Mahler chairs his last session in Marenisco

By PAMELA JANSSON

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Marenisco TOWNSHIP — On Monday evening, Marenisco Township Supervisor Bruce Mahler chaired his last meeting of the township’s Board of Trustees.

The next meeting on Nov. 20 will include the swearing in of the new township supervisor, who then will chair the remainder of that session, as well as continuing meetings.

Although Green Party candidate Rob Dorgan had been uncontested at the time of the Aug. 6 primary, Robert Delich since has registered as a write-in candidate.

According to township clerk Donna Kenney on Tuesday, Delich did not register under any particular party and was not required to do so.

Mahler, who is retiring from his role, told The Globe that Nov. 18 — the third Monday of the month — normally would be the board’s standard meeting time. However, the meeting date was delayed in order to accommodate the swearing in of the new supervisor.

Mahler said by phone on Tuesday that negotiations on the next AFSCME contract for the township’s union employees also will be delayed until after his successor starts. The supervisor typically chairs related planning sessions.

In other news, Mahler said that the township’s Planning Commission has requested that the Board of Trustees consider addressing a zoning ordinance to rule short-term vacation rentals.

Mahler said that the township’s existing zoning rules do not directly cover them.

“We do have an inspection process for rentals,” said the supervisor in relation to standard zoning rules, “but we want to specifically address short-term vacation needs.”

Mahler said short-term rentals have become a “new phenomena” in the past decade, and the trend “is happening already” in the township and so should be addressed.

Toward that end, he added that the board is asking the Planning Commission to research permitting and inspection relating to short-term vacation rentals.

Mahler said trustees also will act on a request from Karen Wilke, a former EMS director, who requested that a bench be dedicated to emergency medical technicians who have worked in that role for the township.

On Oct. 31, a trunk-or-treat event will occur from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Fair Avenue, which is the main street of the unincorporated community of Marenisco.

Mahler said the hours will coincide with standard trick-or-treating.

In addition, Amy and Brian Adrian are sponsoring hay rides for kids, beginning at about 5 p.m.