Municipal News
- Last Updated on Monday, 04 March 2013 15:01
By Paul Chasko
The Union Township board learned that a grant application was turned down that would have paid, in part, for a planned expansion of the garage to house emergency vehicles (JHAAA ambulance and an Elrama fire truck).
The Union Township board learned that a grant application was turned down that would have paid, in part, for a planned expansion of the garage to house emergency vehicles (JHAAA ambulance and an Elrama fire truck).
Chairperson Linda Evans-Boren stated that although the grant wasn’t received, the project could move ahead as the funds were budgeted.
Comments from several board members indicated that there would be an obvious benefit to township residents in having an ambulance and crew housed at the township building 24/7. Response time would be significantly cut. Several board members indicated that what little benefit garage space for an Elrama fire truck might add does not justify the cost. It was commented, “The Finleyville Volunteer Fire Department is already centrally located in the township and continues to serve it well.” Road Crew Foreman Albert Banahasky commented, as he had in a previous meeting, that a garage and sleeping quarters for an ambulance and crew should be totally isolated from the remainder of the garage. It was also said that any added space might be put to better use as storage space for road maintenance equipment.
Comments from several board members indicated that there would be an obvious benefit to township residents in having an ambulance and crew housed at the township building 24/7. Response time would be significantly cut. Several board members indicated that what little benefit garage space for an Elrama fire truck might add does not justify the cost. It was commented, “The Finleyville Volunteer Fire Department is already centrally located in the township and continues to serve it well.” Road Crew Foreman Albert Banahasky commented, as he had in a previous meeting, that a garage and sleeping quarters for an ambulance and crew should be totally isolated from the remainder of the garage. It was also said that any added space might be put to better use as storage space for road maintenance equipment.
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Board Chairperson Linda Evans-Boren announced at the meeting that the township insurance carrier gave notification that it wants all bridges and culverts bearing vehicular traffic to be inspected. To that end, the board authorized the township engineer to begin the inspections and prepare a report for review by the board. The road maintenance supervisor and road crew foreman were instructed to accompany the engineer on the inspections.
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All five board members were present at this meeting as were the solicitor, secretary, treasurer, zoning and code enforcement officers and the township engineer.
In regular business:
• Another workshop to resolve questions resulting from the township ordinance codification work was scheduled for Saturday, February 23.
• The signature page of the Intergovernmental Agreement for the Multi Municipality Comprehensive plan needs redone.
• General Fund bills in the amount of $47,214.67 were authorized for payment.
• The board authorized a purchase ($3,700) for new tires for the Sterling dump truck to be purchased under the state’s CoStar program.
• The road crew took another delivery of 837 tons of road salt today. The road crew supervisor reported that over 1,000 tons of road salt was used so far this winter.
• The engineer was authorized to clarify a township right-of-way in Elrama, by survey if necessary.
• Old tractors have been put up for sale.
• Installation of new lights in the garage has begun.
• Parking restrictions for snow removal are being clarified in the ordinance.
• The solicitor promised to act on the McChain Road mud slide.
• The board agreed to a $10,000 easement for a gas byproduct gathering line, but only after a survey was presented to the board. The motion passed to approve a preliminary easement contingent on inspection of survey drawings by the township engineer.
• A date error was noticed in the audit report. The treasurer will have it corrected by the auditors.
• A resolution was passed authorizing the Washington County Sewage Authority to conduct dye tests for on-site sewage.
• It was reported that the stop lights on the Rt. 88/Brownsville Road intersection continue to confuse drivers. The road crew supervisor was asked to contact PennDot.
At the end of the meeting, the solicitor asked for a closed executive session regarding condemnation proceedings related to Finleyville Airport. Attorney Gerald Cook for the Finleyville Airport, present at the meeting, was asked to join the executive session. No details were disclosed or actions taken after the executive session, which lasted 55 minutes. Board member Steve Parish did not take part in the executive session.
In regular business:
• Another workshop to resolve questions resulting from the township ordinance codification work was scheduled for Saturday, February 23.
• The signature page of the Intergovernmental Agreement for the Multi Municipality Comprehensive plan needs redone.
• General Fund bills in the amount of $47,214.67 were authorized for payment.
• The board authorized a purchase ($3,700) for new tires for the Sterling dump truck to be purchased under the state’s CoStar program.
• The road crew took another delivery of 837 tons of road salt today. The road crew supervisor reported that over 1,000 tons of road salt was used so far this winter.
• The engineer was authorized to clarify a township right-of-way in Elrama, by survey if necessary.
• Old tractors have been put up for sale.
• Installation of new lights in the garage has begun.
• Parking restrictions for snow removal are being clarified in the ordinance.
• The solicitor promised to act on the McChain Road mud slide.
• The board agreed to a $10,000 easement for a gas byproduct gathering line, but only after a survey was presented to the board. The motion passed to approve a preliminary easement contingent on inspection of survey drawings by the township engineer.
• A date error was noticed in the audit report. The treasurer will have it corrected by the auditors.
• A resolution was passed authorizing the Washington County Sewage Authority to conduct dye tests for on-site sewage.
• It was reported that the stop lights on the Rt. 88/Brownsville Road intersection continue to confuse drivers. The road crew supervisor was asked to contact PennDot.
At the end of the meeting, the solicitor asked for a closed executive session regarding condemnation proceedings related to Finleyville Airport. Attorney Gerald Cook for the Finleyville Airport, present at the meeting, was asked to join the executive session. No details were disclosed or actions taken after the executive session, which lasted 55 minutes. Board member Steve Parish did not take part in the executive session.
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