Municipal News
- Last Updated on Friday, 16 August 2013 02:38
Union Township Board Meeting – August 15, 2013
Seismic testing planned by Equitable Gas throughout the region has Union Township residents concerned about the effects on properties and homes. Equitable has contracted Geokinetics to perform the testing work and they in turn have contacted many residents in Union Township notifying them of their intentions to test and asking some property owners for permission to access their property to install sensors used in the study. The test results will map the strata miles beneath the surface to locate gas-bearing Marcellus Shale deposits.
To generate the seismic images, Geokinetics will use specialized truck-mounted Vibroseis units (also called thumper trucks) to direct low-force vibrations into the ground. These seismic waves penetrate deep into the earth, bouncing off geologic layers and return to the surface. Sensors called “Geophones” are placed at the surface to measure the returning seismic waves. Computer software then creates a 3-D map of the strata below from which gas–bearing rock formations can be identified. In areas where the Vibroseis units can’t be driven it is sometimes necessary to detonate small explosive charges in drilled shot-holes to create the seismic waves.
Several concerned residents were in attendance at tonight’s meeting – particularly from homes in areas known to be honeycombed with abandoned shallow coal mines. The fear is that the vibrations caused by the testing will cause structural damage to their homes or even mine subsidence. The board and Solicitor Makel assured residents that Union Township has a strong seismic testing ordinance in place to protect resident’s homes and property. Solicitor Makel noted that Geokinetics would first need to apply to the board with a testing plan showing proposed actuation points and that has not yet happened. He also stated that the board would designate areas where test vibrations could and could not be generated. The board authorized the Township engineer to prepare a township map designating those areas where it would not permit the test actuators.
* * *
Bids for a road salt storage shed to be built on the Nike Missile Site property were opened. There were five bids ranging roughly from $77,000 to $116,000. A motion carried to award the contract to the lowest responsive bidder, Swede Construction of Elizabeth, for $77,743.00. During discussions the Twp. Engineer noted that the site chosen would not later interfere with recreational facilities development on the property.
* * *
The Twp. Engineer reported that the Bethel Park Sewage Authority has rejected a request to have several homes in Union Twp. not now serviced by public sewage to be connected to and serviced by the Bethel Authority. These homes are near Library and are not accessible to any other public sewage line in Union Township. This will force these property owners to use and maintain their own systems.
* * *
Mr. Gerald Cook, attorney for Finleyville Airport, spoke to the fact that all trees on the Parish property that were causing an airport hazard have been cut down and removed. He noted that several other trees on other properties had yet to be removed. The Code Enforcement Officer was authorized to determine the names of the property owners so they can be notified.
* * *
Two property owners spoke at the meeting hoping to gain some relief from property damage losses due to recent heavy rains. Mr. and Mrs. Busha of 6180 Brownsville road suffered extensive property damage as a result of surface water draining from a neighbor’s property. Linda Nagy had a leaking drainage line dumping surface water onto her property. Both cases will be investigated but the initial feeling was that they were not due to any negligence of the township and were not due to run-off from a Twp. road.
* * *
All board members were present at this meeting as were the Secretary, Treasurer, Solicitor, Zoning and Code Enforcement Officers and the Twp. Engineer.
In Regular Business:
• A report from the Police Department was reviewed and accepted.
• A report from the Maintenance Supervisor was distributed and reviewed.
• The Code Enforcement Officer was asked to have debris removed from the corner of Ramage and Locust Streets.
• General fund bills presented as of August 12 were authorized for payment.
• The Twp. Engineer will have the specifications for the Twp. garage addition by the end of August.
• Landscaping quotes were opened. The award was made to Richard Cost Contracting ($7,800) subject to review and approval by the Twp. Engineer.
• An ice machine and two water fountains were approved for purchase for use in the garage and Twp. Office building.
• The Solicitor will contact the Washington Co. District Attorney’s office to request a review of evidence items still stored in the former Police Department evidence room.
• The Twp. Engineer will send a response to questions from EarthTec on the Courtney Hill road rework project.
• Release of the Spencer Subdivision escrow account was approved.
• Release of the Buzcinsky Subdivision escrow account was approved.
• The Solicitor was asked to file liens on two properties on Stout Street in Elrama for the cost of demolition of two abandoned houses ($4,500 each).
Featured Articles
