Rice Board Discusses Lake Issues, Ordinances

By ANDREA O’NEILL
Correspondent

Rice Township Supervisors faced a standing room only crowd last week during their regular meeting on July 13. Concerns about Pond-weed in the Ice Lakes, possible illegal dumping and burning on Park Drive, and proposed new ordinances regulating burning and lawn care seemed to be what brought so many people to the Rice Township Municipal Building.

Joe Gallagher of Ecological Solutions, the company that has been hired by the township to control surface plant life in the Ice Lakes, was at the meeting to offer some insight on a weed that residents have been complaining about in recent weeks. Gallagher identified the plant as Pond-weed, a common submergent plant that is found in many area lakes and ponds.

After much discussion regarding the Pond-weed and the Water Lillies, one resident asked about complete eradication of both the Lilly-pads and the Pond-weed, rather than allowing 30-40 percent coverage as Gallagher had recommended as optimal in order to give aquatic life what it needs.

“A lake is not a swimming pool,” responded Gallagher. He then recommended that the township inquire into CSAW – A state funded program that provides grants to develop a watershed program and 10- year projection plan, which they then passed a motion to do.

Also upon Gallagher’s recommendation, the supervisors passed a motion to authorize Ecological Solutions to treat the Pond-weed in the Ice Lakes up to 20 acres at $120.00/acre or less.

Zoning Officer Lou Konopelski gave a lengthy report on several ordinances regarding storage of dilapidated cars, storm water management, the new grass and weed ordinance and the new schedule of zoning fees and charges “for the administration and enforcement of Rice Township zoning ordinances”. Among those included was a new requirement for drivers to obtain a zoning permit for trucks over 10 tons. Amendments to the township burning ordinance were proposed and will be considered at the August 10 meeting.

According to Solicitor Marsillio, the amendments will not change the conditions of burning, but rather hold the property owner responsible for any burn that damages surrounding property. This change to the ordinance, that would levy a maximum fine of $300 and/or 90 days in jail to the property owner, seemed to be in response to complaints from residents of Park Drive who have expressed an “ongoing concern about a neighbor who has a commercial zoning for landscaping, and has resulted in hazardous burning to the point where rice twp fire and police have responded with several citations to no effect. The burning has allegedly been preventing from neighbors being able to hang clothes or sit outside, and there are concerns about what is being put into the air that children are inhaling. Other concerns were about residue from buried garbage and appliances seeping into well water. There was speculation at the meeting that the property owner may be burning materials from apartments that he rents in Wilkes-Barre such as bedding, furniture, plastics, etc. on a weekly basis. Residents reported that the fires can be so large that they sometimes take two days to go out and requested the board to intervene. Park drive residents are urged to call the Rice Township Police Department @ 332-0160 immediately when they observe a fire.

In his Roadmasters report, Miller Stella announced that First Street has been repaired and that Aqua Penn has agreed to repave Lakeview Drive at their expense. Stella noted that the road crew has been busy with grass cutting, installing stop signs, tarring, and other maintenance, and that that the township will be looking for a new blacktop roller for the summer of 2011. It was also noted that Heslop Road may need to be repaved next year and the county will be contacted shortly for repairs to bridges on that road. Stella also complimented the police force for proactive measures in issuing 24 traffic citations in the past month, presumably resulting in only 4 accidents on township roadways.

Chairman George Venesky reminded residents that the Rice Township Volunteer Fire Company will hold its annual bazaar July 23-July 25 and the board would appreciate the support of all the residents. Newspaper is now being accepted at the recycling center as of this past Saturday.

This is part of the July 21, 2010 online edition of The Mountaintop Eagle.

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