Jan 5, 2016 2 min read

Peters Township council agreed at its Monday meeting to pursue legal action against township residents who have not paid their garbage bills in more than three years.

That decision to seek liens on properties came after council members learned the township has $88,000 in uncollected fees on its books. Residents are charged $204 a year, or $51 a quarter, for a garbage fee.

“When the amount is above $1,000, it’s obvious you don’t intend to pay,” said Paul Lauer, assistant township manager.

The amounts of the 60-plus delinquent bills owed range from $93 to $1,772, documents show. Peters will sell the liens it secures on the properties in segments of a dozen, starting with the largest bills first and then working its way down the list.

In another matter, council established minimum and maximum pay rates for full-time administrative and non-uniform employees, as well as part-time and seasonal workers.

For example, a township employee at Grade 1 would make a standard salary of $106,000. The minimum salary at the level would be $84,980, while the maximum would be $130,000. A full-time employee at Grade 8, the lowest tier, would make a standard salary of $33,400 a year, while the maximum salary would be $40,900.

In other business, Councilman Robert Lewis was named chairman of the board for 2016. Frank Arcuri was named vice chairman, and newly elected Councilman Frank Kosir Jr., an attorney, officially joined council. He replaces Meghan Jones-Rolla, who did not seek re-election. Attorney John Smith of Canonsburg was appointed township solicitor for the third year in a row.