North Union to take over technology park roads
North Union Township supervisors voted Tuesday to take over the soon-to-be-completed roads in the Fayette County Technology Park adjacent to Penn State University. The 90-acre technology park is expected to have storm water systems and roads completed in the next three months so tenants can begin moving in.
Supervisors noted that the park will be home to the new state police barracks and to Advanced Acoustics.
Supervisors signed the agreement with Fay-Penn Development to take the four roads named Eberly Way, Campus Drive, Vision Way and Tech Wood Drive once they have been completed to township specifications. Once that is done, the supervisors said residents should keep an eye out for a lot of new companies to begin locating in the facility.
Supervisors also noted that there are $22 million in planned upgrades coming to Penn State University Fayette Campus. Some of the plans already made public include a new stadium and basketball courts.
In other business, supervisors agreed to help the North Union and West Leisenring volunteer fire departments by purchasing two thermal cameras for victim recovery in structure fires.
The cameras which cost an estimated $16,000 each will help fire companies when faced with entering a burning structure to find trapped people.
“We won’t let you down but we may have to open the budget and see where we can pull the money from. If it saves one life, that is money well spent,” said supervisor John Mateosky. Supervisor Rob Tupta agreed, noting that the cameras were strong enough to pick up a heat reading from a hand sliding down a wall.
Supervisors said township dedicates $50,000 annually to the four fire departments that operate in the township, North Union, West Leisenring, Hopwood and Dunbar. In order to spend more, the accounts have to be looked over and decisions have to be made where to move the funds.
Also concerning public safety, Lt. Harvey Cole, State Police Troop B station commander, addressed the board and residents about state police coverage of the township.
He said extra patrols on duty to reduce aggressive driving accidents on problem highways like Route 21 and Route 40 aren’t taking troopers away from other crimes. He said the patrols are being done by officers who volunteer to work extra hours to make a difference to the community.
“I don’t want you to think we only target major highways. We understand that kids play in the neighborhoods. And we don’t feel that is trivial,” Cole said, explaining the new procedure of watching the different neighborhoods as well as the highways.
Under the new state plan to add another 100 troopers to the ranks, Cole said he applied for 10 new troopers and is hopeful the request will be approved.
“This is one of the busiest barracks in the state and we could use the 10 officers to put us over 100 people,” he said.
In other business, supervisors:
– Awarded the four-wheel-drive truck bid to Fida Freightliner. The new truck will be outfitted with a new snowplow but will be outfitted with a salt spreader already owned by the township.
– Agreed to solicit bids for a new salt building. The old building is slated for demolition.
– Voted to advertise for assorted road maintenance materials as for paving and road sealing for the upcoming season.
– Announced spring burning will begin Saturday and run to May 1. Residents are asked to use common sense when burning and use a barrel and watch the fire.
– Announced that there will be a spring cleanup in the Lemon Furnace community on April 20 with a rain date of April 27. The group plans to pick litter in the areas from Third Street to Morgan Station Road beginning at 9:30 a.m. and continuing until completed. Food will be provided for all volunteers and an adult must accompany all children under 12. All materials for the collection will be provided.
– Directed solicitor Dan Reilley to obtain a court order to assign a guardian to a property owner in order to get the agreement to demolish a condemned building in Lemont Furnace.