North Whitehall resident George Burizk has presented a petition with 13 signatures from residents of Carl Street, Schnecksville, to supervisors.

The residents are requesting the township provide stone to fill large holes in the surface of the roadway.

Vice Chairman Steve Pany replied, at the board's May 6 meeting, Carl Street is a private street, although the township occasionally oiled and chipped the street.

"You tell me it's a private road. It's not private," Burizk said, enumerating businesses lining the street. "Number 4315 has five garages," he said.

"It's not the township's responsibility," Pany said. "The property owners fronting on the alley are responsible for maintaining it."

Burizk replied if it is a private road, it should be marked as such.

"You say it's an alley," Burizk said. "Why do you call it Carl Street, if it's an alley?"

He asked what residents could do.

Pany said the board might assist residents in forming a homeowners' association, as well as providing oil and chip.

Carl Street resident Marion Snyder also addressed the board.

"I've lived here for 87 years and, in the same house, for 67," she said. "For years, it was a back alley. I never knew it was Carl Street."

She asked about another alley nearby.

"How can Alberta have a no trespassing sign, and we have all these tow trucks and garbage trucks coming through?" she asked. "If the founders of Schnecksville could see this they'd roll over in their graves. There are cars leaking oil and gas, and it's no good because we all have well water. None of them have tags."

"There are three legitimate businesses there," Township Manager Jeff Bartlett explained. "One has had an auto salvage license for dozens of years. Two have been notified their businesses are not permitted."

As the businesses are operated by renters, he said, the township has to go to the property owner for enforcement.

"Let's have a meeting about a homeowners' association," Pany suggested.

Another Carl Street resident, Jennifer German, asked how this could be done.

"You need a majority of the lot owners," Pany said. "If a majority agree, we can have our solicitor prepare the documents."

Resident Kenneth Muth then addressed the board.

"You mean to tell me the township can't [do anything about this]?" Muth asked. "I can't see where you've done anything to improve the township in 43 years."

This was met with applause.

"I've spent thousands of dollars putting stone, asphalt millings [on the road]," Muth continued. "I'm not about to join a homeowners' association. I've put my money into the alley and I'm not going to do it again."

"If you can get the businesses to pay in, they have the money," Pany said.

"If it's private, I want to put up a no trespassing sign," said another resident.

Township Solicitor Lisa Young said this could not be done because the other users have a right of easement.