Each month during the West Penn Township supervisors' meeting, Police Chief Brian Johnson reads his monthly report, which includes the number of miles the officers have traveled while on patrol. That number is typically more than 6,000 miles.

So why not involve the police officers in code enforcement? A few months ago, Johnson and the supervisors began discussing how that could work, and during Monday's meeting, they took definite steps toward implementing the plans. They directed township solicitor Gretchen Stearns to amend the township's property maintenance ordinance to add language that gives the police officers the authority to warn, cite and fine property owners who are in violation. The township's zoning officer will also have that authority."Why not?" Johnson said after the meeting. "At the end of the day, we're here to help the township, and this is a way we can help the township save money.""We're out patrolling, and seeing things all over the township," he said. "Adding this to our duties will give us the opportunity to stop and make the contact, and get the correction started and the process in motion."Our job as police officers is to protect and serve, so I think it makes sense that we're also involved in helping preserve the quality of life in the township," Johnson said.During the meeting, the supervisors kicked around some ideas of which violations were most common and would be listed on a form, such as high grass and weeds, junk vehicles and barking dogs. They hope to vote on the amended ordinance at their next meeting.In other action, the supervisors finalized their application for a $94,000 Sewage Facilities Grant, which if awarded will offset costs associated with the development of their Act 537 sewage facilities plan. The grant is available through the Commonwealth Financing Authority through funds accrued through Marcellus Shale funds. West Penn and Walker townships have been working together on a joint Act 537 Plan, and had hired Rettew Engineering to develop it. Rettew was also the engineering firm employed by the township for other projects.But when the plan was submitted late last year, the Department of Environmental Protection rejected it and sent it back with a list of corrections to be made. Rettew estimated the cost of the corrections at about $40,000; the townships have already spent more than $400,000 in engineering fees.During their reorganization in January, the supervisors hired Alfred Benesch & Co., based in Pottsville, to serve as the township's engineering firm, and retained Rettew to complete work on the Act 537 plan only. Engineer Jeff DeAngelo, who represents Benesch for West Penn, learned of the grant monies and completed the application on behalf of the townships.Benesch has also completed the township's Comprehensive Plan, which will soon be available for public review at the township building. There will also be a public hearing on the comprehensive plan, scheduled for Nov. 3, following the regular monthly supervisors' meeting.The township's first budget meeting will be 6 p.m. Oct. 6, before the regular monthly supervisors' meeting.