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Carnegie/Bridgeville

Collier deems roosters public nuisance, hires new code enforcement officer

David Mayernik Jr. | Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016, 1:42 p.m.

Collier has a new law governing roosters in the township — they're not welcome.

The commissioners approved an ordinance designating the animals a public nuisance, “except as part of a bona fide farm” at their Nov. 9 meeting.

Manager Sal Sirabella said the law goes into effect 30 days after it was approved.

At that time, when a complaint of disturbance is lodged due to rooster crowing, a code enforcement officer is authorized to issue written warnings to the owner. Subsequent steps would include issuance of a citation and seizure of the animal.

Collier already has an ordinance addressing when barking dogs can be considered a public nuisance.

Commissioners received a resident complaint last month about one of the animals disturbing the peace.

“Certainly, in the past we've had complaints and we haven't addressed them, Sirabella said. “At this point, the commissioners said, ‘Let's get this done.'”

The ordinance states rooster crowing can occur at unpredictable times and is difficult for township officials to investigate due to the unavailability of a code enforcement officer to be present.

• Commissioners also approved hiring Brian Ralston, of Westwood, as Collier's code/fire enforcement officer.

Ralston begins work on Nov. 21 at an annual salary of $58,000. He previously worked as supervisor, operations and property maintenance, building/code inspector for the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Building Inspection.

He replaces Tom Plietz, who resigned after serving for the past five years.

Sirabella said Ralston is responsible for administering the commercial and residential building code under the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code.

“(His) responsibility is to enforce the ... building code and zoning and fire ordinance,” Sirabella said. “He comes with good experience from the City of Pittsburgh … We're pleased about that.”

• The commissioners hosted Chartiers Valley High School boys varsity soccer team and approved a proclamation congratulating the team for winning the 2016 WPIAL Class AAA championship.

The team, which finished its season 17-4, defeated Mars, 1-0, at Highmark Stadium on Nov. 5 to win its first title in 15 years.

The proclamation states: “The Collier Township Commissioners recognize that accomplishments such as this by the 2016 Chartiers Valley High School Boys Varsity Soccer Team, coupled with the numerous academic achievements of other Chartiers Valley students, have advanced a vision of a great future for our community and region.”

David Mayernik Jr. is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 412-320-7975 or dmayernik@tribweb.com.

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