The minutes of the February meeting were approved and the Treasurer’s report approved with these balances: General checking, $51,332.75; Act 13 Checking, $18,603.26; Money Market, $79,396.48; State Fund, $64,526.83; Act 13 Money Market, $807,489.71; Capitol Fund CD, $120,043,74.
Receipts included: Realty Transfer Tax, $1,504.30; Pine Hill donation, $35.65; Earned Income Tax, $879.81; District Court Fines, $20,25; Road Usage from Talisman, $7,504.00.
The Township received $54,120 in Turnback Fees from PennDOT.
Bills paid included: $1,270 to Mansfield Crane Service to retrieve the International truck from a ditch; $1,760.69 for diesel fuel from Williams Oil; $407.94 to Watson Diesel to repair an air leak and throttle problems on the International; $50 for dues to the Tioga County Association of Township Officials; $1,431.25 to Williams Oil for propane; $70 to repair frozen pipes and heater at the Municipal building. Also $548.23 was transferred to the State Fund in accordance with a PennDOT audit.
The Supervisors were invited to “a night of food and fun” for Western Alliance Emergency Services on April 11. This is instead of Western’s annual banquet.
The Supervisors will attend a conference in Mansfield on “Unpaved and Gravel Roads Common Maintenance Practices.”
Talisman announced it would plow and cinder from the Legion to Fellows Creek Road as well as the portion in Armenia Township.
Larson Design Group submitted plans to upgrade and maintain a well pad off Welch Mountain Road.
A communication from the PA State Association of Township Supervisors indicates that Governor Wolf plans to implement a severance tax but to retain the impact fees at 2014 figures.
A building permit was issued for a house with attached garage on Hollow Lane.
The Northern Tier Summit for Municipal Officials will be held March 25 in Wysox.
Under the Road Foreman’s report, Mr. Seachrist said the roads were plowed six times and cindered eight times. A stinger blade was installed on the grader and the roads were scraped five times, and a straight blade also was installed on the grader and was used to scrape roads. Mr. Sheaffer said there were two more days of scraping to be done on Welch Mountain Road, Mountain Ridge Road and Old Possessions Road.
The Canton Fire Department responded to a chimney fire at the Hoyler residence. Mr. Tompkins attended the Blossburg Fire Company awards dinner.
Five permits were issued by the township in the previous month.
Denise Morris has volunteered to type up the updated Crisis Communication Plan for the township. Mike Przybycien has completed a letter and form for resident information. These, and an updated newsletter will be mailed in the near future.
The proposed second cinder building was discussed. This is to have walls of concrete for the bottom eight feet and then stick-built walls the rest of the way. Mr. Sheaffer said blueprints have to be drawn, and stamped by an engineer, and then bids advertised. Several residents are questioning the need for the second cinder building. Mr. Tompkins asked for a review of the Township’s maintenance needs. The use of black cinders, in addition to 1B stone, is being considered.
A question was asked about cindering on Old Possessions Road. It now is being done all the way but usually was done only to Weidman Road. Resident Ray Powley expressed concerns that the road should continue to be plowed all the way through in order for ambulances and service vehicles to have access. He made the suggestion that a metal blade, rather than a rubber blade, would better remove ice from the roads. Since Old Possessions Road had been a forest road before it was turned back to the township, no turnback fees are received, and no liquid fuels payments will be made for the road until it is brought up to PennDOT specifications. There is some sentiment to return the road to DCNR. The Supervisors stated that if the road was returned to DCNR, the township would continue to plow and cinder the road.
The township’s application for the Dirt & Gravel Roads program was denied.
The new truck has been delivered to Watson Diesel and is being upfitted.
Mrs. Morgan attended the Tioga County Secretaries’ Association meeting. County Planner Jim Weaver addressed the Floodplain situation and a landscape project regarding gas wells.
Five applications were received for the position of township secretary-treasurer. Two interviews were conducted and the Supervisors voted to hire Elnor Blaney, who also is the secretary of Canton Township.
Dust control was discussed. Salt brine was suggested but that has the drawback of making the roads slippery under certain conditions. Mr. Tompkins announced that the township will pay half the cost of dust oil, meaning that residents will pay $33 for 100 feet. Interested property owners are advised to notify the township by April 30 and the dust oil is expected to be applied on or about May 31.
Copies of the Comprehensive Plans were distributed. Mr. Tompkins asked if it should be updated.
Mr. Ayres was thanked for cleaning the building and Mrs. Morgan for providing cookies.
The 2014 audit has been completed and submitted.
Mr. Tompkins said he was researching the cost to see if bidding is required for 1B and 2A stone. He also stated he was not running for election in the May 19 primary.