|
Junkyard issue still simmering in Hamlin |
|
Written by Publisher
|
|
Tuesday, 15 September 2009 |
Photo by Ted Lutz
The Hamlin Township Board of Supervisors agreed Monday to retain the speed limit at 35 miles per hour (mph) on Route 6 in Hazel Hurst. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) said in a report that the speed limit could rise to 45 mph. The township will need to purchase new speed-limit signs that conform to state specifications.
By Ted Lutz
Republican Staff
HAZEL HURST – The long-running controversy over junkyards is still simmering in Hamlin Township.
The issue came up again Monday at the regular monthly meeting of the Hamlin Township Board of Supervisors.
After a long discussion, Supervisors Tom Kreiner and Don Compton agreed to consult with Township Solicitor Erik Ross of Mt. Jewett before issuing a junkyard permit to Joe Ferranto of Mt. Jewett. Supervisor Bill Kilmer did not attend the meeting.
The township previously drafted a written agreement that would give Ferranto permission to operate a junkyard along Route 6 between Hazel Hurst and Marvindale.
Kreiner said “no official action has been taken” by the supervisors to issue the junkyard permit.
During the discussion, Brad Ottum of Marvindale and Bill Belitskus of 117 West Wood Lane, Hamlin Township, raised concerns about junkyards in the township.
“This is the easiest township in the state to get a junkyard,” Ottum claimed.
Ottum, who lives near the Ferranto junkyard, told the supervisors that “I’d like to see it next to your property.”
Belitskus claims the proposed agreement with Ferranto is “pretty vague” and doesn’t specify fence location, fence height and the collection of fluids on the site. He claims the agreement is “unenforceable.”
“Do you know what the junk includes?” Belitskus asked the supervisors.
He criticized the supervisors for “creating another junkyard along Route 6,” which he said is considered a “heritage highway.”
In other business at the two-hour meeting at the township building in Hazel Hurst, the supervisors:
*Approved a bill of $7,875 from Frank Ponikvar of Kasson Gravel of Hamlin Township for a road-grading project in Kushequa.
The bill covers 105 hours of work at $75 per hour. The hourly rate was the lowest quote received for the job.
John Moffett of Kushequa presented several complaints about the road-grading project. He said he observed the project site “at least 20 times” and “never saw the grader running.”
He wonders why the township is paying for “someone standing around.” “Stop letting people milk the township,” Moffett said.
Moffett, who is seeking the position of township supervisor in the Nov. 3 election, claims the contractor broke a water line for Kushequa customers. He said the Kushequa water association fixed the break. He said the contractor “should be liable” for the repair.
Belitskus said the Kushequa road-grading job was “not coordinated” even though the township work crew was at the site. He said that a previous decision to make all three township supervisors jointly responsible as township “roadmaster” is “not working.”
He also said the township needs to follow through with his proposal for a “road-maintenance plan.”
*Discussed the completion of a paving project on Turkey Track, a road that runs between Kushequa and Lafayette Township.
IA Construction completed the work at a cost of $320,849.83. The township previously borrowed $290,000 to help pay for the project. Atlas American of Jackson Center has agreed to contribute $50,000 for the project because its trucks use the road for oil and gas development in the area. This payment has yet to be received, it was noted.
Moffett said the township should bar commercial trucks from township roads unless they obtain permits and pay bonds.
*Agreed to pay Jack Walker of Hazel Hurst for cutting grass at the community park. He will receive $120, plus the cost of gasoline.
On his own, Walker came to the park and cut the grass because the township mowers have been out-of-service.
Kreiner said “we appreciate” Walker’s service, but wants him to obtain “prior approval” before cutting the grass.
“We don’t want him to come in and do it and bill us,” Kreiner said.
Compton called Walker’s service “a good gesture.”
*Went on record against a state proposal to bill townships for services provided by the State Police.
Kreiner said the plan would cost the township $156 per capita or about $134,000. He said the proposal is a form of “double taxation” because residents already pay state taxes for State Police.
*Received notice that the township has until Dec. 15 to file an application for funding under the federal community-development program.
*Agreed to pay $105.29 for materials for a project at the beaver dam on Marvindale Road.
Heather McKean of the McKean County Conservation District said the proposed project hopefully would alleviate road-flooding problems.
*Approved a payment of $6,918.45 to Nichols and Slagle Engineers of Pittsburgh for design work for the proposed Lantz Corners Sewer District.
Kreiner said the township has yet to receive funding for the project.
*Agreed to ask the township engineer to prepare specifications for improvements on the Guffey Road.
*Agreed to seek bids for improvements on the Bloomster Hollow Road. The state estimate for the project is $70,775.
*Agreed to seek bids for anti-skid materials for road maintenance in the winter months.
*Agreed to offer to sell the township’s 1969 road-grader to the highest bidder.
*Agreed to ask a township resident to inspect the township road-roller and outline proposed repairs.
|
|
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 20 October 2009 )
|
