Time has run out for a number of Scott Twp. residents who have not made an effort to hook up to the central sewer system.
And now they will face the consequences.
Sixty-five residents and business owners still have not made a "substantial effort to complete installation and hookup," and starting today, they will receive a citation from the magisterial district judge's office and can be fined up to $1,000 per month, said Carl Ferraro, Scott Twp. code enforcement officer.
"These people were given plenty of time to hook up to the system," Mr. Ferraro said. "We gave them multiple, several notices reminding them to hook up, but they continued to ignore them."
On May 17, Mr. Ferraro said he sent a "final warning" notice to 110 residents and business owners who had not yet acquired a permit for a hookup, informing them they had 30 days to make such an effort. The deadline was Monday.
The notice warned them that if they didn't comply, they would receive a citation from the magistrate's office and could be fined up to $1,000 per month upon conviction by a judge, Mr. Ferraro said.
As of Thursday, Scott Twp. supervisors' most recent meeting, 38 residents or business owners had taken the necessary steps to hook up to the system, leaving 72 people who still had not gotten a permit or contractor.
"We've been very lenient, even moving the initial deadline back from December," township Supervisor Michael Giannetta said. "But the hourglass is empty."
If found guilty of violating the township's ordinance to hook up to the system, people will be charged with a summary offense, Mr. Giannetta said.
Mr. Giannetta added that if the violators don't pay the fine levied by the judge, the magistrate can order a warrant for their arrest.
"Some people still aren't taking it seriously," Mr. Giannetta said. "But they are going to get whacked by the magistrate."
The $18.4 million sewer project became available for hookup on Aug. 21, at which time all residents along the line were notified and given 90 days to connect to the system, Mr. Ferraro said.
The system is part of a plan to address the state Department of Environmental Protection's concerns regarding malfunctioning septic systems polluting Griffin Pond and Chapman Lake.
Contact the writer: miorfino@timesshamrock.com