Aug 1, 2014 3 min read

• Date: July 28

• Discussion: Council agreed to clarify ambiguities in wording of code and zoning ordinances when defining whether chickens may be kept in residential areas as pets or on farms defined as 10 acres or more. No action was taken.

Council agreed to rework a draft ordinance regulating fire-supression systems in patio homes. Previously, property owners in Prestonwood and Hidden Brook developments complained that sprinkler systems have burst resulting in thousands of dollars in damage when many residents travel during the cold winter months. The draft ordinance would require property owners to disconnect the system if gone for more than a month, notify surrounding neighbors, their insurance carrier, the township and fire department, and to post a notice in the window. Many property owners objected to the restrictions. No action was taken and council will revisit the draft ordinance.

Council discussed concerns with property owners regarding tree cutting by First Energy Corp. along electric lines. Council agreed to send a letter to the company. Several of the property owners spoke of filing a class-action lawsuit.

Council briefly discussed plans for a new amphitheater in Peterswood Park that will include a roof. The bids range from $800,000 to $900,000 with $850,000 budgeted. Silvestri said council hopes to have a plan in place to apply for local share funding from gambling disbursements due in October.

• Action: Council accepted the resignation of Dorothy Schwerha from the township’s Parks and Recreation Board. She has served since 2006. A motion to appoint a replacement was tabled.

• Next meeting: 7:30 p.m. Aug. 11 at the municipal building

• Date: July 28

• Action: The board pproved an anticipated new position of Title I reading specialist at McMurray Elementary School to be funded by the annual federal Title 1 budget of about $133,000.Because of an increase in the number of eligible students for the federal free or reduced lunch program, primarily at McMurray Elementary, the district is able to receive additional funding to help improve reading proficiency for the students. No name was announced.

The resignation of Emily Sanders, assistant high school principal, was approved, effective Aug. 8.

The board hired Lauren Stawartz as business, computer, information technology teacher at the high school for the 2014-15 school year and Wendy Stark as a sixth-grade teacher at McMurray Elementary School.

The board approved continuing the school resource officer agreement between the school district and the township. The agreement permits an armed police officer to be present in the district during school hours primarily assigned to the high school. The agreement has been in place for several years.

• Next meeting: 7:30 p.m. Aug. 18