Nov 5, 2002 By Steve Ostrosky 3 min read

CUMBERLAND TWP. – A township resident is still awaiting word on whether the road he lives on is a township road or a private drive, he told supervisors Monday. James Holmes said that Center Street is a township road to a point just before his property and he and another property owner are maintaining the portion of road as part of an agreement with the developer upon purchase.

He said another road was built earlier this year off Center Street that has been constructed to township specifications and inquired if the township would take over the remainder of Center Street and the new road.

“I put the road in, and we have maintained it ever since as a one-lane road,” Holmes said. “With all the added building, who is going to be responsible for Center Street down to where the new road is going in?”

Solicitor Dennis Makel said that even though the road is still considered private, Holmes could not put up gates to restrict access because he could face legal action. Holmes said he bought his property in 1997 and put the road in some time later, but that portion of the road has never met with township specifications.

Makel said he planned on reviewing site plans and deeds for the properties and going out to the site in question before making a further decision on the road.

Meanwhile, resident Jim Vavrek said he is still waiting for information about an ongoing investigation into missing guns from the township police department.

State police are handling the criminal investigation, according to Makel, and he said he has advised the board about possible civil action, though the board has not made a decision on his recommendation.

Vavrek said he has repeatedly asked for information and said he has not learned much since he began his inquiry.

“What are we going to do about these guns?” he said.

Supervisors also conducted the following business:

??Adopted a tentative 2003 budget that keeps the tax rate at 7.9 mills. The budget will be available for public review and comment for the next 30 days at the township office.

??Awarded a $25,695 contract to Capco Contracting for renovations to the Nemacolin fire company social hall. Funds for the project are coming from the Community Development Block Grant program.

??Hired attorney J. William Hook for legal services for the CDBG program for fiscal years 2000 through 2002 at a $100 hourly rate and a cost of $85 per mortgage. The contract is contingent upon negotiations with Hook and the township.

??Voted to change the date of the December meeting to Dec. 9 at 3 p.m.

Supervisors recessed Monday’s meeting to Nov. 12 at 3 p.m. and will reconvene to discuss making an appointment to the township recreation board.