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VOLUME 15, NUMBER 10
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Penn Forest looks at zoning and code enforcement costs and coverage by Seth Isenberg
Friends of CCTI Fund established to support students, faculty A group of dedicated parents of Carbon Career & Technical Institute (CCTI) students has joined together to establish the Friends of CCTI Fund at the Carbon County Community Foundation. The group, also named the Friends of CCTI, will work to raise money to support students beyond what the school might ordinarily be able to provide.
Donations to the Friends of CCTI Fund are fully tax-deductible and will help purchase special equipment, supplies, and uniforms. Funds will also be used to give students access to special events, like state and national competitions or special field trips “By working with the Carbon County Community See CCTI FOUNDATION, page 2
Penn Forest Township supervisors had a long discussion at their regular meeting on March 6 on adding another code enforcement officer, whic also explored the costs of having an outside company, Barry Isett & Associates (BIA), staff the zoning office. Citizens would lik to see code enforcement on weekends and some nights. Supervisor Pat Holland is opposed, in that it expands government. The discussion turned to how the township uses BIA for its zoning work, and that some of the work could be brought in house. Supervisor Christian Bartulovich said that “BIA is tremendous, but they don’t work for PFT.” Supervisor Jim Denier agreed that the work is expensive. “I’d be for bringing in house.” Holland agrees, but wants to look at the numbers so the township is not adding expenses.
Bartulovich said the zoning costs are up to $60 an hour. The discussion brought in former supervisor Judy Knappenberger, who told the meeting that “the old system of zoning worked…” Chairman Roger Meckes pointed out they have good staff with BIA, (and) have more resources. “I’d like to expand the zoning hours, but I don’t want to cut what we have.” Bartulovich pointed out that we have three BIA people in the office, and th township is growing. Philip Prout of BIA who works in zoning, said they work almost every single day, and are at the township office Monday, Wednesda and Friday. “We can help develop an in-house person,” he added. To maintain a zoning office, there should b someone full time. Meckes asked if the money the township is collecting for STR fees is enough to pay for an extra person.
Bartulovich did a calculation of the STR fees and costs, and declared that there is money for more help. Code enforcement officer Greg Loftus quippe that “I’m not going to turn down help.” The township is inspecting 520 rentals. Holland wants to look into this and go through numbers (with Prout) to learn what other townships do (and what Penn Forest can do). The other supervisors agreed with this, perhaps starting by adding one person crosstrained for zoning and code enforcement. The topic will be on the April agenda, looking to hire someone, with numbers to support the hire. Ann Hutchinson of the Natural Lands Trust gave a presentation about “Conservation Design” — preserving natural habitat while planning growth and “shaping development.” She showed See PENN FOREST, page 3