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Businesses must register, get annual fire inspections in Collier
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Starting Jan. 1, all Collier businesses annually must register their establishments with the township for periodic code and ordinance compliance inspection. All business property and employees are to be included in the registration, too.
The new law, adopted unanimously last week, will provide Collier with a collective inventory of its businesses. In return, each business will receive a fire safety inspection.
"We will be doing fire inspections now for the first time on a uniform basis," said manager Sal Sirabella.
Officials explained at last week's meeting that the ordinance amendment was prompted by the desire to ensure that minimal safety standards are met.
"I think it will add a lot," Bob Schuler, president of the township board of commissioners, said later.
He added that the fire safety inspections would be conducted by codes/zoning officer Tom Plietz, former fire chief in Mount Oliver.
Cost for the initial inspection of a business will be $50; after that, businesses will pay $25 a year for each annual inspection. Nonprofits will be charged $25 for the first inspection and $12.50 for renewal inspections.
Mr. Sirabella said the township will send advisory letters about the new registration requirement and fire safety check to all businesses in late August or early September.
"It's a minimum fee for a positive impact," he said.
In a related matter, the board adopted a resolution to apply for a Community Development Block Grant with Allegheny County for the removal of dilapidated buildings in the township.
Mr. Sirabella estimated that there are 10-12 blighted structures in Collier that should be removed.
In other action, commissioners said the dek hockey rink to be installed at the new Collier Community Park is on order.
They approved a $148,200 contract with Rink Systems Inc. Officials hope the new rink, which came in under budget, will be installed by the end of the year.
Also in the works is a federally mandated street sign program to take place over the next four years.
The new signs, which will be of specific size and reflectivity, will feature a blue background with white letters and the Collier shield on the left hand side.
The first batch of the new signs will be installed on McMichael and Baldwin roads.
Commissioners tabled the award of a contract for an electronic message center at the driveway entrance to the municipal complex. Approximate cost of the sign is nearly $20,000.
Approved was a $3,285 payment to Zoltun Studios Inc. The payment is the first of three installments for a new township website that officials hope to have online by Oct. 1.
The board also entered into a contract with Jordan Tax Service Inc. to bill and collect for sewage services. The contract will take effect Oct. 1. Jordan was the lowest of three bidders.
Mr, Schuler reported that the annual Hall of Flame golf tournament held earlier this month at The Club at Nevillewood raised approximately $35,000 for Collier's three volunteer fire departments.
Ron Brame, director of public works, reported that crews had recycled 800 tires within the last year. Many of the tires were gathered from the sides of roads.
First Published July 19, 2012 5:03 am
