The Harrison Township Committee introduced a series of ordinances at its meeting on Sept. 15, the two most notable being upgrades to the sewer plant’s disinfection system and a waiver of the no-knock registration fee.
One ordinance will appropriate $3.2 million to the sewer project, with a majority of funds previously set aside. The work is expected to go out to bid anywhere between the end of this year and the beginning of 2026, according to Township Administrator Dennis Chambers.
“There is money in place in our capital fund for the wastewater treatment department,” he explained. “If we go out to bid before we secure this money, it’ll just be replacing the money that we’re spending. It’s a project we have to do to stay in permit. We have no option.”
Chambers estimates the upgrades will be good for at least 10 years.
An ordinance on the no-knock registration fee waiver has been in the works since the committee’s Sept. 2 meeting. It came after resident complaints about door-to-door solicitations from a pest control company, among others.
“While this company was originally approved to solicit in Harrison Township,” noted Mayor Adam Wingate, “they failed to follow through with required procedures, including picking up their permits and adhering to the no-knock list.”
As a result, the company’s license has been revoked, he added.
The township is making it easier for residents to register for no-knock with an online form that can be completed on the Harrison Township website. Residents can then pick up the sticker at the municipal building. Forms can also be obtained in person.
“By eliminating the fee and making stickers easier to obtain, we hope more residents will take advantage of this option,” said Wingate. “Registering for the no-knock list gives the township stronger enforcement powers. If a solicitor ignores a posted no-knock sticker and the … township police department is called, that company’s permit will be immediately revoked.”
The committee will also consider adjusting the times and days that solicitors can appear.
Both ordinances introduced on Sept. 15 will be considered for approval after a public hearing at the next committee meeting, Monday, Oct. 6, at 7 p.m.
