Officials vote to ban burning

HILLSVILLE, Pa. -- Open burning is banned here until the end of September.
Mahoning Township supervisors unanimously approved the ban Tuesday at the suggestion of Chairman Poncho Exposito for fire prevention and health reasons.
Exposito, who is roadmaster and a member of the volunteer fire department, said the township has been getting a lot of calls from people with breathing problems who cannot keep their windows open or their air conditioners running because of neighbors' trash fires.
He said emergency medical service calls about breathing problems are also up because of the hot weather and air quality.
He added that the drought is going to make it a bad grass fire season. He and other supervisors agreed that no burning permits will be issued.
Those violating the ban can be fined up to $300.
Instead of burning their trash, senior citizens can dump it in the township trash bins at the community center and in the park across from the pool.
Recycling bins for all residents are located near the township offices on U.S. Route 224.