Feb 14, 2003 By Joyce Koballa 3 min read

CONNELLSVILLE TWP. – Despite having an ample supply of salt, the township’s street department is failing to maintain the roads during snowy conditions, according to a number of residents. Donald Hann, supervisor/roadmaster, said he has received several telephone calls regarding the situation and plans to address the matter with the street department employees again this morning.

“We’ve had a lot of complaints,” said Hann.

Fred Robbins, who resides on Buttermore Boulevard, described the roads as “deplorable” and said they haven’t been this bad for as long as he can recall living in the township. Robbins alleged that several intersections have not been maintained, and the parking lot for the township fire hall has been a sheet of ice, causing even more hazardous conditions for emergency personnel.

Robbins added that he has been abiding by the township ordinance by keeping his sidewalk free of snow and ice and that the street department should care for the roads in the same manner, since it is their job. Hann said the township has three street department employees and three trucks; however, one of the vehicles was being repaired in the last several weeks.

In a separate matter, the supervisors agreed to transfer the township’s sewer lines to the Bullskin Township/Connellsville Township Joint Sewerage Authority as part of an agreement drafted by authority solicitor Michael Macko.

Under the agreement, the authority acquires all rights and obligations the township had with the Connellsville Municipal Authority, including billing and other transactions associated with the transfer.

Gretchen Mundorff, solicitor, said although the sewer lines are being transferred to the authority, the funding from the township’s sewerage fund will remain in the township and be used to defray the cost of cleanup from prior sewerage projects.

The supervisors also conducted the following business:

– Learned from Widmer Engineering that the township will have until March 10 to adopt a state mandate for storm sewers.

– Heard from Tom Fosbrink, planning commission chairman, about problems with board members who are not attending meetings in order to accept or deny land development plans received by the commission. Supervisor Tammy Mader suggested that members who continue to refrain from the meetings resign from their respective positions.

– Directed Mundorff to conduct a title search of Zachariah Connell’s grave, which Mader said was presented to the city as a gift earlier this week. Mader said the property is located along Francis Avenue in the township, and she questioned the validity of the transaction.

– Made residents aware that tax notices won’t be mailed for several more weeks due to an error by the county.

– Received a copy of a deed outlining covenants from a Narrows Road resident angered by all-terrain vehicles that are still riding in the township on residential property. Mundorff said the matter needs to be addressed by the state police, or the resident has the option to file a civil lawsuit.