Politics & Government

Plumbers to Commissioners: We Want to be Licensed

A group of plumbers are urging South Whitehall commissioners to not drop the township's licensing requirements.

Saying public safety and their livelihoods were at stake, several plumbers turned out in force Wednesday night to urge South Whitehall commissioners to not drop the township's licensing requirements.

The plumbers came to voice their positions at public hearings on the township's plumbing and building codes. The hearings were part of the commissioners' regular board meeting.

What is the rationale in dropping the licensing requirement? asked Ralph Uff, saying there would be no recourse for someone who had problems with a handyman's work. Uff has served on the township's Plumbers Licensing Board.

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Township officials held the public hearings as they consider changes to South Whitehall's plumbing and building codes, which they say are more stringent than state requirements in some instances. Officials are examining whether to keep the more stringent requirements, or loosen some of them, as they weigh the potential impacts on public safety and doing business in the township.

"I want to make sure we use common sense," said Board Chair Tori Morgan, who acknowledged the township's reputation as being restrictive, after the meeting.

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Commissioners tabled action on the plumbing and building codes until they can further examine the codes at a workshop in April.

Meanwhile, the plumbers who attended the commissioners' meeting urged officials to continue requiring a license for plumbers who want to work in the township. 

Master plumber Joseph Rutz, who is on the township's Plumbers Licensing Board, told commissioners it would be "a mistake" to drop the licensing requirement because of public health and safety concerns. He said, for example, it's important that water and sanitary lines are not crossed.

The plumbers also said their livelihoods were at stake, since they need the South Whitehall plumbing license -- which they can renew each year for $60 without testing -- to be authorized to work in many municipalities in the Lehigh Valley. If they had to retest in another municipality, they would run the risk of not passing despite years of experience and success.

"It's going to open up a whole can of worms," said plumber Dennis Wehr, of Coplay, if the licensing is dropped.


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