MILLCREEK ADOPTS AND IMPLEMENTS
PROPERTY MAINTENANCE AND FIRE CODES
Millcreek’s Supervisors on December 17, 2013 approved ordinances which adopted the 2012 edition of the International Property Maintenance Code and the 2009 edition of the International Fire Code as Township codes.
Millcreek’s codes reflect certain amendments to the International Codes, which are published by the International Code Council and adopted by many states and municipalities. In part, Millcreek amended the process of administering and enforcing the codes so as to comply with governing law and existing process. Millcreek’s Property Maintenance Code substituted existing Township regulations on certain matters (including numbering of buildings, handling of municipal waste and recyclable materials, swimming pools and vehicles) for those in the International Code.
Millcreek’s new Fire Code was adopted by Ordinance No. 2013-13, which noted amendments to the 2009 International Fire Code. Millcreek’s new Property Maintenance Code was adopted by Ordinance No. 2013-14, which also noted amendments to the International Code and provided for publication of a stand-alone Township code. Both of these ordinances and the new Property Maintenance Code as adopted are accessible through this web site.
Both codes become effective as of January 1, 2014. After a public process seeking proposals, the Supervisors also awarded a contract to Building Inspection Underwriters of Pennsylvania, Inc. (“BIU”) to administer and enforce the new codes.
Fire Code
The International Fire Code has been among those codes adopted as part of Pennsylvania’s Construction Code, which governs new construction. Currently, the 2009 edition of the International Fire Code has been adopted as part of the State’s Construction Code. For the sake of consistency, the Supervisors adopted the 2009 edition of the Code. Ordinance 2013-13 makes clear that Millcreek’s adoption of the Fire Code is not intended to apply to regulation of new construction which is done under Millcreek Ordinance 2004-9. The Fire Code was adopted to ensure that current standards are in place for existing buildings. Ordinance 2013-13 is accessible through the main page of the Ordinances section.
Millcreek’s contract with BIU provides generally for three types of services involving the Fire Code. As fire code official, BIU will inspect existing non-residential structures for compliance with fire safety regulations set forth in Chapter 7 of the Property Maintenance Code and/or in the Fire Code as adopted. Upon request, the fire code official will provide inspections and input in two circumstances, both upon request of an owner or occupant:
· Conduct fire safety inspections of existing single-family dwellings, with findings
then being provided to the owner and the Township; and
· Conduct fire safety inspections of existing non-residential buildings as to specific
conditions or processes that do not involve inspection of an entire facility, with
findings then being provided to the owner and the Township.
Property Maintenance Code
*** 2013 Property Maintenance Codes Book CLICK HERE
The Property Maintenance Code addresses minimum standards for interior and exterior maintenance of existing buildings and structures. The Supervisors adopted a Property Maintenance Code largely to protect against deterioration of the condition of buildings throughout the Township by focusing on fundamental standards before conditions deteriorate to the point where an owner will not correct violations. Ordinance 2013-14 is accessible through the main page of the Ordinances section. You can access the entire Property Maintenance Code as adopted in this section.
Initially, BIU will focus its work in two distinct areas, using a similar standard in its inspections. Each year, it will survey areas of the Township assigned by Millcreek to identify any buildings or structures which fail to meet established minimum standards of fundamental safety and stability. BIU will also receive and review complaints received as to conditions of a particular property. Where violations are found to exist, BIU will cite the owner or other responsible party. If violations are not corrected promptly, BIU as code official will bring actions to enforce the code and impose fines for violation.
In general surveys of properties and in responding to complaints, BIU has been instructed by the Township to follow the same standards in determining whether a violation occurs. These standards do not include every technical requirement in the adopted Code, because in both of these cases, the Township’s concern is with identifying and resolving serious defective conditions. The initial standard being followed by BIU is to focus generally on matters relating directly to -
Unsafe conditions [such as Sections 304.4, 305.1 of the Code]
Dilapidated or deteriorated property conditions
Exterior areas uncovered and exposed to the elements [see Sections 304.2, 304.7]
Sanitation [Section 302.1]
Weeds, grass and vegetation in excess of 8" height or otherwise violating Section 302.4
Motor vehicles violating Township standards in Section 302.8
Swimming pool standards [set forth in Sections 302.1, 303.2]
Premises identification [Section 304.3]
Insect screens [Section 304.14]
Rubbish and garbage standards [see Section 308]
Generally, BIU will provide an owner with written notice where a violation has been found, and the owner will be given an opportunity to rectify the violation with a date being set for a second inspection. Services to this point are within the Township’s contract with BIU. The Township likely will establish a schedule of fees for any additional work required by an owner’s failure to take action by the second inspection, etc.
