Cocchi steps down, dangerous buildings discussed

ANYA TIKKA
Posted 8/21/12

LACKAWAXEN, PA — At Lackawaxen Township’s last meeting of the year, Supervisors Chair Robert Cocchi said his goodbyes, including his good wishes for Mike Mancini, who’s taking over. “I hope …

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Cocchi steps down, dangerous buildings discussed

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LACKAWAXEN, PA — At Lackawaxen Township’s last meeting of the year, Supervisors Chair Robert Cocchi said his goodbyes, including his good wishes for Mike Mancini, who’s taking over. “I hope you’ll treat him as well as you’ve treated me. It’s been an honor to serve you.”

Residents expressed appreciation for Cocchi. Marge Wasamer said, “You were always fair and treated us with respect, and we haven’t always shown it and have not always agreed. You’ve done a very good job.”

Township solicitor Anthony Waldron reported about Shawn Marie Roe, the township secretary who was arrested last year for embezzling $222,242 during her duties over 10 years. Most of the money has already been recovered through insurance, with some $10,000 remaining. Cocchi was instrumental in catching her, Mancini explained after the meeting. Waldron said, “It’s highly likely we’ll get reimbursement with $3,000 attorney’s fee as well.”

Huge applause erupted after comments about the reimbursement. Another resident posed a question, “Is there a way to go back and sue?”

Waldron explained that in reality, the township would be throwing good money after bad with the cost of the lawsuit, and the possible payment schedule that could come to nothing, or very little per month.

Another issue that raised tempers was the state of some of the township houses that have fallen into disrepair, and others where improvements have been made without proper permits and not conforming to ordinances.

A man who didn’t want to have his name in print talked about the hardship of living close to one of the properties.

“Next door are three buildings with upgrades with no permits. I know it’s illegal, it’s supposed to be 75 feet from the border to put a property structure. He’s got poop, birds in there. You want to stop bird flu here. That’s what he has.”

The township has brochures about combating the spread of bird flu prominently displayed in the entry hall. The man said the property in question is on Church Road.

“It’s just not good, and I spoke to you years ago about it. It’s so frustrating, just wrong. He said he’ll clean it up, every time he says he will—but he doesn’t. If you want to have junk cars, put them in the back. It’s just wrong, I’m sure there’s an ordinance.”

Mancini said, “I think we’ve had some personnel there within the last two weeks, and as time goes on, we’ll probably enforce them to clean up.”

The speaker said he thought it was lip service, and wanted to know how long he and others had to wait.

Waldron said, “If the court issues an order, it has to be cleaned up within a certain date, otherwise they’re in contempt. We’ll have to prove it to the court, but if there’s a court order, usually it happens in one or two months. We’ve done that before. “

Wasamer also commented on the state of properties in town, “If it’s not safe, what does the homeowner do about it? One house has the door falling off. Do we do anything about it?”

Waldron said that if a property is dangerous, falling down, or about to cause problems to children, the town could meet with the owner and require them to restore the building, and if not, to tear it down. “If it’s not going to structurally fall down, just board it up. Give a notice to the people.” He continued that if the setbacks regarding zoning are not up to code, the town can make owners comply.

Mancini promised to talk and to send a letter to the owner informing him that he has to do something about the property in question.

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