[Ord. 348, 9/14/2011, § I]
This Part is entitled the "Plainfield Township Noxious Weed Ordinance." The purpose of this Part is to provide for the control of noxious weeds in the Township.
[Ord. 348, 9/14/2011, § II]
The Board of Supervisors of Plainfield Township has the specific authority to adopt this Part under the Second Class Township Code, 53 P.S. § 65101 et seq., and the Pennsylvania Noxious Weed Control Law, 3 P.S. § 255.1 et seq. (the "Act").
[Ord. 348, 9/14/2011, § III]
1. 
The following are designated as noxious weeds in the Township as per 3 P.S. § 255.8 of the Pennsylvania State law:
A. 
Marijuana.
B. 
Canadian thistle.
C. 
Multiflora rose.
D. 
Johnson grass.
E. 
Any noxious weed so described and published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin pursuant to 3 P.S. § 255.3 of the Act.
[Ord. 348, 9/14/2011, § IV]
The Township Zoning/Code Enforcement Officer is hereby appointed by the Board of Supervisors as the Township Enforcement Officer under this Part.
[Ord. 348, 9/14/2011, § V]
1. 
No person owning, holding, or in possession of any real estate shall allow or maintain on any lot or tract of land within the boundaries of the Township of Plainfield any growth of noxious weeds. Such growth of noxious weeds is hereby declared to be a nuisance, injurious to the health, cleanliness, comfort, and safety of the residents of the Township.
2. 
The owner of any premises, as to vacant premises or premises occupied by the owner, and the occupant thereof, in case of premises occupied by other than the owner thereof, shall remove and destroy noxious weeds growing or remaining upon such premises in violation of the provisions of this Part.
[Ord. 348, 9/14/2011, § VI]
1. 
The Plainfield Township Enforcement Officer or any employee of the Township of Plainfield designated thereby for the purpose, is hereby authorized to give notice, by personal service or by United States mail, to the owner or occupant, as the case may be, of any premises whereon noxious weeds are growing or remaining in violation of the provisions of this Part, directing and requiring such occupant to remove, trim or cut such noxious weeds, so as to conform to the requirements of this Part within 20 days after issuance of such notice.
2. 
In case any person, firm or corporation shall neglect, fail or refuse to comply with such notice, within the period of time stated therein, the Township authorities, or any person, firm or corporation hired by said authorities, may remove or cut such noxious weeds, and the cost thereof, together with any additional penalty authorized by law, may be collected by the Township from such person, firm or corporation, in the manner provided by law.
3. 
In the event of subsequent violations in the same calendar year, the Township, or any person, firm or corporation hired by the Township, shall be authorized to cut, destroy, or remove, or to have such weeds cut, destroyed or removed, without further notification to the person and bill such person for the cost in accordance with § 10-105 of this Part.
4. 
In case of neglect or refusal by the person, firm or corporation to pay such bill within 30 days after issuance of the said bill, the bill shall be subject in all respects to the general law provided for the filing and recovery of municipal liens.
[Ord. 348, 9/14/2011, § VII]
A person shall be billed for the cost of remedying any violation of this Part at the rate established by the Township Supervisors. The rate should compensate the Township for both direct costs (e.g., labor and equipment) and indirect costs and expenses (e.g., administrative time, postage, etc.) incurred in cutting and removing noxious weeds from said person's property. In those cases where the Township hires another person, firm or corporation to remove or cut such noxious weeds, the person shall be billed the amount charged the Township by the person, firm or corporation, with an additional 10% added for the Township's administrative time and costs. The rate referenced herein shall be established by the Township Supervisors by resolution.
[Ord. 348, 9/14/2011, § VIII; as amended by A.O.]
Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provision of this Part, upon conviction thereof in an action brought before a magisterial district judge in the manner provided for the enforcement of summary offenses under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $1,000 plus costs and, in default of payment of said fine and costs, to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 90 days. Each day that a violation of this Part continues or each section of this Part which shall be found to have been violated shall constitute a separate offense.