Additional Inspection Programs
Millcreek anticipates establishing programs of regular inspection of residential rental properties and commercial properties, which would become effective as early as 2015. Largely for this reason, the Township will not process tenants’ complaints until the rental inspection program is established and can treat similarly used properties in a consistent way.
Help Needed!
Millcreek Township is displaying 8x10 photos of all past Supervisors. We are in need of several photos. If you can provide a photograph of one or more of the supervisors on our list, please let us know. You can drop off the photograph at the Millcreek Township Administrative Offices at 3608 West 26th Street or you can e-mail the photograph to Rick Figaski at rfigaski@millcreektownship.com.
Supervisor Photographs
| Supervisor Name |
Service Years |
Received |
| J. P. Zaun |
1906-1909 |
|
| H. H. Russell |
1906-1910 |
|
| L. W. Wolf |
1906-1915 |
|
| F. A. Wagner |
1910-1917 |
|
| S. J. Appleman |
1917-1923 |
|
| E. R. Rinderle |
1919-1921 |
|
| F. C. Zaun |
1921-1927 |
|
| Leo J. Rinderle |
1922-1927 |
|
| J. W. Wynkoop |
1923-1929 |
|
| S. A. Struchen |
1927-1939 |
|
| George E. Williams |
1942-1958 |
|
| Oliver Carson |
1944-1947 |
|
NEW STATE LAW REQUIRES REGISTRATION OF HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTORS
(This is a summary of the new law, click here for complete law [pdf file])
Effective July 1, 2009 , the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (Act No. 132 of 2008) imposes registration requirements on all contractors who perform home improvements for which the total cash value is $5,000 or more per year and enables consumers to learn whether a contractor is properly registered.
Contractors who must register
Subject to 2 exceptions, all persons who own and operate a home improvement business or who performs, offers to perform or agrees to perform any home improvement (including persons who contract with a home improvement retailer) must register with the office of the Pennsylvania Attorney General. The term “contractor” does not include persons who perform home improvements having a cash value of less than $5,000 during the previous taxable year and home improvement retailers that have a net worth of more than $50 million or employees of that retailer who do not perform home improvements.
The Act
The text of the home Improvement Consumer Protection Act is available through the link below and also on the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s web site (www.attorneygeneral.gov).
The Commonwealth, not municipalities, will be responsible for the registration of home improvement contractors. Section 7 of the Act discusses home improvement contracts. Among other things, that section states that a home improvement contract is not valid or enforceable against an owner unless it:
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is legible, in writing and contains the contractor’s registration number;
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is signed by the owner or owner’s agent and the contractor or a person acting for the contractor;
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contains the entire agreement, including attached copies of required notices;
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includes the date of the transaction;
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includes the name, address (not a P.O. Box alone) and telephone number of the contractor;
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contains the approximate starting date and completion date;
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includes a description of the work to be done, materials to be used and a set of specifications that
cannot be changed without a written “change order” signed by the owner and the contractor;
materials, with these amounts listed separately;
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includes the names, addresses and telephone numbers of all subcontractors on the project known at the date of signing the contract (a post office box number alone is not considered an address);
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agrees to maintain liability and property damage insurance coverage as specified in the Act;
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includes the Bureau of Consumer Protection’s toll-free telephone number; and
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includes a notice of the owner’s right to rescind the contract within 3 business days.
Contractor Registration
The Act establishes requirements and procedures governing registration by contractors. The Attorney General’s office allows and encourages contractors to register via its internet web site.
Home Improvement Fraud
Section 8 of the Act defines the offense of home improvement fraud, establishes penalties for violation and enforcement procedures. The County’s District Attorney and the Pennsylvania Attorney General will have jurisdiction to bring actions for violation.
Consumer Rights
The Act provides certain rights intended to protect consumers. It also ensures that consumers can determine whether a contractor is registered as the law requires through the Attorney General’s web site - www.attorneygeneral.gov.
Township Comment:
This information is provided to assist consumers and home improvement contractors in learning about the new law. Municipalities do not have authority to enforce this new law. You should review the law for its specific provisions and consult the Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection for additional information.
