German hears request concerning power outages
GERMAN TWP. — German Township supervisors expect to share their findings next month on the practice of the McClellandtown Volunteer Fire Department using its fire trucks as generators to power traffic lights on Route 21 when there are outages.
Chief Fred Grimm approached the supervisors at Tuesday’s meeting about issues that arise when there are power outages in the township. Grimm said in the past the fire department used its fire trucks as generators to operate the three traffic lights on Route 21 during outages. Recently, Grimm said he was told by one of the members of the fire department that only the governing municipality and its appointed contractors could do that.
Grimm asked the supervisors to submit to the fire department a written request to continue with the practice of operating the traffic lights during outages. Grimm also asked the supervisors to purchase generators to supply power to the traffic lights during outages instead of using the fire department’s three trucks to perform the task.
The supervisors agreed to meet with Miller Company Electrical Contractors Inc. of Uniontown to discuss possible generator options and to seek the counsel of township solicitor Douglas Sepic.
Grimm also requested the supervisors purchase 100 traffic cones to assist with the fire department’s emergency vehicle operators course (EVOC). Supervisor Floyd “Buster” Gladman said he would look into getting the cones from state Department of Transportation.
In other matters, the supervisors passed an updated trash ordinance for the township.
“If you are paying your garbage bill, then there are no changes,” said Supervisor Daniel Shimshock.
This new ordinance would enable enforcement of the collection of garbage payments. Anyone who is 90 days delinquent with their garbage bill can be taken to court by Veolia Environmental Services of McClellandtown.
The supervisors said other townships in Fayette County have amended their garbage ordinances to reflect the same changes and that has decreased the number of township residents not paying their garbage bill to 1 percent.
In other business, the supervisors said the sewer project affecting Ronco, Edenborn, Leckrone, Puritan, McClellandtown and part of Route 21 will be finished by the end of next year. Construction soon will be under way, with equipment arriving as early as next month.
The next township meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Oct. 11.