Blighted Properties Under Examination In Warminster

WARMINSTER, PA —The Warminster Township Board of Supervisors has named two supervisors to a committee that will examine blighted properties throughout the township.

At its meeting Thursday night, supervisors approved Vice President Katherine Frescatore and Supervisor Janice Charlton to co-chair the Blighted Property Committee.

"Kathy has been talking about this for years," Supervisors Chairman Kenneth Hayes told the crowd.

Supervisors approved adding long-time resident Jane Taylor to the committee and will name a planning board member to the committee at its April meeting.

"Why haven't we addressed this issue? We've been trying to keep the township out of bankruptcy," Frescatore said.

Frescatore said that hundreds of thousands of homes across the country are blighted, thus decreasing property values and causing a "real eyesore."

"We will increase property values and provide a better quality of life," she said. "I'm excited about this committee."

Supervisor Judy Hoover said the township has experienced a safety issue with blight where squatters sit in homes and have even parked vehicles on lawns.

"There's been some issues," Hayes stated.

Charlton told Patch after the meeting that she had compiled a list of 11 blighted properties so far.

In other township business:

• A new four-year contract agreement with the Warminster Township Employees Organization has been tabled at the request of Township Manager Tom Scott until the April meeting.
• Township administration has been authorized by supervisors to advertise a request for services for a professional property appraiser.