Residents question township about snow removal, weight restrictions
CONNELLSVILLE TWP.- Supervisor Donald Hann told several residents they were “not being fair” when he and supervisor Tammy Mader were questioned once again about the conditions of various roads. Three separate complaints were voiced Thursday by residents Carolyn Weegen of Isabella Road, Rose Benisch of Sun Street and Joann Robbins of Georgia Avenue.
According to Weegen, the street department failed to plow Isabella Road following last month’s snowstorm, while an extension of the road was plowed by someone she didn’t identify. “It had no ashes or salt,” said Weegen.
On the other hand, Weegen said the street department did apply ash to some private dirt roads, creating additional potholes and mud. In doing so, Weegen alleged that the township could lose it’s liquid fuel funding.
Mader said she and Hann would review a daily roster the street department is required to fill out and make the necessary road repairs if needed.
Snow was also a concern of Robbins, whose husband, Fred Robbins asked permission to plow Georgia Ave. himself. Hann said he couldn’t grant the request for liability purposes while it is also the responsibility of the street department.
Hann added that the street department was unable to plow several roads that are being affected by a sewerage project under the Bullskin Township/Connellsville Township Joint Sewerage Authority.
With five water-main breaks on Sun St. in the last year, Benisch said she was concerned with future mishaps that could be created by a neighbor who owns and drives a semi tractor-trailer on the road.
Solicitor Gretchen Mundorff said that, without an ordinance to that effect, the township is not permitted to take action when there is no weight limit on the road.
The supervisors also conducted the following business:
– Received a letter from the American Legion Post 301 requesting permission to beautify the Zacariah Connell Grave site located along East Francis Avenue. Mundorff said the property is not owned by the township and is currently in the process of being deeded to the city by a private owner.
– Learned from Mundorff that a tentative meeting has been set for March 25 with members of South Connellsville Borough Council’s police committee to review a community-oriented policing services grant. The grant is good until Dec. 31, 2003 and would require an agreement between the township and borough for part-time police protection in the township.