The township officials held an executive session for legal matters with Mr. Lantz, Ms. Blaney and Mr. Seachrist prior to the meeting.
After the meeting was brought to order with the Pledge of Allegiance, Mr. Lantz was called on to explain the Township's position on the status of Old Possessions Road. Mr. Lantz said that on November 10, 2012, DCNR transferred ownership of the road to the township; however, his research indicated that, in order for the transfer to take place, the Commonwealth had to meet certain conditions relating to the condition of the road. Mr. Lantz said these conditions were not met. "They needed to bring the road up to standards before it was transferred," he told the audience. He added that if the township vacates the road, it will revert to DCNR or to private landowners.
Mr. Lantz noted that the Township had developed a study which shows that it would cost over a million dollars to bring the road completely up to standards . He advised the township to seek grants, such as under the Dirt & Gravel Road program, in order to cover as much of the cost as possible.
The large expense related to upgrading the road inspired some sentiment in the audience to allow the road to revert to the Commonwealth, but the residents along the road wish it to remain in the township. "We don't need it to be turned into River Road," one man said, "Just fix what is there!" He said that the township did put material on the road once, "and it was beautiful," but, he added, it soon was gone, due to weather and other factors.
When asked why the township originally wanted possession of the road, Mr. Lantz reported that DCNR said the supervisors wanted it so four-wheelers could ride the road. Mr. Tompkins said he did not remember it that way.
Mr. Sheaffer said until the status was determined, he did not think taxpayer money should be expended on the road. The residents suggested that until the status is determined, the township should patch the holes and grade the road. A woman who lives on Old Possessions with her family and school-age children said, "The supervisors may believe it is not a township road now, but from late 2012 until now they thought it was, and they still didn't take care of it."
Another man said, "You are not being fair to the community. You take care of the roads on this side [of the township] but very little on the other side." Mr. Sheaffer answered, "We have to start somewhere. We started on this side. We will do the other side next year." The man said that he was unable to have mail delivered for three weeks. "Several roads were isolated. Everybody up there has pulled everybody else out [of ditches and holes]. The township has done nothing except graded it once and mowed the banks. It keeps washing out. We keep asking why nothing is being done to patch the holes. We are not asking for miracles, just for safety. Why did you let it get this bad?"
Last month, before the status of the road was called into question, Mr. Tompkins and Mr. Sheaffer met with the District Forester and the Conservation District about Old Possessions Road. "DCNR, said if it is our road or theirs, it needs to be fixed. DCNR will be able to help, with manpower, use of their equipment, and advice. The Conservation District said we should apply for the Dirt & Gravel Roads program. The road will qualify."
The township said it would fix the holes, and also authorized Mr. Lantz to explore the status of the road.
The minutes of the September meeting were approved and the treasurer's report approved with these balances: General Fund Checking, $55,488.65; Act 13, Checking, $7,787.37; General Money Market, $25,433.50; State Checking, $121,603.59; Act 13 Money Market, $937,742.89; Capital Fund CD, $121,855.07.
Receipts included: PA Game Commission, $37.92; Liquor Control Board, $50; Real Estate Taxes, $957.59, less 14 bills at $2.25 each, $31.50; net of $926.09; PURTA, $101.30; Real Estate Transfer Tax, $1,541.05; Earned Income Tax, $720.44; Delinquent Taxes, $25.34.
$1,966.76 was received from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the Volunteer Fire Relief Association. This will be divided between the Blossburg and Canton Fire Companies.
Bills paid included $27,000 to Jennings Construction as the final installment for the cinder shed. Other bills were: LeRoy Quarry, $23,108.37; B & S Haulers, $10,698.78; Vestal Asphalt, $35,590; S. Andrulonis Enterprises, $6,083.31.
Violet Learn was paid $80 for mowing.
The Rundell Creek bridge inspection was completed by Larson Design Group. The bridge rated a 9 for superstructure and 7 each for approaches and substructure. No immediate improvements are required at this time.
Tom Close and Pam Morse of M C Insurance Associates will come to the November or December meeting to discuss the township's insurance package.
Assessment permits were issued for a garage and a privy.
150 tons of state approved black cinders have been ordered.
Mr. Seachrist reported that the road crew cut brush along Lower Mountain Road, worked on sluices at Welch Mountain; applied gravel on Lower Mountain Road (2,697 tons); Gleason and Brown Roads (1,519.9 tons); piled 994 tons of cinders and 1B stone; graded Lower Mountain, Gleason, Welch Mountain Roads, Acid Factory Hill, and River Road toward the Legion.
The Supervisors voted to hold a budget workshop on October 13.
Pot holes were repaired on Church Road (cold patch) and at the bridge on Fellows Creek. Road mileage was checked to determine the quantity of gravel needed next year. The crew worked on equipment maintenance and installed new squeegees on the plows.
A sluice was fixed on Brown Road through slipping and grouting.
The Act 13 advisory committee met earlier in the day with Harry and Nancy Fisher, Ron Gleckner, Claire Honeywell, Gene Segur, Maxine Shedden. Mr. Fisher reported that the committee thinks Church Road is in very good condition and work on Lower Mountain Road "is very much appreciated." He said, {The committee] discussed a lot but we have so much to chew on [about Old Posessions] without bringing more up tonight." The committee noted that Mr. Tompkins is not seeking reelection. He stated tonight that he would not serve if elected. A volunteer is being sought for the position, although Mr. Tompkins will serve out his term until it expires at the end of the year.
Mr. Sheaffer said that fall grading has begun. River Road will be done first and then Old Possessions Road. Work also will be done on Furman Road.