COAL TOWNSHIP - Another blighted property was added to Coal Township's "Wall of Shame" Monday night.
During a brief meeting, Coal Township commissioners granted permission to township manager Robert Slaby Jr. to add a dilapidated vacant house at 1638 Wabash St. to the township's list of blighted properties.
The property, which is owned by the late Helen Zaborny, will be listed on the township's website, coaltownship.org., which contains the names, telephone numbers and addresses of blighted properties throughout the township. Signs also will be posted by the township on the properties themselves listing the same information, if available.
Township Solicitor Vincent Rovito said Zaborny and her family received all of the proper permits to
build a new home on the property at 1640 Wabash St. on Oct. 27, 2008, with the understanding that once the new home was completed, the old house at 1638 Wabash St. would be demolished.
But Rovito said the old home, which contains severe structural hazards, was never demolished. He said Zaborny was cited several times in March after being given more than adequate time to raze the structure. But he said Zaborny failed to respond to the citations, prompting warrants to be issued. A short time later, Zaborny passed away. Her family continues to reside in the property at 1640 Wabash St.
In other business
Commissioners Craig Fetterman, George Zalar and Gerard Waugh adopted an ordinance that establishes two stop signs at Church and Harvey streets, a stop sign at Clay and Hunter streets, a stop sign at Oak and State streets, and a stop sign at Hunter and Webster streets.
Commissioners Gene Welsh and Paul Petrovich were unable to attend the meeting.
The commissioners agreed to sell a 2001 Ford Crown Victoria to Police Car Store, LLC, of Bala Cynwyd, for $689. Police Car Store was the lowest of three bidders.
The board passed a motion to purchase a 2011 Ford F-550 truck from Hondru Fleet in Manheim for $41,817.40. Fifty-five percent of the cost will be reimbursed through a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant obtained by the township.
Waugh thanked everyone who participated or assisted in a recent golf tournament sponsored by the Lower Anthracite Regional Recreation Committee that raised approximately $6,000.
He said another committee fund-raising event known as "The Dueling Pianos," will be held at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, at Brady Fire Company.
Slaby said progress is being made on the construction of a recreation area along Trevorton Road that will contain soccer and baseball fields, and possibly a walking trail.