A proposed ordinance that would limit the times and days outdoor burning is permitted to take place in Ligonier Township will appear on the supervisors' agenda again next month.

The board at its Oct. 13 meeting voted to table the ordinance, which was recommended for approval by the planning commission. The ordinance places restrictions on various aspects of burning, such as the types of material that may be burned.

For example, in residential areas, the ordinance limits materials that may be burned to paper products, newspaper and yard waste — excluding grass and building materials — from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Additionally, Saturday burning would be limited to 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. During daylight saving time and summer months, burning would be permitted from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Materials prohibited from burning include garbage, rubber, tires, paint, animal waste, plastics, diapers, toxic materials and any other materials consisting of rubbish, trade waste, refuse or garbage.

Outdoor fire pits, grills, fireplaces and stone rings used for recreational purposes are exempt from the restrictions, according to the ordinance, but they must be extinguished by 2 a.m.

Several residents spoke during public comment to express their opposition to the ordinance and its restrictions.

“I hope you people are smart enough not to vote for it,” said lifelong resident Rick Penrod. “I mean, we're not in Russia. We just pledged allegiance to the flag here just a second ago. Surely you don't believe in this.”

Initially, supervisor Bruce Robinson made a motion to reject the ordinance and send it back to the planning commission with comments so that the commission could continue working on it, but the motion was defeated.

The board then voted unanimously to table it, so the ordinance will be on the agenda again next month.

“It needs a lot of work,” said supervisor Paul Knupp, who said he wants to research what other communities have in place regarding burning.

Supervisor Gary Thistlethwaite said he wants more time to review the ordinance.

“I think we need some time to think about it and make some comments to the planning commission,” said chairman Wade Thomas, who felt the ordinance lacked common sense. “That ordinance is absolutely ridiculous.”

“You need a manual to know when you're supposed to burn,” he said. “Where's the sense in that?”

“Obviously it needed a lot of work,” Robinson said. “By tabling it tonight, that means it's going to come back up next month. I don't want to bring it up next month. I wanted to send it back.”

Robinson doesn't think tabling it will change anything for next month. “It's going to be the same issue next month as it is this month,” he said.

Supervisor Scott Matson declined to comment on his vote.

Currently the township does not have an ordinance that regulates burning, except for an emergency burning ban that prohibits fires determined to be a hazard because of weather or location. The proposed ordinance came about after the township received complaints from residents about burning a few months ago.

In other business, Thomas read a statement at the beginning regarding an executive session between Township Manager Terry Carcella, the supervisors' solicitor Gary Falatovich and members of the Ligonier Township Municipal Authority that occurred last week.

“The purpose of this meeting was to discuss access to authority property to conduct an evaluation,” he said. “The evaluation is designed to give the township supervisors some idea of the values of the authority's assets, its liabilities and income. This evaluation is part of the township's due diligence in determining whether the authority can be marketed for sale. No conclusions have been reached. No decisions have been made, and the authority board is cooperating with this process. We will report more on this process after the evaluation is complete.”

The supervisors approved setting Halloween trick-or-treat for Oct. 31 in alignment with Ligonier Borough. They also approved donating $1,500 to the Ligonier Valley Library.

Police chief Mike Matrunics reported that a motorist recently pushed over several street signs in the area of Nature Run Road and Kissell Springs Road. He asked for residents to report any activity they see in that area. Additionally, he cautioned residents that phone scams in which callers claim to be affiliated with the IRS are again plaguing the area.

The next meeting will be held 7 p.m. Nov. 10.

Nicole Chynoweth is a contributing writer for Trib Total Media.

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