Lola Lauri

Think Your Dues are High?  Township Fines Could Be Even Higher

     Warning!  One simple action could save you from having to pay thousands of dollars in fines.  Tobyhanna and Tunkhannock townships stand to make hundreds of thousands of dollars from Emerald Lakes’ homeowners in the weeks and even years to come.

     While walking through the community this weekend, I counted more than 50 homes that either did not have their new address signs installed, or had them displayed improperly.  I saw signs that were too low, some that had numbers only on one side, and some that were tucked too far into the bushes to see from the road.

     Time is up! The Monroe County readdressing project is completed, and your township will be assessing fines of up to $1,000 per day for homeowners who are not in compliance. For those who don’t pay, there could be jail time of up to 30 days per violation. 

     This project was designed to create a “uniform system of roadway name signs for all streets or roads, both public and private…to preserve the general health, safety, and welfare of the residents” (www.tobyhannatownship.org).  The new system should significantly improve the ability of emergency services to find residents in need of services.

     Your new address signs must be at least 4 feet from the bottom of the numbers to the ground, and contain 4-inch white, reflective numbers placed on a green reflective background.  Your post must be set so that your address is visible for at least 50 feet in each direction. All signs must be attached to a standalone pole.  Do NOT attach signs to trees or utility poles.  People have been cut or otherwise injured when climbing poles with signs attached to them.

     We had our “deluxe” signs installed for about $125 each, but a DIY version can cost significantly less.  Check out the resources document on the Emerald Lakes Residents’ Facebook page to find recommendations from association members for local people who are willing to do the work for you.  If you choose to build your own, see the following links for information specific to your township:

http://www.tobyhannatownship.org/readdressing_proj.html

http://www.tunkhannocktownship.org/

http://www.longpondpa.com/Ord%202011-124%20Final%20Copy.pdf

     We know that our towns are always in need of extra money.  Enforcing this code is a simple way for them to raise lots of it.  Putting up your street signs not only helps to keep your family safe in times of emergency, but also keeps your wallet safe from throwing extra cash to the township coffers.