Following action taken by the Mahanoy Township supervisors, nuisance laws, particularly in regard to dilapidated buildings, are becoming stricter.

"We are amending our present ordinances to make them stricter. It is not fair to neighbors to have to live next door to these places," said Chairwoman Sharon Chiao following the meeting. She did not name specifics of the amendments.

In addition to amending these ordinances, earlier in the meeting the board approved legal actions necessary to condemn dilapidated properties at 9 and 12 Coles St. as well as 0 and 17 Back St.

"I am so sick of these houses. We have to do something about them," said Chiao.

The supervisors agreed to approve the plans for Phase 2 of the Locust Ridge Wind Farm as soon as an agreement regarding the 12 proposed windmills is signed. Chiao said during the first phase, it took an extended amount of time and legal wrangling to come to an equitable agreement regarding the windmills. Chiao said after the meeting that during Phase 1, the township agreed to a stipend of $18,000 a year for the 12 windmills. This time they are seeking $23,000 a year for the 12 new windmills as costs continue to rise.

Residents were reminded that permits are needed before certain work is undertaken on properties in the township. The supervisors intend to add a resolution that will double the cost of the permit fee if it is found that work has already been started without the necessary permits.

Supervisor James Richmond said if people were in doubt regarding if a permit is needed or not, they should call the office for clarification.

The addition of swimming pools more than 2 feet tall requiring electric pumps were specifically mentioned as projects that are required by state law to have inspections and must be permitted.