Roberts Trucking Target of Complaints From Neighbors at Township Meeting

Monday morning’s meeting of the North East Township supervisors brought with it a large group of neighbors near Roberts Trucking who cited the long standing issue with dust from the company’s parking lot. Despite repeated concerns voiced in township meetings and numerous promises from Roberts Trucking to deal with the dust from the unpaved lot, nothing has been done to remedy the problem. The church directly to the north is now constantly cleaning the building, windows and doors, and filters on the air conditioners are replaced with much greater regularity. The grit still permeates the building and cars parked in the lot are covered in a layer of dust when the owners return. Houses nearby are affected the same way. Cleaning expenses are substantial.

Kirk Hill of Roberts Trucking has previously said the lot would eventually be paved after the ground settles, however, after eight years of settling, neighbors quite rightly question whether it will ever happen. Supervisors are going to reexamine the permit issued for the construction to see if there are remedies that may apply and encouraged the residents to file formal, written complaints relating to the zoning granted to the company and any nuisance issues that may apply.

Roberts has been planning on a new warehouse expansion project directly to the east of their current location. This issue made the community acutely aware of the need for very explicit restrictions on any building permits that may be issued along with the need to spell out remedies and penalties should they not abide by their agreement.

In other business, it was brought to the attention of the supervisors the agenda for the meeting had not been posted on the township website. Gus Neff said that was because there was little on it and he was reminded that whether there is little or a lot, residents need to know what business will be conducted by the supervisors at the meeting.

There was also discussion of a recommendation by the water and sewer authority about water charges for residents in the case of a known leak. Supervisors Neff and Shunk disagreed on the specifics of the resolution and since Robert Mazza was not in attendance, the matter was tabled until the next meeting when a vote could be taken.