A consensus has been reached for a proposed fire inspection ordinance in Salisbury Township.

The ordinance is expected to be placed on the agenda of an upcoming township meeting for a vote by commissioners.

It is not expected to be on the agenda of the 7 p.m. Sept. 26 meeting, according to Township Manager Randy Soriano.

Discussion of the ordinance took place during the workshop following the Sept. 12 township meeting.

The ordinance has been discussed at several township meetings attended by representatives of the township's volunteer fire departments. Some fire company officials attended the recent workshop.

A draft of the ordinance was distributed to commissioners and firemen at the workshop.

If the ordinance is adopted, it would be advertised within 60 days of the date of when it is to go into effect.

Also, if adopted, the inspection program and fire inspectors' job description would be determined.

Each inspector would work no more than 25 hours per week. Salary and hours are to be set. As many as three inspectors might work in one week.

Township firemen who are certified as fire inspectors are expected to be eligible.

The ordinance is expected to be in effect for 2014. Funding would be allocated in the 2014 township budget "to make this a reality," Soriano said at the workshop.

The fire inspection program would be set up under the aegis of the township police department.

"It will meet some of the needs in the township for fire safety," Soriano said.

"I think this is a huge step," Salisbury Township Police Officer and Township Fire Marshall Sergeant Don Sabo Jr. said.

"We're fully on board," Western Salisbury Fire Department Chief Joshua Wells said.

"The safety issue is key," Salisbury Township Police Chief Allen W. Stiles said, citing three goals: safety of firefighters, police and public.

"I can't think of anyone who would be against it [fire inspection ordinance]," township Commissioner Debra Brinton said. "The things that we're asking for are reasonable."

In other business at the Sept. 12 meeting:

Commissioners voted 4-0, with one member absent, to approve a request for an extension through Oct. 31 by Posh Properties for Legacy Place Land Development, which would construct a personal-care home, referred to as an assisted living-memory care facility, 2051 Bevin Drive, on 2.45 acres of vacant land at Bevin Drive and Regent Court off Lehigh Street, in western Salisbury.

The township planning commission May 14 made a recommendation to commissioners to approve the Legacy Place preliminary land development. However, there have been changes to the plan, which requires an additional review by the planners.

Commissioners Debra Brinton and Joanne Ackerman questioned a $725 bill for cleaning drain spouts and guttters at the Administration Building.

"It has not been done for two to three years," township Assistant Manager and Director of Finance Cathy Bonaskiewich said.

"My thought was to get an initial good cleaning," Soriano said.

"We've done that [clean gutters] in the past. We can rent the equipment. We can do that in-house," Director of Public Works John Andreas said.

Equipment rental would cost approximately $300, Andreas said.

The building's gutters henceforth will be cleaned twice annually, Bonaskiewich said.

Soriano said the Lehigh County Election Board was to meet concerning placement of the Allentown Public Library tax referendum on the Nov. 5 election ballot.

Commissioners were told the schedule for township leaf collection, to begin Oct. 25, will be on the township website and posted at the administration building.

Soriano said information about required township permits may be included with township bill mailings.

Stiles said a meeting was held about Susquehanna Street traffic concerns. Seven residents attended.

The meeting was prompted by the death this summer of three persons in a two-car accident along Susquehanna Street.

"The cause of this crash appears to be their speed," Stiles said.

At the Sept. 12 workshop, Soriano said the township payment to the Pension Plans Minimum Municipal Obligation will increase by $37,000, from $520,494 to $559,830 in 2014. "I don't think we'll get any appreciable increase in state aid," Soriano said.

Department heads are to submit their budgets. The 2014 budget is expected to be discussed at October township meetings.

A memorial to Zeus, the township K-9 dog that died, is expected to be placed in Franko Farm Park.

A motion to hold Trick-or-Treat 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 25 in the township is expected to be on an upcoming township agenda.

Commissioners were to meet in executive session 8:25 p.m. Sept. 12, following the workshop. Commissioners were not expected to reconvene for a vote.