Coal news and updates

Ross commissioners asked to ban coal tar asphalt sealants

The Ross Township Environmental Advisory Council has recommended that the township draft and adopt an ordinance banning coal tar substances to seal asphalt.

EAC Chair Caitlin Hulle told commissioners Tuesday that the dust from parking lots and driveways sealed with coal tar can disperse into the air and affect the health of residents. Asphalt-based sealcoats, on the other hand, are safer, both for human health and the environment.

The American Medical Association recommends that the substance be banned. Some local municipalities have banned its use by residents and businesses.

In addition to approving the ordinance, Ms. Hulle said the EAC also recommended prohibiting its sale in the township and requiring that all contractors certify the ingredients in the sealcoat they plan to use to the township.

“The onus for compliance should be on the contractors, not the homeowners,” she said. “Plans should include a specification that includes certification of ingredients.”

They also recommend that the township inform all sealing and paving companies in the area of the change if an ordinance is approved.

The EAC members were not “comfortable” drafting the ordinance because the council does not have a solicitor, she said.

In other business, resident Frank Colucci again asked commissioners to publicly release a report detailing operation of the police department.

Mr. Colucci won an open records appeal for the report, but the township has appealed that to Allegheny County Common Pleas Court.

Police consultant Ronald Smeal was hired in November 2020 to review police operations. He found several issues, including a lack of communication and a split between first-line supervisors and upper management, commission President Dan DeMarco said last month.

Mr. DeMarco also said last month that commissioners would let Mr. Colucci and representatives of the police union view the report but would not release it to the public.

“Your constituents want to see this report,” Mr. Colucci said. “The township wants to bury it. Everybody else wants to see it.”

Mr. Colucci said residents have threatened to vote against every current commissioner when they are up for re-election and will continue to “fill the room” at every meeting.

“Please, listen to what your constituents want. Release the report,” he said. “We don’t want to spend more money defending this.”

Commissioner Chris Eyster said releasing the report may be on the agenda for the next meeting.