BUFFALO TWP — After several years of work, the updated township zoning ordinance could be approved this spring.

The township supervisors Wednesday set a public hearing on the zoning ordinance and an updated subdivision and land use ordinance for 6:30 p.m. April 1 in the township building on Bear Creek Road.

An outdoor lighting ordinance addressing light glare also will be discussed.

Following the public hearing, the supervisors could vote on the updates as soon as their April 8 meeting.

Police recognition

The supervisors recognized Lt. Alan Behanna, the department officer-in-charge, and Officer Sean Furlong for their quick resolution to the First National Bank robbery on Jan. 14.

The case was solved in less than 12 hours. Tarentum police arrested Bruce Tyson of Jefferson Township. He later confessed to Behanna and an FBI agent to the Buffalo robbery as well as a previous one in Middlesex Township.

Supervisor John Haven said the bank's employees sent a letter commending Behanna and Furlong.

Haven pointed out both officers worked past the end of their shift to solve the case.

"You guys deserve a lot of credit," he said.

Furlong credited bank employees for giving descriptions of the suspect and the getaway vehicle.

"They could have hid their eyes and ducked under their desks," he said.

Furlong called the arrest a result of a joint effort between Buffalo, Tarentum, Middlesex and Saxonburg police, the FBI and the bank.

Intermunicipal agreement

The supervisors also discussed a possible intermunicipal cooperation agreement with Tarentum.

Supervisor John Haven said township resident Pat O'Connor, a Tarentum employee, offered to change burned out incandescent light bulbs in traffic signals without charging Buffalo.

O'Connor does the same service for Freeport.

The township paid a company $720 to change five bulbs.

Haven said such fees are exorbitant.

"They're outrageous," he said.

Such a cooperation agreement would allow this kind of service because there are liability issues involving O'Connor's truck.

Supervisor Al Roenigk cautioned the rest of the board to limit the cooperation.

"They might need a dump truck in a snowstorm," he said.

Public Safety

The supervisors are dedicating their Feb. 25 meeting to public safety issues.

Topics related to the township's fire and police departments will be discussed.

Permit signs and fees

The supervisors set a new policy requiring a $250 deposit for anyone applying for a grading or building permit.

Any owed fees will be deducted from the deposit.

The policy also mandates a sign verifying the work is permitted to be on display in the ground.

The township will provide the signs to replace the smaller stickers used now on doors and windows.