PennDOT Wrapping Up Twin Lakes Road Paving
SHOHOLA — PennDOT is completing repaving Twin Lakes Road in Shohola Township this month, according to PennDOT officials in District 4.
PennDOT needed two years to complete the project since drainage and culvert rehabilitation had to be done first.
The next PennDOT project in Shohola is fixing a road slide on Route 434, near the Lackawaxen Road intersection. That project will start soon after the Twin Lakes Road project is done.
Shohola Township supervisors awarded tar-and-chip paving on Glen Drive to Wayco for slightly more than $40,987.62
Roadmaster Robert Myers reported at the most recent township meeting that he applied for a Pennsylvania Dirt and Gravel Road grant for the dirt portion of Parkers Glen Road.
Meanwhile, Myers and his road crew are filling potholes on township roads and clearing brush and debris from drainage areas.
Myers' list of road paving projects for next year, pending the township securing funding, includes portions of German Hill Road, Little Walker Road, Maple Drive, Chauncey Thomas Road (downtown Shohola), Shohola Falls Road, and the upper section of Parkers Glen Road.
In his Shohola Police Report, Asst. Chief Don Roa invited the public to attend the next Reality Tour (drug-prevention drama presentation) at the Milford Bible Church on Route 2001 in Dingman Township at 5:30 p.m. May 31.
Borough Municipal Authority To Regulate Hydrant Cleanup
MATAMORAS — The Borough Council and the Matamoras Borough Municipal Authority resolved a six-year discussion about who is responsible to clear fire hydrants after snowstorms.
At the most recent council meeting, the council approved amending the borough's Sidewalk Ordinance to give the Authority responsibility to develop a hydrant clean-up policy.
Authority Board Chairman Norman Dexter said that the authority would take full responsibility for a policy that would hold residents responsible for clearing hydrants near their home.
The authority would also be responsible for issuing waivers to those unable to clear a hydrant.
Dexter said in an interview last week that the waiver form would be similar to ones used by solid-waste haulers, such as Waste Management.
Such waivers excuse persons unable to come to curbside to drop off garbage. Haulers typically accept a doctor's note. Then, company workers go to the house to pick up and drop off the garbage containers.
Dexter said, "The authority will discuss the issue at its next regular meeting. We meet at 7 p.m. on the first Wednesday of the month at the authority building at 304 Pennsylvania Ave. The public is invited."
In other borough events, Silver Birch Archery 4H Club members recently cleaned up litter, mulched, and trimmed flower beds at Veterans Memorial Park and Education Center in preparation for the podium dedication that was held on Armed Forces Day, according to club leader Ami Greiner.
Greiner also said that the Silver Birch Archery Ribbon Ceremony and 4H Fun Night is from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 30 at the former Aliton's Pharmacy building, across from Apple Valley Village, in Milford Township. The Silver Birch store is relocating from Matamoras this month.
Authority Pitches Watershed Plan To Milford Township
MILFORD — Representatives of the Milford Water Authority requested that they be allowed to "start a dialogue" with Milford Township in order to protect source water springs in the area.
Authority Vice-Chairman Scott Sheldon and Dingman Township Solicitor John Klemeyer presented to the board a proposal to assist Milford Township in the development of watershed protection plans similar to the plans proposed by the Water Authority and implemented by Dingman Township.
Klemeyer said the suggested proposal is designed to help ensure controls are in place to allow development and still protect the watershed.
The Water Authority's collection ponds and treatment plant are located in Milford Township.
Supervisor Gary Williams said he has no problems with looking into the issue. Chairman Gary Clark said he was in favor of working on the project; however, he does not want to scare away potential businesses from moving into the area.
The Water Authority's watershed plan can be obtained at the Milford Water Authority Office on Old Owego Turnpike.
Lt. Mike Bello presented the Board with a report that the Milford Fire Department responded to 484 calls to date, 59 calls in Milford Township. Bello said that locally and nationally, fire departments are struggling to get the volunteers to respond to the number of calls coming in. Clark said the shortage is most likely due to the number of hours required to be a volunteer jumping from around 25 to well over a hundred.
Asked whether or not the Milford Fire Department is willing to participate in the proposed intergovernmental cooperation effort between Westfall, Shohola, Dingman and Milford Townships, Bello said he was not aware of an official decision on the matter.
The Board approved Williams' request as road master to advertise bidding for 400 tons of treated salt for the 2018-19 winter season.
Williams also notified the Board of problems with the township backhoe and his intentions to purchase a replacement. The 410L John Deere tractor would cost the township $85,529.71 after trade-in and through the State COSTARS program. Ben McCormick of Five Star Equipment Inc. explained to the Board the details of the 36-month or 3,000-hour factory warranty. The Board approved the purchase and will receive the new backhoe sometime in September of 2018.
The Supervisors approved a request by GAIT Therapeutic Riding Center to use the township building on June 23rd for a car wash.
The next Milford Township meeting will be held on June 4th.
