[Ord. 308, 4/6/1989; as added by Ord. 656, 4/9/2015]
This Part shall be known and may be cited as the "Composting
Ordinance."
[Ord. 308, 4/6/1989; as amended by Ord. 656, 4/9/2015]
As used in this Part, the following terms shall have the meaning
indicated:
A technique used to accelerate the natural decay process
by converting organic waste into a mulch which is used to fertilize
and condition soil.
Material which cannot be decomposed by the action of natural
biological organisms or for which such decomposition is measured in
centuries rather than years or decades.
[Ord. 308, 4/6/1989; as amended by Ord. 656, 4/9/2015]
It shall be prohibited for any person, natural, corporate or
otherwise, to discard any nonbiodegradable material upon property
in the Township, whether public or private, unless such property is
licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
as a sanitary disposal facility and is being operated in compliance
with all applicable federal, state, county and Township laws, statutes
and regulations.
[Ord. 308, 4/6/1989; as amended by Ord. 656, 4/9/2015]
1.
The composting of organic, biodegradable material shall be permissible
only on property being used for residential or educational purposes
on the property on which it is generated and stored and when the waste
material is being utilized as compost.
2.
Combustible materials consist of leaves, grass clippings, plant stalks,
vines, weeds, twigs, branches, fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee
grounds, eggshells, nutshells, hair clippings, feathers, straw and
similar materials.
3.
Any composting activity which is being undertaken in accordance with
this Part or any other applicable regulations of the Township shall
not create a hazard or nuisance for neighboring properties with respect
to malodorous odors, unsightly or unhealthy compost piles or composting
activities which tend to attract insects, animals, rodents or other
vermin.
[Ord. 308, 4/6/1989; as amended by Ord. 414, 4/13/1994, § 172-17;
by Ord. 449, 6/19/1996; by Ord. 460, 4/9/1997; and by Ord. 656, 4/9/2015]
Any person, firm, or corporation who shall violate any provision
of this Part, or fails to comply therewith, or with any of the requirements
thereof, upon conviction thereof in an action brought before a magisterial
district judge in the manner provided for the enforcement of summary
offenses under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, shall
be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $1,000
plus costs, including reasonable attorney fees incurred by the Township,
and, in default of payment of said fine and costs, to a term of imprisonment
to the extent permitted by law for the punishment of summary offenses.
A separate offense shall arise for each day or portion thereof in
which a violation of this Part is found to exist and for each section
of this Part found to have been violated. The Township may also commence
appropriate actions in equity or other to prevent, restrain, correct,
enjoin, or abate violations of this Part. All fines and penalties
collected for violations of this Part shall be paid to the Township
Treasurer. The initial determination of ordinance violation is hereby
delegated to the Township Manager, the Police Department, the Code
Official, the authorized designee of the Township Manager, and to
any other officer or agent that the Township Manager or the Board
of Supervisors shall deem appropriate.
