Municipal News

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For those of you unable to attend our regular meetings, here is an update about ongoing projects and news in Union Township!

For a more detailed explanation and additional items, please visit the Township website at uniontwp.org to refer to minutes.

Passing of Supervisor Ralph J. Opferman, Jr
We are saddened and heartbroken of the sudden passing of our friend and Supervisor Ralph Opferman. We only got a "glimpse" of the incredible talent, work ethic and intelligence of this kind soul. May you rest in peace Ralph ...

COVID-19 Response
The Board of Supervisors made an Emergency Declaration based on the COVID-19 Pandemic.
The administrative staff for Union Township is working at the Township Building daily from 8:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. However, the Township offices are currently closed for public access, but will advise when we are open to the public.

Effective April 6, 2020, all Road Department employees were furloughed with the option of taking their accrued sick days, personal days and/or vacation days as a full paycheck, or in the alternative, file for unemployment compensation.

2020 Census
We are pleased to announce the exciting news that Washington County's 2020 Census response rate has surpassed the half-way mark and at 52.4%, and is higher than the response rate for our state (51.9%) and the nation (50.7%)! Your response matters. Health clinics, fire departments, schools, and even roads and highways. The census can shape many different aspects of your community. Census results help determine how billions of dollars in federal funding flow into states and communities each year. The results determine how many seats in Congress each state gets. It is mandated by the U.S. Constitution in Article 1, Section 2: The U.S. has counted its population every 10 years since 1790. In this time of social distancing, we can all be proud that the residents of Washington County are joining together to complete the Census and thus, shape our future.

Mingo Church Road Sewage Update
Plans are underway to discuss next steps following the exciting news that Union Township applied for and was graciously awarded a $500,000 Washington County LSA (Local Share Account) grant for the sewage infrastructure project on Mingo Church Road from the Washington County LSA Board. The Union Township Board is one step closer to realizing our goal of providing additional sewer infrastructure to our residents. Thank you again to our Washington County Leaders!

Union Township Bathroom Upgrade Using CDBG Grant Funding
The BOS has approved a Union Township Building Restroom Remodel Design using CDBG funding from the Washington County Redevelopment Authority! The project will expand and update the existing restrooms to accommodate handicap accessibility. The project will also replace the existing failing sewer line out of the Municipal Building. The failing sewer line was discovered when Supervisor Opferman generously donated his time, service, and equipment to inspect the sewer lateral. Mr. Opferman found the cast iron lateral was extremely deteriorated and corroded, causing constant backups and overflows in the restrooms. In addition to his help with the sewer lateral, Mr. Opferman also guided the Board to the best architectural designs and models to suit all our residents. We could not have succeeded with our bathroom remodel without him.

The Township's engineer, Harshman CE Group, has finalized the bid documents and specifications, and the Redevelopment Authority currently has the project out for bid. Bids were to be post-marked by May 7, and the Redevelopment Authority were opened virtually on May 13. Bid results can be found on the Redevelopment Authority site at www.racw.net. The Township is excited to be moving forward with this long overdue renovation.

EQT $275,000 Contribution to Union Township Road Maintenance
Sweat Law Offices, in conjunction with Union Township personnel, are finalizing discussions with contribution from EQT as part of the conditional use approval for the Caton Well Pad to Union Township to be used for significant road upgrades as part of a conditional use agreements. The Union Township Board is looking forward to using the funds to continually improve the roadways throughout the Township.

Patterson Road
Supervisor Rick Lawson was instrumental in 2018 Road Construction monitoring during Sunoco Pipelines work in Union Township. Upon construction commencing, Sunoco offered to upgrade Patterson Road! Plans are currently being worked out for finalization. Please stay tuned!

Union Township Purchases-Sewer Cleaning Machine and Pickup Truck

With the invaluable assistance of Supervisor Lawson researching and finding a truck and a sewer machine, Union Township bid and won on two pieces of capital equipment to aid and improve our Township.

First, a sewer cleaning machine, purchased for $8,000 plus fees through Municibid, with very low hours and in almost new condition. This equipment is a 2002 Sewer Equipment Vehicle with low hours and a GVWR of 11,000 lbs. It was purchased from Mahoning Township through Municibid. Union Township is planning on using the sewer machine to clean catch basins in our Township.

Secondly, the BOS purchased a low-priced, low mileage GMC Pick-up truck with utility body for $20,990. The truck is a 2015 GMC Sierra 3500 HD Regular Cab 4WD WT Utility Truck. Mileage at purchase was: 63,484. It is a 6.0 V8 Engine; 6-speed automatic. drive. It has been equipped with Union Township decals and strobe lights. This vehicle can be used by many staff members for Union Township daily work. Please watch out for it driving by!

Parks & Recreation
Union Township has just approved a new split rail fence for Pleasant Stream Park. Additionally, the BOS is currently seeking input from Township residents regarding upgrading Veterans Memorial Park (lower left) to an all-purpose field to be used by soccer, baseball, softball, etc. (all age group including, but not limited to, adult leagues).

The Board has been discussing in Township meetings, the need to upgrade our parks and place our parks as a number one priority. The balance of improving neglected infrastructure has been the Boards most recent priority. However, there has been discussion of shifting our priority to the Parks and Recreation improvement in the near future. Please respond to the Facebook questionnaire if you would like to have input on this matter. We would greatly appreciate it.

Scarmazzi Planned Residential Development (Near Rt. 88)
The Highland Village Planned Residential Development continues to move forward through the planning and permitting process. The PRD received conditional final approval at the March 25, 2020 Board of Supervisor's meeting. The Developers also received conditional approval of two subdivisions associated with the PRD project at the same meeting. The Township looks forward to continuing to work with Scarmazzi Homes to bring this development to life in Union Township.

Union Township - Grants Received (2015 - Present)

Local Share Program (LSA) Grant - Jason & Jack Street Bridge $150,000
Obtained for Union Valley Flooding -Phase 1

Local Share Program (LSA) Grant -Act 537 Grant Update $27,500
Mingo Circle Sewage Planning

WCCD Dirt & Low Volume Road Grant - Garvin Rd. Bridge $125,693

Industrial Site Environmental Assessment Fund Grant $37,500

Local Share Program (LSA) Grant - Overlook Sewage Project $250,000

Local Share Program (LSA) Grant -Act 537 Grant Update $50,000

Local Share Program (LSA) Grant -Mingo Sewer $500,000

DCNR - Elrama Park $50,000

TOTAL GRANTS RECEIVED: $1,190,693

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