly maintained structures, improper storage of equipment and more.

“Basically our goal is to work with the community, not against it,” Vitous said. “We will have a fair, transparent process moving forward. We are committed to working collaboratively with the community to ensure a smooth rollout of the ordinance.”

In other business:

• The sum of $75,684.36 in Volunteer Fire Relief funding is being distributed to township fire departments. Buena Vista and Blaine Hill will each receive $15,136.87, and Elizabeth Township will get $45,410.62.

• A Trunk or Treat event will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 25 at the township municipal building. No registration is required, except for those who want to give out candy from their cars, which can be done by calling 412751-2880. Trick-or-treat hours will be 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31.