May 18, 2007 By Jenny Susa 4 min read

WASHINGTON TWP. – The public and the Washington Township Board of Supervisors on Wednesday continued to discuss the controversial issue of what should be done with the former Community Ambulance Service building, since it was discovered that the township owns the building. The township’s current emergency management service provider, Rostraver West Newton, offered the township a long-term contract in which they would receive a 10-year lease of the building for $1 per year, and in turn, the company would maintain the building and pay for all repairs. They also agreed that unless there was training or other events going on in the building on any given day, the township would maintain the right to use the building at any time.

Several residents said that they believed that the ambulance service should have to pay for the lease, and others said that the building could be used for other purposes that might bring in more money to the township.

Those thoughts were brought up again on Wednesday. Local resident Gloria Wuschak said that she rarely noticed anyone from the emergency management service working in the building, even though the building has already been considered a base for the last four years. She said that she had no problem with the back of the building being used to house the EMS, however she thought the front room should be used for the township.

“Just because this building was built for an ambulance does not mean that it forever has to be used for that purpose,” said Wuschak.

Local resident Myron Sipitko said that he was willing to continue researching what other ambulances would be willing to pay for the use of the building if they should offer them a contract in the township. While Supervisor John Yestconish said that Rostraver West Newton was willing to pay $300 per month, in addition to maintenance of the building, Sipitko said he didn’t think the price was high enough.

He pointed out the appraised value of the property was $3,000 rent per month.

Supervisor Chuck Yusko moved that the board appoint a committee to research all the township options for choosing an EMS and settling on a contract, but his motion did not receive a second from either of the other supervisors.

Local resident Jamie Miller appealed to other supervisors to vote with Yusko on appointing the committee, pointing out that when the board appointed a committee to oversee the finances of the fire department when they were having trouble, the board “did an excellent job.”

“What harm could it do?” said Miller. “You will make the final decision anyway.”

Supervisor Joann Latkanich said that while she refused to appoint a committee because she didn’t think it was necessary, the public was free to research any options if they wanted to.

She and Supervisor John Yetsconish agreed to review any information they were given and try to choose the best option for the township. The board once again agreed to table their decision on the matter.

In other business, the board accepted the resignation of one of the township’s road workers, and they plan to advertise the position after they have met with the union concerning the contract for the job.

They also received communication from a resident of Hamer Road, who said he believed that the speed limit of 40 mph on that road was unsafe, because the road narrowed in a lot of places and cars were not traveling at safe speeds. The supervisors agreed to contact the state Department of Transportation to see whether the speed limit could be lowered.

In another matter, the board heard complaints from residents about the new machines that were used for voting in Tuesday’s primary election.

“I don’t think it would have changed the outcome of the primary election, but we had the lowest turnout we’ve had in years because the new system for voting is atrocious,” said local resident Joe Grata. “We have an aging community and they were intimidated by the machines. It discouraged them from voting.”

Other residents agreed with his statements and they shared stories of elderly people they knew who were unable to vote because of long lines and the fear of using the new system.

Grata asked the board to send a letter to the county commissioners expressing that they would like to use different machines for voting in the township from now on. The supervisors agreed to send such a letter to the commissioners and to the Fayette County Election Bureau.

Residents also pointed out that absentee ballots are another option for the elderly who can’t make it out to vote or don’t want to simply because of the new system.