Supervisors plan action on railroad crossings
South Union Township supervisors said Wednesday they will contact officials regarding the deplorable condition of several railroad crossings within the municipality. Supervisors Thomas Frankhouser, Robert Schiffbauer and Rick Vernon discussed the matter after a resident who lives in Hutchinson complained about the Reservoir Road railroad crossing.
Supervisors said the township does not own the railroad tracks but is willing to fix them if given permission to do so.
Frankhouser said the Reservoir Road railroad crossing may be the worst in the township, but noted that railroad crossings located on Township Drive, Redstone Furnace Road and Cinder Road are also in poor condition.
According to supervisors, Fayette County owns the railroad and leases the rail lines to Fay-Penn Economic Development Council.
Frankhouser said the township has made repeated attempted to contact the proper officials to have the railroad crossings fixed but noted that nothing has been done.
“They don’t even answer our letters,” he said.
Supervisors said they contact Fayette County commissioners and other agencies to see what can be done to correct the matter.
“We want our railroad crossings fixed,” Frankhouser said, adding that the township is going to start sending bills for damaged hubcaps and tires to Fay-Penn president and CEO Michael Krajovic.
In other business, supervisors awarded a $92,660 contract for assorted stones to Laurel Aggregates Inc. of Morgantown, W.Va. Laurel Aggregates was the lowest of three bidders.
Supervisors also voted to advertise for bids for various types of Superpave asphalt mixture and to accept bids for road mark painting.
As for other matters, Vernon advised residents that several unlocked vehicles in the township were recently ransacked. He advised people to valuables out of unoccupied vehicles and to keep the vehicles locked.
Supervisors also reappointed Jim Tobal to the township’s planning commission through the end of the year, with plans to reappoint Tobal for a full term in January 2011.
The next township meeting is scheduled for 4 p.m. July 7 in the municipal building.