Perry Township whittles down debt
PERRY TWP. – The township supervisors say they are whittling down the township’s debt while making efforts to upgrade facilities. The supervisors voted Tuesday to pay, as funds become available in the coming month, balances due to A.C. Moyer Paving, the North Fayette County Municipal Authority and Cypher & Cypher Certified Public Accountants. Last month, the board paid off the balance due to the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources from the Whitsett Park grant.
The board explained that a certain amount of money was budgeted for paying off the outstanding bills, and that amount was increased when the supervisors decided to have only one working roadmaster this year. When questioned, the supervisors said they would have the amount of the savings ready for next month’s meeting.
Supervisor Adam Muccioli said the board should have paid off the three accounts before buying a new truck last month. He said it looked bad to creditors that the township couldn’t afford to pay the old bills but could purchase a new truck.
The supervisors also said they have kept up the interest payments on the $250,325 owed to National City Bank.
Also, the township is awaiting word from the Internal Revenue Service on a compromise agreement for the township to repay back taxes. The supervisors said they need to hear from the IRS so that they know how to repay the taxes.
While some residents were glad to hear that bills were being repaid, they weren’t as supportive about spending money to improve the township building. Supervisors had collected bids on renovating the meeting room floor, which is crisscrossed by cracks and expansion joints.
The supervisors awarded the floor repair contract to Permanent Floor Coatings Inc., for $3,063.65 and also voted to seek bids for repairs to the municipal building’s roof. Supervisor A.J. Boni explained that the bids will be opened then turned over to the county grant writers, who will aid in securing a grant for the work.
Residents asked why the supervisors didn’t use the money set aside for the building improvements to pay more bills, and they suggested soliciting volunteers for the repairs.
Boni explained that volunteers likely would not work out, based on past experiences with the parks, but he pointed out that community service workers installed the new ceiling in the meeting room.
The supervisors also conducted the following business:
– Defended the use of outside contractors for road and drainage repairs. Boni said that while in the past the township handled some of the repairs, the outside agencies did the work better and more efficiently.
– Accepted the resignation of Roy Fuller as code enforcement officer and voted to advertise the opening.
– Opted to hold another meeting in Banning to discuss the cost of installing street lights before moving forward with the project. The costs had been estimated at $22 per residence, but after further review, the supervisors cost about $24 per home.
– Agreed to have solicitor Mike Macko review the township burning ordinance for possible amendment. Burning days are limited to Wednesday and Saturday during daylight hours only. While businesses fall under the ordinance, farms do not, and residents asked that all township residents and businesses fall under the same restrictions.
– Authorized D&B Hauling to perform the spring cleanup Saturday, May 4, at a cost of $3,800. Residents are asked to place their items out Friday night before the one-day-only collection. D&B will not collect appliances, tires and hazardous materials.