SEPTEMBER 4-10, 2014 Your Local News
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ALS Ice Bucket Challenges at Moore and Northampton, Pages 7 & 9
The Home News Allen Township board discusses Building code inspections By BILL HALBFOERSTER The Home News
Robert Fitch of Bureau Veritas, a building inspection firm in Broomall, Pa., discussed third party billing with the Allen Township Board of Supervisors at their meeting on August 26. It was a discussion of the current agreement the township has with them. Fitch said there is consistency in the mode of operation with only one billing. If there is more than one inspector, Fitch said, the Uniform Construction Code (UCC) may be interpreted differently. He said it is important to look at line items. Fitch said that rates haven’t changed, $55 per square foot for residences and $195 for commercial value of $5,000 to $10,000 under
a non-inclusive contract. Supervisor Al Pierce said there have been complaints that the inspections are taking too long. Fitch said under Pa. law they have 15 days to approve or reject drawings, which often are done by architects. Building code officials are responsible for what is turned in for residential and commercial. Fitch said a third party official has to look at everything, including A.D.A. compliance. Where most problems lie, he said, is with electrical inspections. Fitch noted that an engineer for the FedEx project that is on the horizon complimented his firm for an excellent plan review, telling him that it will enable the construction people to “hit the ground running.”
Slatington Lions Club Car Show
About 475 cars of all shapes and sizes, early and late models, were shown at the 26th annual car show of the Slatington Lions Club at the Slatington Airport along Rt. 873 on Sunday, August 31. Thanks was expressed to a number of local businesses that served as sponsors in cooperation with the Slatington Lions). –Home News photos
Buena Veritas uses three persons for inspections, and he told the supervisors, “We’re here to protect the public. Inspectors must know the U.C.C. thoroughly and they try to be consistent and fair,” he said. Pierce questioned Fitch on a number of issues related to square footage costs and billing fees.
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“We’re here to protect the public.” Robert Fitch ----------------------Builder Ed Deichmeister, who was in the audience, questioned the permit fee, saying it isn’t the same for a homeowner and a developer. He said there are different prices per square foot, and told the board that he would like to have someone local for code enforcement, not a firm in Broomall or other distant place. Other Matters • The board got an update on the filling of the Krapf quarry, which has been going on for a couple of years. It was noted that they have a plan in place showing what the property will look like when it is done. It was submitted to the Northampton County Conservation District and Hanover Engineering, the firm that represents the township. • Quarry Hills Estates was given a waiver of 18 months rather than 30 months with additional stone to 3-1/2 inches rather than two, so that will contain additional drainage, engineer Jim Milot said. • The Towpath Estates subdivision by Leibenguth Exca-
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vators was discussed briefly, the supervisors saying that there should be a wall to contain 10 feet of dirt. A letter of credit will be recorded on September 11. • Someone came in to the township office recently and questioned about having a gun on his person when in a township park. The township ordinance says that discharge of firearms is illegal. Township Solicitor Lincoln Treadwell told the board that they can’t regulate possession if the person has a right to carry. State law supersedes townships in that regard. The township will change the sign so that now it reads, “No discharge of weapons in the park.” •Supervisor Larry Oberly also suggested that ordinances need to be looked at for any changes if they’ve been in place for eight or more years. He recently attended a meeting of Northampton Area School District officials that encouraged better communication with municipalities in the district so they know when major events are scheduled or when there is a call for evacuation or serious accidents that may occur. Another meeting will be held in November. A resident at last Tuesday’s supervisors meeting suggested that the emergency management coordinator and fire chief should also attend. •Township Manager Ilene Eckhart reported that the principal of Catasauqua High School wants input from Allen Township on what regulations should be in place for Willowbrook Rd. parking. It was noted that W. Bullshead Continued on page 3
619 Moorestown Dr., Bath, PA 18014 (Rt. 512)
Focus on Folks 60+ How to Reduce Falls Among Older Adults Page 2
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Good Shepherd Principal takes the Ice Bucket Challenge Page 16
73rd Year, Issue No. 36 www.homenewspa.com
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