Redstone given grant to cover storm damage
REDSTONE TWP. – Redstone Township has received a federal grant for more than $30,000 to help cover expenses from February’s snowstorm. Supervisor George Matis filed for the grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to offset the extraordinary expenses of removing the heavy snowfall, downed trees and other storm-related problems.
Matis said the township is receiving a total of $30,708, with $1,138 of that amount going to the Republic Volunteer Fire Department for services provided during the storm, such as clearing downed trees from roads.
“One day there were 10 calls because of traffic not being able to get through because of trees down, and the ambulance got stuck twice,” Matis said. “The township was able to submit on behalf of the fire departments because that was donated services.”
Matis said the Allison Volunteer Fire Department also provided essential services during the blizzard, but failed to provide the township with the reports needed for the grant application. Matis said he contacted the Allison department three times asking for the reports without response, so those expenses were not reimbursed by FEMA.
In other matters during Wednesday’s meeting, the supervisors approved an amended resolution accepting Jeana Lane as a township road. The amendment will allow the township to receive state liquid fuels funds for the road.
The supervisors also adopted an ordinance opposing forced municipal mergers and municipalities relying on county governments for essential services.
The supervisors received telephone quotes for supplies to build a 24- by 42- by 14-foot storage shed that will be built by township employees. Home Depot offered the lowest price at $6,608. Prices also were sought from 84 Lumber and Lowes, which offered prices of $7,598 and $6,962 respectively. The supplies will be purchased from Home Depot.
A mercantile license was approved for Fairbank Jewelry, 108 Seatontown Road, Fairbank. The business will sell jewelry, cosmetics, purses and other items, with operating hours from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon until 6 p.m. on Sundays. George and Michael Sasko of Herbert will operate the business.
Rod White of McDonald Land Services also alerted the supervisors that crews will be doing 3-D geophysical surveying along roads in the township on behalf of Atlas Energy Inc. to locate underground natural gas reserves. The surveying will involve running wires along the roads, connecting the imaging equipment.
Matis said some of the wires could run for several miles and motorists should not be concerned if they see the wires in the coming weeks.