County backs Lake Twp. in junk dispute

LAKE TWP – Supervisors and residents received additional support from a local governmental agency to help stop alleged illegal dumping and burning by township resident William Harrison.

Harrison has been dumping and burning construction debris along with electronics on his Tulip Road property for several years, officials say.

Neighboring residents have said they are fed up with toxic smoke, dangerously out-of control bonfires, possible contaminants seeping into well water, and physical threats by Harrison. Last month, supervisors vowed to try to help by writing letters to several local governmental agencies and state representatives.

Some help is on the way from the Luzerne County Planning Commission, which oversees the zoning for the township.

Supervisor Amy Salansky said she received a letter, dated Nov. 6, from Adrian F. Merolli, executive director of the Luzerne County Planning Commission. Merolli stated the commission’s inspection of Harrison’s property revealed he was running a “junkyard with vehicles, debris and trash, on the property without zoning permission.”

Merolli said Harrison’s property is zoned agricultural and therefore requires a permit for a junkyard. Harrison must apply for a zoning permit or appeal the notice of violation by Nov. 25.

If Harrison fails to comply, legal action will be pursued, “which may result in possible fines of $500 per day being imposed”.

Township Solicitor Mark McNealis said in his experience the likelihood of the planning commission awarding a junkyard permit in an agricultural district is not great. He said if Harrison applies for a permit, a public hearing will be set. If residents show up in force to contest the permit, the more likely it will be denied, he said.

Harrison’s practices have caught the eye of the state Department of Environmental Protection. DEP gave Harrison 45 days beginning in August to clean up three piles of construction debris. In late September, DEP came to re-inspect and found the piles remained.

As a result of non-compliance, DEP filed two charges Oct. 28 against Harrison for unlawful dumping and burning of solid waste. Fines associated with the two DEP charges total $1,140.50. Harrison has 10 days to respond to DEP’s charges. If he fails to do so a hearing date will be set.

In other news, supervisors received notification from the state on their liquid fuels allocation for 2010. Secretary Carlene Price said the township will receive $78,660.04.

DP News

At issue is a property owned by William Harrison in an agricultural zone.

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