East Beth Twp. wants to buy ferryboat for posterity
EAST BETHLEHEM TWP. — Township commissioners expressed their commitment to keep the ferryboat Frederick from ending up on the scrap heap and outlined their strategy to hopefully acquire the ferry and secure it as an historic relic museum.
The township commissioners, at their meeting Wednesday, said they have been in contact with the Fayette County commissioners in an attempt to obtain the ferry that crossed the Monongahela River at Fredericktown since 1948. Fayette County owns the ferryboat.
According to Paul Battaglini, board president, the three Fayette County commissioners appear to be divided on the potential fate of Frederick.
Battaglini said Fayette County Commissioner Angela M. Zimmerlink has said she did not want to sell the ferry for scrap without exploring other options. Battaglini believes commissioners Chairman Al Ambrosini and Vincent Zapotosky are more interested in the monetary scrap value of the ferry than they are in its historic value.
“The ferry weighs approximately 35 tons,” Battaglini said, “At the current rate, that would bring approximately $7,000.”
The township commissioners authorized solicitor Lane Turturice to write a letter to the Fayette County commissioners and their solicitor expressing East Bethlehem’s interest in buying the ferry for $1.
The commissioners also announced they would be attending the next meeting of the Fayette County commissioners to have public dialog on the township’s desire to preserve the ferry for posterity.
“Generations have been served by this ferry,” Battaglini said, “It would be a great disservice to future generations to sell it for scrap. It should be preserved as the historic artifact it is.
“Perhaps we should suggest to Ambrosini, if he is so interested in receiving scrap money for historical artifacts, he could sell Fort Necessity for firewood,” Battaglini continued.
The commissioners said they will continue to meet with local businessman Dennis Slagle, who has been working with the township to secure the Frederick as part of a plan to use it as a museum/visitor center.
In other business, the township commissioners authorized Turturice to draft a rental property inspection ordinance. They requested the ordinance require that building owners who use their properties as rental units be responsible for the rental units having regular garbage collection, providing public water and sewerage, and to require building owners living outside of the township to have an authorized local agent who lives within the township.
In other business commissioners:
n Accepted the resignation of full-time policeman William Dennison.
n Accepted the request from the Harry Enstrom Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America to provide a picnic table for its kayak launch area near the swinging bridge.
n Announced the Country Sun Fall Festival and Classic Car Show will be held from noon from 6 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Community Square in Fredericktown.
n Announced the township’s trick-or-treating will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 26, followed by the parade sponsored by the American Legion at 3:30 p.m.