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After successfully completing the Planning District process with Westmoreland County, Central Westmoreland municipalities are pressing ahead to explore alternatives for multi-municipal cooperation.
The committee will simultaneously investigate and deploy intergovernmental activities via agreement and do the necessary research and planning to establish a Council of Governments. The committee expects to complete its work establishing a Council of Governments by September 1, 2024. The first project to be accomplished via agreement is to establish a multi-municipal Uniform Construction Code Board of Appeals. Currently 7 municipalities have expressed interest and have been provided a model agreement. A Uniform Construction Code Board of Appeals is required by Pennsylvania law for municipalities that have adopted the Uniform Construction Code. Municipalities are permitted to partner to fulfill their responsibility to provide Board of Appeals. This provides assistance to municipalities in empaneling a qualified board to provide consistent, efficient and expert hearings and reviews. Each participating municipality will convene the Board of Appeals when a case presents itself. All fees will be collected and distributed by the participating municipality. Once a COG is formed, those administrative duties may be turned over to the COG if the members would prefer that. Additionally, after the Board of Appeals is established, more municipalities may participate in the Board of Appeals program by adopting the required agreement. |
