In’s & Outs Of New Agenda Law Discussed

By Chris Jones

MILFORD — Milford Township Solicitor Anthony Magnotta briefed township supervisors Monday about Senate Bill 554, which amends the Sunshine Act, or “Open Meetings Law,” to require state government agencies, local municipalities, and school districts to post an agenda online no later than 24 hours before the start of a public meeting.
The law, which Gov. Wolf signed on June 30, takes effect in August.
It presents no problem for Milford Township, which is already posting its meeting agendas online before the 24-hour deadline.
“The opportunity to review an agenda before a public meeting is a positive step towards increasing government accountability and citizen participation,” Office of Open Records Executive Director Liz Wagenseller said concerning the bill. Magnotta’s only concern with SB554 was that it would restrict official actions just to items on the posted agenda, and sometimes “citizen participation” is more spontaneous and off the cuff.
“What if people walk into the meeting with non-agenda items,” Magnotta asked.
He said that officials could act on such items only if they don’t involve the expenditure of funds..........For more information subscribe to our paper.

 

 

 

Residents Question Short-Term Rental Ordinance

 

By Dakota Hendricks

LACKAWAXEN — Residents flocked to the Lackawaxen Township meeting with questions about the impacts from a newly passed short-term rental ordinance that they say are negatively impacting their lives.
Several residents of Masthope asked questions about the ordinance and expressed disappointment that short-term rentals were allowed at all in the Township. Many of them are also upset that short-term renters get a “free ride” being able to use the many amenities the association provides.
One resident said she has “serious concerns” about the quality of life in Lackawaxen with the increase in short-term rentals over the last few years. An older gentleman asked the Township what they are supposed to do during the weekends when no township employees are around to handle any violations.
Solicitor Thomas Farley said the ordinance is written in a way to allow community associations to decide whether they wish to allow short-term rentals. Farley said there are several associations that do want short-term rentals and several that are staunchly opposed. Masthope voted to allow short-term rentals, and they have 24/7 security to handle resident complaints.
The ordinance, which requires all short-term rental properties to be registered by January 2022, will dictate where they are allowed and hold property owners accountable for the actions of their tenants. Opponents are skeptical, claiming the way the ordinance is written means it is “unenforceable.” Farley said residents should turn to their association’s security for violations and the police for trespassing..........For more information subscribe to our paper.

 

 

Twp. Eyes Ordinance To Combat Illegal Camping

 

By Jeremy Van Duynes

BLOOMING GROVE — Officials in Blooming Grove are addressing residents’ complaints about illegal camping and loitering that are occurring in the township.
At Monday’s supervisors meeting, Chairman Nicholas Mazza said the township has been inundated with complaints and demands to do something about the problem.
“I just want to address a couple of these issues that have been on the rise in the township,” said Mazza. “I have been made aware that this has gone on before in the township. But recently it has become a big problem. People have been complaining that the township has no mechanism to combat these things. We do, but there is a process involved.”
Mazza says that the complaints stem from people who have been camping on private land. Sometimes entire families have been taking up residence for entire periods of time before leaving.
He says that is not allowed and that people need proper permits in order to do such a thing.
“People, apparently entire families sometimes, have been camping out on private land that they do not own. You need a conditional use permit before doing something like this. You are not allowed to do this without one.”
Among the tactics Mazza brought up in using to address this ongoing problem is enacting more short-term rental ordinances. This would enable people to buy land pay rent for a short period of time before moving on to another space.
Mazza says however that they are concerned about rushing into that ordinance since it can be easily abused if not properly regulated. He says that the township is looking over their options before they make their recommendations..........For more information subscribe to our paper.