MERCER TWP — The township supervisors introduced the new code enforcement officer and heard concerns about fire prevention at Monday night’s meeting.

Board chairman John Bennett introduced Warren Whetzel, who was appointed Oct. 3. Whetzel also serves on the Barkeyville Borough Council. He was a school resource officer in Mercer Area School District and a community emergency response team member.

“If you need anything, just give me a holler,” he said. “I’m new at this job, so I’m just learning as I go.”

If the township deems it necessary after repeated noncompliance, they send the code enforcement officer to serve warnings or consequences in writing and monitor progress.

The board also discussed tree maintenance and dry hydrant installation as fire prevention measures with Harrisville Volunteer Fire Company 1st Lt. David Evans.

Dry hydrants pump from a nearby body of water instead of the municipal water system. Two new dry hydrants would cost about $2,230, Evans said.

The fire company gets a state grant to maintain their dry hydrants, Bennett said.

One of these dry hydrants is nonfunctional and could become a safety hazard if the pond were to freeze over, Evans said. This specific hydrant, across from the borough maintenance building, was installed by the fire company in the early 1990s, according to Evans and Bennett.

Evans also asked the supervisors on behalf of Harrisville borough to contribute $1,500 to removing and trimming low-hanging trees that are blocking one lane of Wick Avenue in the borough. He said the property owner agreed that three trees may be removed, and others may be trimmed to clear the lane.

Board vice chairman Richard Stuchal objected, saying that while the township has allocated funds for similar requests, the fire company receives state funding to maintain Wick Avenue, and supervisors expect them to finance the work themselves.

Money from the liquid fuels fund, which comes from fuel taxes and licenses, can also be used for maintenance costs, Stuchal said.

Additionally, Mercer Township is still awaiting reimbursement for legal and engineering expenses regarding Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park at Kozy Rest’s sewage expansion. The campground and resort is under the authority of Marion Township. Once municipal agreements are in place, the supervisors will approve the sewage system before connecting it in Mercer Township.

Little construction will be seen in Mercer Township for this project. According to Bennett, residents may see some digging along Campground Road.

The board also reported that Mercer Township has 14 properties delinquent in public sewer payments by five or more months, 11 property liens, seven properties with incomplete sewage connections or inspections and six sheriff-sale properties.

The Mercer Township board of supervisors will meet next at 1 p.m. on Oct. 24 to discuss the 2024 budget, and on Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. for a regularly scheduled meeting.