Perry Twp. supervisors to apply for state grant
PERRY TWP. – After a fast-moving storm caused flooding in portions of the township last month, the supervisors have decided to apply for a state grant for storm-water management. At Tuesday’s meeting, the board asked for any Star Junction residents with photos of the storm’s effects to call or drop them off with the township secretary.
Because of the storm, supervisors had to scramble to install a large amount of pipe and work to minimize damage to roads and property.
One of the most affected areas was along New Town Road and Greenfield Road, said supervisor A.J. Boni.
He added that Side Road, Maplewood Road and Reservoir Road are still awaiting repairs. Supervisors opened bids at the beginning of the meeting for road maintenance materials that will be used to repair those roads.
Boni explained that the photos will be handed over to township engineer Bruce Chambers for use in compiling a grant application for storm sewer construction.
Supervisors commended members of the baseball committee for their hard work in rectifying storm damages to the Star Junction park and ball field.
Regarding road repairs, supervisors voted to purchase a backhoe on a lease agreement through the state Piggyback Program.
The program, formally known as the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Cooperative Purchasing Program, allows municipalities to take advantage of the state’s buying power by allowing access to a list of items and materials that the state has already placed on bid.
In this, municipalities don’t have to bear the cost of ads while taking advantage of the lower prices the state receives because of its buying power.
Supervisor Janet Galla said after a close review of the choices, she made the motion to purchase a new Caterpillar backhoe, with the lease starting date of 2003.
This year the township will have to pay only the $200 filing fee and will begin paying the $12,750 yearly payments next year, continuing through 2008.
Boni said he is looking forward to having the new equipment, because the township will not have to hire contractors to complete a lot of work.
To free up Boni and the regular employees for roadwork, the supervisors voted to hire part-time high school or college students for the summer months to do general work like cutting grass.
In other business, supervisors voted to advertise changes to the township burn ordinance.
The changes include restricting burning to only Wednesdays and Saturdays, while eliminating burning on all federal holidays and requiring those clearing land to obtain a permit before burning large parcels of brush.
Resident Connie DuBreucq said the changes weren’t enough.
“A farm should not have an exemption. Why don’t you put the right ordinance in existence in the first place?” she said.
DuBreucq pointed out that garbage collection is available to every resident and that farmers do not need to burn rubbish seven days a week.
Galla said the changes “are a good start,” and she asked residents to give the ordinance, as well as new code enforcement officer Mark Pasquale, a chance.
She encouraged residents to report illegal burning to authorities.
The supervisors also conducted the following business:
– Appointed Clarence Morris Jr. to a one-year term on the Perry Township Municipal Authority. The authority has yet to meet, but board member Tom Pearson said they hope to begin by the end of the month.
– Asked any residents interested in having a township picnic next year to call Pam Newmeyer at 724-736-0166. Newmeyer is working to form a committee to organize an annual community picnic.
– Announced that the township lost out on funding through the county’s dirt and gravel road program because the paperwork wasn’t submitted on time.
– Approved an animal control contract with Noah’s Ark for the rest of 2002.
– Tabled a request from Supervisor Adam Muccioli for reimbursement of accumulated sick days and vacation days.