Millcreek Township adopts Quality of Life ordinance to address property violations

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The Millcreek Township Board of Supervisors unanimously agreed to adopt a Quality of Life ordinance at its monthly meeting Wednesday.

As explained by solicitor Andrew Morrow, the ordinance gives the township’s code enforcement official another avenue to handle outdoor violations. The code enforcement official – Karen Brown, with Commonwealth Code Services – recommended the township adopt the ordinance.

The ordinance allows the official to ticket property-owners for violations including high weeds, accumulation of rubbish, unregistered/inoperative vehicles, and more.

Read More: Millcreek Township to vote on Quality of Life ordinance, budget in December

The ordinance establishes fines for violations with occurrences tracked over a 12-month period. First violations come with a $25 fine, second offenses incur $50, and third offenses cost $100. Each subsequent offense generates a $200 fine.

Some offenses, such as overgrown weeds, can be handled by the township with costs billed to the property owner.

During his report, Morrow noted that throughout 2025, the board has responded to resident complaints by adopting the International Property Maintenance Code, appointing a code enforcement official, and, now, adopting a Quality of Life ordinance. This was precipitated by complaints of unmaintained properties, which the township had limited means to address.

“So really, in this year, there has been a substantial leap forward in property maintenance,” said Morrow. “It’s not always easy to take the plunge and to do it, but you guys have definitely done that and, I think, more. I do just want to acknowledge, for the record here, that there has been a good amount done this year, and you guys should, frankly, be applauded for all the things you’ve done.”

Morrow also thanked supervisor Scott Moyer, who oversaw his last meeting Wednesday. Following a six-year term as supervisor, Moyer did not run for reelection.

“I always tell people that nobody forces you guys to do this, you volunteer to do this, and you’ve been a really good public servant,” Morrow said to Moyer.

Supervisor Eric Weidman also thanked Moyer for his time, noting that he had been instrumental in setting up CDs and overseeing the road crew.

Though no one officially ran in either primary, Republican Adam Saul, who received 66 write-in votes in May, ultimately won the November election and secured the open seat. Saul will take office at the board’s January reorganization meeting.

In end-of-year business, supervisors:

• Unanimously approved the drafted 2026 budget, with no planned tax increase.
• Unanimously passed resolutions establishing fire hydrant, street light, and real estate tax rates at .054 mills, 77 cents per front footage (developed)/19 cents per front footage (undeveloped), and 1.33 mills, respectively. The township also maintains the per capita tax rate at $5 and the local services tax at $52.
• Unanimously authorized a maintenance agreement of $415 for the township’s traffic signal.
• Unanimously approved the transfer of $600 into petty cash for end-of-year bonuses for township staff.
• Unanimously approved the transfer of $15,000 into the police fund, $7,500 into the road fun, and $1,000 into community lights.

In other news, supervisors:

• Heard that Christmas tree pick-up will take place throughout the township Jan. 5-26, weather permitting. Curbside pickup will be available on all township roads.
• Unanimously approved final payments of $32,896.80 and $27,821.70 to Woodland Contractors for the salt shed project.
• Unanimously agreed to seek quotes to remove the porch roof and posts at 347 Main St., which recently lost its code enforcement case from the township regarding a collapsed porch roof and damaged post, with Morrow also reporting other issues as well. Costs will be billed to the property owner, and a lien will be placed on the property by the township if unpaid.
• Unanimously approved minutes and reports.

Millcreek Township Board of Supervisors meets the second Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. These meetings are open to the public and do not require prior registration.