Unity man steps down as township auditor, takes on code enforcement post

Unity Township is looking for a replacement auditor after a member of that elected board resigned and took on a new role as the township’s part-time code enforcement officer.

The township supervisors on Thursday accepted the resignation of Greg Fumea from the three-member board of auditors and hired him to help with code enforcement duties.

Supervisors Chairman John Mylant said Fumea brings previous experience serving on Unity’s appointed zoning hearing board and will be trained by full-time code enforcement officer Steve Yanchik, whom he’ll assist.

Fumea is expected to work about 30 hours per week and will be paid $20 per hour.

Mylant said Fumea will help to address blighted properties in the township.

“It’s terrible,” Mylant said. “It’s time to take a stand and start cleaning up the community. The work is there. We need somebody to hit the ground running.”

Yanchik also performs home inspections. “He’s inundated,” said Supervisor Mike O’Barto.

Fumea ran unsuccessfully for township supervisors in 2017. He served on Unity’s zoning hearing board for more than seven years before gaining a seat on the township board of auditors in 2016.

Township seeks pandemic cost recovery

The supervisors will apply for funding through Westmoreland County’s CARES municipal grant program, which is meant to help local communities cover unbudgeted, coronavirus-related expenses of up to $30,000 incurred from March 1 through Oct. 1. The application deadline for the federally-derived money is Oct. 15.

O’Barto estimated Unity has faced pandemic-related expenses ranging between $20,000 and $30,000. That includes renovation of the lobby in the township building.

To help maintain social distancing and to provide added security, the reworked space restricts access to interior offices and has two windows where residents can make tax payments.

Dates set for leaf collection

The supervisors announced that leaves placed in biodegradable bags, tied securely and placed at the curb, will be picked up on Oct. 10 and 24, Nov. 7 and 14 and Dec. 5. Residents must call their garbage hauler to arrange for the service.

Leaves also may be dropped off at a designated area behind the township building. Those leaves should be removed from bags, which may be discarded in a provided receptacle.