Lower Frederick Supervisors Pass Property Maintenance Code

If you live in , make sure your grass is cut. Township supervisors passed the Property Maintenance Code in a 2-1 vote Tuesday night at the Board of Supervisors meeting; the code requires residents to reasonably maintain their property.

This code is identical to the statewide code, with few minor exceptions. It was adopted to replace a severely outdated code that has been around since the '50s, according to Township Manager Tamara Twardowski.

The intent of the ordinance is not to force residents to cut their grass, but to keep the community presentable and make sure that property owners are maintaining their lots and keeping them safe for the public.

“We’re doing it to address public safety,” said Twardowski. “When you get people who abandon homes, leave trash, or don’t cut grass, it poses a risk to the public.”

Though a code official can cite a property owner for a violation of the code, Twardowski said the township is not out to pick on people. Immediate action will not be taken against a violator unless it poses “imminent danger” to the public.

“We’ll work with them,” said Twardowski. If a violation is spotted or a resident complains to the township, a “friendly letter” will be sent to the violator. As long as the resident complies with the township, there will be no penalty. However, if they do not, a fine of up to $1,000 can be enforced.

Also discussed at the Board of Supervisor’s Meeting:

Operation Drug Take Back will return to Lower Frederick Township. The event will be held Saturday, Oct. 29 at the township building from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The last event was a statewide operation, but this time around the D.E.A. handpicked locations that were the most popular last time around.

Anyone is invited to bring any unwanted narcotics to the township building, and no questions will be asked. The intent of the program is to properly dispose of narcotics.