Property maintenance issues were discussed among West Penn board of supervisors at Wednesday’s meeting.

Supervisor Tim Houser said he has fielded recent complaints of trash on properties.

“We feel that we have a really nice community and we want people to take pride in their properties,” Houser said.

“If you look around and see how the change is coming into the township and the way it’s evolving, we’re losing a lot more farm ground and it’s becoming basically a bedroom community to the Allentown area.”

Houser estimates there are about 10 properties in the township that are “really abusive,” while a few others aren’t so bad.

“I can’t believe these people come in this area build a $350,000 home and then they have somebody alongside of it pulling all kinds of junk cars and leaving trash around,” Houser said.

“Times are changing. We are going to have to look at some way of enforcing stricter property maintenance laws to keep everybody happy and still try to maintain that rural attitude in the township.”

Houser said there is currently a property maintenance ordinance in place. But it’s hard to enforce. Warnings can be issued now, but it’s not completely effective.

“If someone cleans up 10% of their property, and leaves the rest go, we have to go through the entire process again to try and get them to clean up the rest of it.”

Houser didn’t label it as a major problem, but one that needs to be addressed, due to the “laxness” of residents, he said.

“I don’t think it’s a majority of the township, but when you live alongside something like that - you don’t want that happening to you.

“I don’t think it’s a major problem at this point, but as we move forward, it’s better to try and hit it off now, before it gets worse, and that’s what we’re trying to do.”

According to Houser, the township engineer is currently reviewing a new code. Hope is that action can be taken in the near future.

“We’re going to take out what we need in the township, but basically we’re going to install the enforcement part of it, which is what we need to actually go after these problem areas.

“It will be much easier to enforce it, to take them in front of a district magistrate and implement penalties against them. I know it’s not something I personally like, but I think for the future, it’s something that we have to do.”

The next board of supervisors meeting is scheduled for Feb. 7 at 6 p.m.