By Gina Morton
MAHONING TWP -- Residents whose home or business is equipped with an alarm system now face fines for redundant false alarm situations, officials said Monday.
An alarm ordinance passed by the Mahoning Township supervisors -- Chairperson Christine DeLong, Vice Chairman Ronald Miller and Supervisor William Earlston -- now requires residents to register their alarm systems and face penalties for potential false alarms.
Solicitor Rick Shoch said the scale of fines rise for each incident: a warning notice will be distributed for the first two events; events three and four result in a $100 fine; events five and six will result in $150 fines; events seven and eight a $200 fine; event nine a $250 fine; and from event 10 and on owners face a $300 fine.
Shoch said the ordinance will take effect Jan. 1, 2009.
Additionally, an infiltration ordinance also passed by the supervisors will halt residents from illegally connecting to the sewer system.
Shoch said when this happens, an overload can occur which can result in the Danville plant needing to release raw sewage into the river.
This ordinance, he said, will be enforced and administered by the Sewer Authority, effective Jan. 1, 2009.
The ordinance allows authorities to go on site if needed to inspect the system, but also requires when a home is sold that an inspection is done by the authority to determine if there is any illegal connection.
It would then be required to be fixed or a cost would be determined to escrow funds for the buyer, he said.
Law firms and settlement agencies have been and will be notified of the ordinance to be sure the inspections are completed on home sales.
A third fireworks ordinance was passed that requires individuals interested in putting on a display to receive a permit, notifying officials of proof of permit, license, proof of insurance, notice to fire department, among others.
Fines will result if the residents do not comply with the ordinance.
