Published: November 11, 2008 03:13 pm      

Where there’s smoke ... | Portage Twp. latest to govern outdoor furnaces

Portage Township last week moved to rein in what some believe is a real stink in the community.

The supervisors joined a growing number of municipalities forced to establish rules on the installation of outdoor, free-standing furnaces.

The board was wise, although some residents no doubt are asking: What took so long? Complaints have been ongoing for the past three years.

Meanwhile, other municipal leaders in Cambria and Somerset counties can address the matter now or wait until they’re forced to act in response to angry residents.

Although the furnaces have been on the market for a number of years, skyrocketing fuel costs earlier this year prompted a sharp increase in their interest and sales.

Portage’s decision to draw up an ordinance came after repeated complaints from a resident about the smells coming from what he said is burning trash and unsuitable wood in a neighbor’s outdoor furnace.

The man also complain-ed about heavy smoke, saying that his wife seldom was unable to hang her laundry outside on wash day.

Although the furnaces meet government standards, the problem apparently lies in improper installation and in the materials being burned. In other words, it’s more of a common sense issue or lack thereof.

The Portage supervisors said their ordinance would establish rules on installation, including siting and smokestack standards, and the materials permitted to be burned.

Existing furnaces would also come under the new ordinance, they said.

“If (the furnaces are) not put up right, this room is going to be packed with angry residents,” said Supervisor Ken Trimbath.

“We can’t continue to have people (using furnaces) without some guidelines.”

How right he is.

At a time when the state Department of Environmental Protection has been increasingly restrictive on power plant and auto emissions that foul the air, we can’t imagine incorrectly installed or operated private outdoor furnaces being allowed to smoke-up or stink-up a residential neighborhood.