South Union supervisors adopt resolution
The South Union Township supervisors adopted a resolution Monday dedicating the Matthews Drive Extension, ending a yearlong gridlock at the proposed roadway, during a legal battle with site developers. The supervisors said the road dedication is a necessary step to release the proposed road back to the township. The township has been unable to complete work on the proposed extension after a federal court judge blocked upgrades to the right of way until pending litigation between the township, Fayette County and the Fayette County Redevelopment Authority was resolved.
“This whole ordeal was not necessary to begin with,” Supervisor Robert Schiffbauer said. “I view Widewaters with utter contempt because they have cost the township thousands in legal fees.”
In June of last year, Widewaters Uniontown Company, LLC filed suit against the Fayette County Redevelopment Authority, Fayette County and South Union Township asking for $400,000 promised for improvements to Matthew Drive.
Last year, Widewaters removed workers who were clearing the Widewaters-owned land between New Salem Road and the Fayette County Business Park property as a part of the road extension project into the Fayette County Business Park.
The township and authority, in a counter suit filed in Fayette County Court, claimed that Widewaters gave the township an 80-foot right of way/easement for the road.
After much legal wrangling, the authority provided $400,000 in August for the project, Widewaters came up with $200,000 and the state Department of Transportation contributed the rest.
In October, the supervisors adopted a resolution that dropped litigation filed earlier this year against Widewaters.
According to township secretary Thomas Frankhouser, the township spent about $50,000 in litigation fees to rectify the suit, which essentially included the township for no reason other than to impede progress on the project, something that Frankhouser said frustrated all the supervisors.
Schiffbauer agreed: “I want to give caution for anyone who might have future dealings with the development company over how this was handled.”
In other matters, the supervisors conducted their annual reorganization meeting with Supervisor Rock Coville named chairman and Schiffbauer vice-chairman. All three supervisors were appointed as roadmasters for the coming year.
The township will also retain the services of Jim Davis as solicitor and Simon John as solicitor for the zoning and hearing board. Meetings will be held the first Wednesday of each month at 4 p.m. at the township municipal building.