EAST TAYLOR TOWNSHIP OUTDOOR FURNACE WORKSHOP MARCH 12th, 2009 6:00 P.M. 
 2402 William Penn Ave
 Johnstown, Pa 15909

THE MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER BY CHAIRPERSON MARY WOZNAK. ALL STOOD TO PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG AND OBSERVE A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR OUR TROOPS OVERSEAS.

ROLL CALL: JOSEPH PERUSO-present, ROBERT SPANKO -present, ART THOMSON -present, RANDY VOJTOWICZ -present, MARY WOZNAK -present. ALSO: RUSS HEIPLE -absent AND SHANNAN KESTER -present.

Woznak: we called this meeting to discuss the outdoor furnace situation we need to get public opinion on how they feel concerning outdoor furnaces and putting restrictions such as how far away from other residences, how high to put the flu. We need your opinions.

Audrey Vojtowicz: my theory is we live here with Bethlehem all these years people are still living to a ripe old age so why can't our own throats?

Spanko: I brought an article in the paper about townships that banned them. Northern Cambria, Nanty-Glo, Somerset Borough, Berlin, Saltsburg all banned outdoor furnaces. 

Peruso -I will not go along with banning them but I agree we need some restrictions. 

Spanko -I have an ordinance from Portage Township on restrictions with outdoor furnaces that was recently passed.(Spanko read parts of the ordinance to everyone). 

Audrey -I'm against the township banning them. 

Sheehan-will you are talking about using these for heat so most people won't be outside in the winter. 

Thompson -that's why we are asking everyone should we ban them for certain months we would like your opinion on this matter. 

Manny Pena-most furnaces that run all year are also running to heat the hot water for the house. Now the newer outdoor furnaces you would like to have a lot of problems with smoke because they are built to comply with the DEP and everyone else. If you try and regulate them you may end up hurting people that cannot afford to pay for oil or another source of heat. So that's what we are here for now to sit down and try and solve this before the township is forced to make an ordinance like Northern Cambria. 

Spanko -Portage has it set up that there is a permit fee of $25 and then someone comes out to make sure they comply with the ordinance. 

Manny-who is going to pay to get someone certified to inspect the furnaces? 

Spanko -we don't want them inspecting the furnaces we just need to be sure they comply with the ordinances for setbacks and other stuff.

Discussion on the outdoor furnaces in suit with concerns about why the township wants to restrict them, restrictions on what the burn them, on where to put them because of smoke, nuisances of smoke hanging in the township, and how much property you need to own. The residents asked for a copy of the ordinance from portage to look over before the next meeting so they can present questions and any other concerns that they have. Vojtowicz-we will make copies and you will be able to pick them up in the office anytime.

Woznak -the next meeting on outdoor furnaces will be next month April 9 at 6 PM with the regular meeting to immediately follow.

Motion to adjourn made by Vojtowicz. Seconded by Peruso. All Ayes. Motion carried.
Adjournment at 6:45 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Shannan Kester