CLEARFIELD – Supervisor Bill Lawhead presented the supervisors and solicitor with documents relating to the proposed consolidation of Lawrence Township and Clearfield Borough during last night’s township meeting.
The documents include draft copies of the charter and the joint agreement. The borough and township formed a committee to consider a consolidation.
Both the township and borough are facing financial crisis in the near future if they do not take action soon, and one solution is to consolidate into a new municipality under home rule.
The township and borough will be voting on the consolidation in January and then the matter will go to the residents on the May ballot.
In other business, residents of Lawrence Township should be aware of a new recycling schedule and this autumn’s leaf pick-up schedule.
The recycling schedule is as follows: Area 1 will be picked up the first Thursday of each month. This area includes Golden Rod, Kerr Addition, Plymptonville, Mill Road, Turnpike Avenue, Hillsdale and Haney Development.
Area 2 will be picked up the third Thursday of each month. This area includes Susquehanna Terrace, Fletcherville, Montgomery Run Road, Hyde City, Country Club Hills, Long Meadow and Elizabeth Street.
Recyclable items include bi-metal (tin), aluminum, colored glass and clear glass. Residents are asked to separate all items and colored glass must be separated from clear glass. Bags may be used to separate the items.
Items that will not be picked up include cardboard, paper and plastic. Additionally, there are drop-off locations at the Glen Richey and Hyde fire halls.
The leaf collection schedule will tentatively run Oct. 17 through Nov. 18. Leaves must be in biodegradable bags.
Zone 1, including Golden Rod, Weaverhurst, Hillsdale and Haney Development will be collected Tuesdays; Zone 2, including Hyde, Country Club, Long Meadow, Elizabeth Street and Cambria Drive will be picked up Wednesdays; Zone 3, including Plymptonville, Susquehanna Terrace and Kerr Addition will be picked up Thursdays.
Fridays will be open for areas missed or when residents call for a pick up. Residents can also drop items off at the Clearfield Borough site on 21st Street. Brush can be dropped off at the compost site on Mann Road.
During public comment, the supervisors heard from Dave Fox, who recently purchased 91 acres and he would like to timber some of the property on his own. He asked if the $650 fee could be waived.
The supervisors explained that they cannot do anything about the fee for a permit and conditional use, which are based on state requirements.
He then asked if he could present it as part of a land development plan, as he intends to eventually locate his business there.
Lawhead stated he could, but the cost to the township’s engineer would be much higher and there would be a time limit. Fox said he would consider his options and thanked the supervisors.
The supervisors also approved a conditional use for timbering on Larson Road. During the public hearing, the only concern from residents was that the road, which is a private dirt road, be maintained and repaired. The residents met with the owner of the timbering company, Green Chain Enterprises, to work out details.
Bids for stone were opened and the low bidder for 6S (anti-skid) material at 1,200 tons, more or less, was Bucktail Excavators at $16.22 per ton. The low bidder for 67 limestone at 2,000 tons, more or less, was Woodland Equipment and Supply at $15.56 per ton.
Several items were approved under the secretary’s report. Money was received from the state for the police pension account and it was approved to write a check for $190,366.15 to the account and also an additional $75,030.85 to meet the remainder for 2016. Money was also received for the fire relief association and $40,580.31 will be deposited in that account.
The supervisors approved a quote from James Hoyt Plumbing for repairs found during smoke testing. Also, a grant extension to Sept. 30, 2017 for the Buckle Up Program was approved and the lease agreement with Progressive Specialty Glass for two more years.
Work has started on the 2017 budget and meeting dates will be announced at the next meeting.
Arbor Pro will be trimming trees along Riverview Road and down Coal Hill Road to the borough line at a cost of $8,500.
Chairman Randy Powell also announced that the township received a quote of $1,600 to remove the old decals and replace them with new for the police truck purchased from Curwensville Borough. Full Throttle Designs of Clearfield will do the work.