DUBOIS – Despite some concerns, the Sandy Township Supervisors voted on Monday night to conduct a poll to gauge residents’ opinions on the township’s proposed consolidation with DuBois City.
Prior to voting, the supervisors voiced concerns over wasted time and costs associated with the consolidation process, especially if one or both municipalities were “dead-set” against it.
The supervisors said the poll could help determine if that were in fact the case. And, if a clear percentage of residents were against the consolidation effort, they could terminate the process.
The supervisors said if residents were split 60-40, it would still be a “gray but a suggestive range,” but an 80-percent range could be taken as a clear indictor.
The supervisors said the cost of the poll would be split between Sandy Township and DuBois City, so long as both gave approval. The estimated cost of the poll is $6,000.
“They (DuBois City) seem to be in favor of a public poll,” commented Township Manager Shawn Arbaugh. The supervisors also had some concerns over the sample size of 400-460 people.
This, Supervisor Mark Sullivan, pointed out was only representative of about 200 residents from each municipality, which in turn, raised some questions over whether the poll was worth the cost.
At the same time, the supervisors also expressed disappointment that only about 200 people were present for the public hearing on the DuBois-Sandy consolidation study.
Supervisors Bill Beers, Jim Jeffers, Kevin Salandra and Mark Sullivan voted in favor of the poll. Supervisor Sam Mollica cast the lone opposing vote.