Sep 13, 2016 3 min read

EDITOR’S NOTE: Due to a error in Cumberland Township’s meeting agenda, this story misidentified the house in Crucible that is slated for condemnation. The correct address for the house that is undergoing condemnation procedures is 218 Third St. This story has been updated to reflect that change.

CARMICHAELS – Cumberland Township supervisors agreed Monday to begin condemnation proceedings against a dilapidated house at 218 Third St. in Crucible.

The house, vacant for numerous years, is in poor condition. An engineer inspected the property and found the house uninhabitable, township code enforcement officer Ann Bargerstock said.

The house is believed to be owned by an elderly woman who now resides near Donora, Bargerstock said. The township will notify the owner of its action and give the owner time to make needed repairs.

If the owner fails to act within a specific time period, the township will then hire a contractor to raze the building and place a lien against the property to attempt to recoup its costs.

In June, the supervisors unanimously passed a “dangerous structures” ordinance that gives township officials a more streamlined process to condemn and raze dilapidated houses.

Also during the meeting, the supervisors agreed to hold the township’s clean up days Sept. 24 and 25.

Residents who have unwanted household items can bring them to the municipal building from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.

The township will not accept air conditioners or refrigerators unless they are tagged indicating the Freon has been properly removed. It also will not accept televisions, computers, oil, tires or any hazardous materials.

The supervisors also awarded a contract for paving Johnson Hill Road near Stringtown and Northern Alley, Southern Alley and a connecting alley in Nemacolin to A.C. Moyer Paving of Lemont Furnace. The company submitted a low bid of $84,652.

The supervisors approved a heavy hauling agreement with Emerson Geophysical LLC to conduct seismic testing using a thumper truck on Woodrings and Air Shaft roads. The agreement, prepared by the township, has not yet been approved by the company.

The supervisors also approved heavy hauling agreements with Energy Corp. of America and Atlas Energy for a number of roads throughout the township.

The supervisors hired Eric Orr and Nathan Hamilton as part-time police officers at $14 an hour, and appointed Max Brozik Jr. to the position of township auditor to replace George Rice.

Center Street resident Joe Putila thanked the supervisor for drainage work the township completed on Maple Street and asked if the township intended to widen a section of Center Street near his home. The supervisors said widening the road would be expensive because the three property owners on the one side of the road don’t want the township to encroach on their property. Even though the township may have a right of way to expand the width of the road, it would still be required by law to compensate the owners, solicitor Dennis Makel said.