CLEARFIELD – Public concerns about roads in the township were brought up during yesterday’s Lawrence Township meeting.
The supervisors also addressed some conditional use permits and other items.
Resident Glenn Johnston spoke to the board again about Pifer Road and asked if any of the supervisors had been out to look at the road.
The supervisors said no, but Supervisor Bill Lawhead added he’s looked at it in the past and understands Johnston’s concerns.
Johnston said logging operations in recent years have worn the surface off the road and he estimates it will take about 150 tons of stone to re-establish the road surface.
He asked if anyone has spoken to the most recent logging company about the cost to fix, and the answer was no.
Lawhead asked if the road was bonded and Code Enforcement Officer Debra Finkbeiner said it was. Johnston then asked if there was photo documentation and Roadmaster Ron Woodling said no.
The company has not requested a bond release and Finkbeiner said she would address the road condition with them at that time.
A resident of Flegal Road also asked the supervisors to look into addressing issues on that road. He said over the years with logging and mining and the old dump, the road has suffered and was never repaired correctly and is too narrow where most vehicles need to pull over to pass each other.
Under the solicitor’s report, Solicitor James Naddeo requested an executive session for personnel and litigation matters at the end of the regular meeting.
After the executive session, the board agreed, upon Naddeo’s recommendation, to authorize attorney Chris Pentz to act as representative in the Herschel Brown estate in order for the township to file a condemnation notice on the estate.
After the meeting, Naddeo further explained that the township has a court order to nominate a representative for the estate because the heirs refuse to open an estate, which is located on Turnpike Avenue.
Naddeo also said his firm is in the process of notifying residents about injecting rain water into the sanitary sewer system, generally through French drains and sump pumps.
So far 80 out of about 200 have been confirmed and the law firm is in the process of tracking down correct property owners and issuing notices. Pentz will also act on behalf of the township if there is a conflict of interest.
Two conditional use for timbering hearings were held prior to the regular meeting. Both properties are located on Industrial Park Road, one is owned by Carol Elkins and the other by the James Mitchell Estate.
Both were approved providing the lumber company and neighboring property owners can agree on an arrangement to cross property lines.
Under the roadmaster’s report, the supervisors learned that one pick-up truck has failed inspection with rocker arms rusted out and a computer issue. The supervisors approved getting quotes to replace the truck.
Secretary Barbara Shaffner reported that the Tour de Susquehanna bicycle race will be longer this year and held Sept. 3. Only two township roads will be used, Antis Hill Road and Pine Grove Road, and the rest are state roads.
The supervisors approved a credit card for the police department with a limit of $500. Shaffner explained that the department goes through petty cash quickly with mailing evidence and discussed the matter with the police chief and secretary before bringing it to the board.
A block party is scheduled for the country club area on Joseph Road between Pleasant Lane and Parkview. The supervisors agreed to allow the section of road to be closed for the party scheduled the Saturday of Labor Day weekend.
