A heated argument broke out between Bensalem Township Council President Joseph Knowles and Bensalem resident Joe Connelly over a dirt pile at his property at 568 Bristol Pike earlier this month and allegations of “fraud.”
The dirt pile had been a problem for Conolly, who’s back and forth between the Bensalem and Bristol township’s to get the issue resolved.
At the August 8 Council meeting, during public comment Connelly went up to speak to the council in regards about having the dirt removed Before he spoke, Quinton Nearon, Bensalem’s Senior Municipal Inspection Manager spoke.
Nearon said been trying to help Connelly in finding someone to take a dirt pile that sits on his business, Landscaping Maintenance & Snow Plowing Inc, 568 Bristol Pike.
“So a couple of things are going on right now.” Nearon said. “I do have one location that’s a dump zone, and I was talking to them today. Depending on prices for trucking and the equipment to load the dirt out, we’re going to confirm all that tomorrow with them.”
According to Nearon if everything goes according to plan, they should be able to get the dirt out by next week.
Councilwoman Stacey Champion was all aboard with the idea of just getting the dirt removed as soon as possible.
“At this point I feel we should just do it. Let’s just engage and bill that’s my opinion.” she said.
While all this sounded like good news, Connelly commented that if the dirt pile wasn’t removed in a month, he would start doing it again, something he’s been warned by authorities over and over again not allowed to do.
From there things escalated with Connelly blaming Knowles for being a part of building an illegal additional property line around his business. The matter, according to Connelly is going to be heard by by a Common Pleas Judge.
Knowles asked Connelly if he had anything new to tell the council, other then the dirt pile. Connelly stated that he’d be at the next meeting, and made clear he would move the dirt himself if nothing was done in a month.
“I will be in my machine and I will move it, and I pray to god that they come and lock me up, for begin on my own property that I pay tax on.”
From there Knowles seemed to lose patience and kept asking Connelly to take his concerns up with a judge instead of the council.
A heated exchange ensued between the two, before Connelly walked off.
Connelly will be billed for the dirt removal officials said.
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