NOTICE DISPLAY OF ACTION PLAN
COMMENT PERIOD AND
FINAL PUBLIC HEARING
MILLCREEK TOWNSHIP FY 2014 CDBG PROGRAM
Notice is hereby given that Millcreek Township intends to make application to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for FY 2014 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds in the amount of $207,716 to undertake activities which address community development and/or housing needs as identified in the Township’s Five Year Consolidated Plan, and which primarily benefit low-to-moderate income persons. The Township is entitled to the grant monies each year under the provisions of Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended.
Based upon a public needs hearing and a review of project requests, the Township proposes that its FY 2014 CDBG funds be used for the following activities:
1) $142,173 - Sidewalk Accessibility Project- Phase III
2) $ 9,000 - LifeWorks Health Program Support Project
3) $ 15,000 - J.O.Y. Center Program Expansion Project
4) $ 11,000 -HANDS Affordable Housing Planning Project
5) $ 30,543 - Program Administration
A “Draft” Action Plan which briefly describes the activities is available for public review on Millcreek Township’s website (www.millcreektownship.com) and at the below listed locations for thirty (30) days - April 4 through May 5, 2014. Any persons, groups, or agencies wishing to comment on the “Draft” Action Plan should write to the Erie County Department of Planning (see below) or contact the ECDP by phone: (814) 451-6016; fax (814) 451-7000, or email: jberdis@eriecountygov.org.
Millcreek Township Municipal Building
Room 203, 3608 West 26th Street; Erie PA 16506
and
Erie County Department of Planning, Room 111,
Erie County Courthouse, 140 West 6th St. Erie, PA 16501
A final public hearing to discuss how the Township proposes to use its FY 2014 CDBG funds is scheduled for 10:00 AM on Thursday, April 24, 2014 in the Assembly Room of the Millcreek Township Municipal Building.
The Township Supervisors are expected to consider approval of the Action Plan (funding application) on May 13, 2014 at their regularly scheduled meeting. The Action Plan will be submitted to HUD for approval by May 16, 2014.
Millcreek Township Supervisors
Note: Notice to appear in Classified/Public Notices Section of the Erie Times on April 3, 2014.
Community Development Block Grant Program Information (pdf)
FAIR HOUSING NOTICE
This notice will serve to advise residents of Millcreek Township that the following actions, if based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status (families with children), or handicap, are considered discriminatory.
1 Refusing to sell or rent to, deal or negotiate with any person.
2 Discriminating by advertising that housing is available only to persons of a certain race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status or handicap.
3 Denying that housing is available for inspection, sale or rent when it really is available.
4 Blockbusting for profit, persuading owners to sell or rent housing by telling them that minority groups are moving into the neighborhood.
5 Denying or making different terms or conditions for home loans by financial institutions.
6 Denying to anyone the use of, or participation in, any real estate service, multiple-list service or other facilities related to the selling and renting of housing.
Any resident who believes they have been discriminated against under any of the above conditions may file a complaint with:
Erie County Human Relations Commission
1001 State Street, Suite #812
Renaissance Centre
Erie , PA 16501
Phone: 814-451-7021
Fax: 814-451-7066
MILLCREEK TOWNSHIP GOVERNMENT STUDY COMMISSION
Offical Report
August 28, 2012
The links below will give you, the user access to the Official Report of the Millcreek Township Government Study Commision. Some of them are large files and may take a while to download. They also require Adobe Acrobat Reader to be on you computer. If you need the reader CLICK HERE.
Also, if you wish to view a taping of the August 28th 2012 Supervisor's meeting on YouTube, please CLICK HERE.
Neighborhood Watch Initiative
The Millcreek Township Police Department is beginning a Neighborhood Watch program in an effort to gain community assistance in the battle against crime. We are looking for people who will communicate with citizens in their neighborhoods, people who will generate interest in the program, and a person to act as a contact. We will introduce the interested people to the Erie County Neighborhood Watch Council and they will walk us through the steps necessary to start the program. Our Police Department will act as a resource and supply input at the meetings to help assist with the process.
Numerous crimes within our community are resolved through the cooperation of citizens. We are not looking for people to intervene with crimes in progress, but to simply be our eyes and ears to alert officers when suspicious activity is afoot. With your help, we can minimize crime in your neighborhoods, assist you with making your homes less vulnerable, and keep your neighborhoods safer.
If you are interested in starting a program in your neighborhood, or simply want additional information, please call Sergeant Michael Little at 814-838-9515 ext. 425 or email at little@millcreektownship.com.