May 15, 2008 2 min read

In contrast to the status quo mentality that governs too many municipal decisions, the Perry Township supervisors deserve credit for trying something new: A soybean oil-based road sealant that not only is friendlier to the environment, but costs substantially less than its more prevalent, petroleum-based counterpart. According to Supervisor A.J. Boni, the citrus-smelling soybean sealant called RePlay costs 75 cents per square yard, compared to $1.25 per square yard to tar and chip a road.

That’s a 40-percent cost savings, something Boni and Supervisor Janet Galla are willing to embrace in the name of maximizing financial resources.

“We don’t want to reinvent the wheel, but Perry Township is willing to invest a little money to see if there’s a better wheel,” says Boni. “If there is, that’s great. With the rising cost of oil, we have to look for alternatives.”

Another advantage of using RePlay, which sinks into the asphalt and renews it while simultaneously coating the road surface, is that it eliminates the need for tar-and-chipping, a procedure that many motorists detest because of the vehicle damage caused by loose stones.

We won’t even mention the inherent danger that tar and chip poses for motorcyclists.

RePlay’s reported advantages include the ability to reverse oxidation and moisture penetration, major sources of road deterioration and pothole formation.

Perry Township first used the substance on Barney Road last year and Boni says that road seems to be holding up well.

The only downside, for now, is that PennDOT doesn’t sanction use of RePlay or other soybean-based sealants, which means the township can’t use state liquid fuels reimbursements to pay for its use.

However, PennDOT is monitoring the township’s use of the alternative sealant. If it works as advertised, PennDOT should move swiftly to permit the use of state monies to pay for its application.

Either way, Perry Township is demonstrating a willingness to try something new, in the name of better and more efficient operation of a municipal service.

That type of thinking is a breath of fresh air in Fayette County.