Forks Fire Loss Ordinance Proposal Extinguished

Forks Township Zoning Officer Tim Weis thought he had a good idea.

He wanted to pitch to the Board of Supervisors a proposal that would help the township take measures when a building or home was destroyed by a fire.

Weis proposed an ordinance that Forks Township officials would intervene in main fire loss claims when a building is boarded up to ensure safety measures.

He said in the past decade, the township had 14 structure fires where safety measures weren't taken at some structures for three to six months and another for a year because of insurance issues.

Weis said the state was allowing municipalities to step in to make the property safe.

"I think it's too complicated to maintain," Supervisor David Billings said when the matter was debated at last month's meeting.

But there was a debate over the language of the law. And several supervisors seemed lukewarm on the proposal.

"When there's a fire loss, to make the township jump in isn't such a good idea," Supervisors Chairman Erik Chuss said. "It sounds like we can collect any outstanding taxes if the property is rebuilt. We want to get paid."

Township Solicitor Karl Kline said an ordinance like this is useful more for cities or other municipalities with many blighted properties.

"Let it die here tonight and not move forward," Supervisor Dan Martyak said.

"It died about 15 minutes ago," Supervisor Bob Egolf chuckled at the end of the discussion.