Municipal News
- Last Updated on Thursday, 09 May 2013 02:51
By Paul Chasko
Through the efforts of Congressman Murphy, Union Township may take ownership of 120 acres of federal property by the end of 2013. Two sites in Union Township that were Nike Missile Sites during the Cold War have been abandoned for years except for salt storage at one of the sites off Finleyville Elrama Road.
Through the efforts of Congressman Murphy, Union Township may take ownership of 120 acres of federal property by the end of 2013. Two sites in Union Township that were Nike Missile Sites during the Cold War have been abandoned for years except for salt storage at one of the sites off Finleyville Elrama Road.
 Airport Road has been cut up for a
PAWC water line. |
In 2001 the township was informed that the federal government would be returning the properties to Union Township. To say that the process proceeded slowly would be kind. Despite numerous attempts by the township to speed up the transfer, it seemed impossible to get it done. There were issues with hazardous material left by the Army at the site and questions of departmental responsibilities – it has been ongoing for years. Congressman Murphy was made aware of this and has taken this on as a project and vows to get it done. This was discussed at the April 8, Board Meeting.
Board members have had casual discussions on how to use the properties but no concrete plans surfaced. As the property has the honor of being the highest point in Washington County, leasing a piece out for a communications tower has come up numerous times. Sale to a developer, construction of a large recreation center, gas well leasing and other ideas have been discussed.
In other business:
Board member Steve Parish alerted the board on the condition of Airport Road – about 1.5 miles of the roadway has been cut up for a water line. The Pennsylvania America Water Company (PAWC) is running a new water line down the roadway. Their contractor has torn up the roadway pretty badly (see photo). Mr. Parish brought up the fact that we have an ordinance in place governing road cutting for pipelines. Unfortunately the ordinance only covers cuts across the road and as pointed out by Mr. Tullai – the ordinance does not address repairs to cuts running directly down the roadway. The Twp. Engineer and Code Enforcement Officer were authorized to examine the contractor’s plans for repairs, perform inspections and report back to the Board. Scott and Gilmore roads were cut as well and will be inspected.
• There was a brief closed executive session at the beginning of the meeting regarding the Finleyville Airport hazards Issue. Attorney for the Airport (Gerald Cook) was asked to sit in on the closed session.
• It was announced that Union Twp. received about $80,000 as their share of the State’s Marcellus Gas Impact Fees.
• Approval to pay General Fund bills in the amount of $47,006.08 was granted.
• Purchase of two replacement batteries for Union Twp. emergency Generators was approved.
• Approval was granted to place $12,000 into an escrow account for cutting down trees located on Parish property near the Finleyville Airport runway. Mr. Spahr commented that he is voting yes to limit further costs to the Twp. resulting from this issue.
• The Spencer subdivision was approved as it was approved by the Planning Commission and the Engineer.
• West Penn Power notified the township that they will be doing tree-trimming, brush-clearing and herbicide application in the area along electric line rights-of-way.
• Authorization was granted to conduct Spring road inspections .
• A motion passed to solicit gasoline bids.
• The board president received a letter from Jefferson Hills Real estate (Michelle Fitterer) that they are willing to do condemnation-related appraisals at $250 per building.
• A closed executive session was held at the end of the meeting. The solicitor announced that personnel and condemnation issues were discussed.
• A fact-finding session will be scheduled to discuss issues presented by an addition to the existing garage for 24/7 housing of a JHAAA ambulance and crew.
• The solicitor will review a request proposed by a resident to acquire ownership of an undeveloped street adjacent to his property.
Board members have had casual discussions on how to use the properties but no concrete plans surfaced. As the property has the honor of being the highest point in Washington County, leasing a piece out for a communications tower has come up numerous times. Sale to a developer, construction of a large recreation center, gas well leasing and other ideas have been discussed.
In other business:
Board member Steve Parish alerted the board on the condition of Airport Road – about 1.5 miles of the roadway has been cut up for a water line. The Pennsylvania America Water Company (PAWC) is running a new water line down the roadway. Their contractor has torn up the roadway pretty badly (see photo). Mr. Parish brought up the fact that we have an ordinance in place governing road cutting for pipelines. Unfortunately the ordinance only covers cuts across the road and as pointed out by Mr. Tullai – the ordinance does not address repairs to cuts running directly down the roadway. The Twp. Engineer and Code Enforcement Officer were authorized to examine the contractor’s plans for repairs, perform inspections and report back to the Board. Scott and Gilmore roads were cut as well and will be inspected.
• There was a brief closed executive session at the beginning of the meeting regarding the Finleyville Airport hazards Issue. Attorney for the Airport (Gerald Cook) was asked to sit in on the closed session.
• It was announced that Union Twp. received about $80,000 as their share of the State’s Marcellus Gas Impact Fees.
• Approval to pay General Fund bills in the amount of $47,006.08 was granted.
• Purchase of two replacement batteries for Union Twp. emergency Generators was approved.
• Approval was granted to place $12,000 into an escrow account for cutting down trees located on Parish property near the Finleyville Airport runway. Mr. Spahr commented that he is voting yes to limit further costs to the Twp. resulting from this issue.
• The Spencer subdivision was approved as it was approved by the Planning Commission and the Engineer.
• West Penn Power notified the township that they will be doing tree-trimming, brush-clearing and herbicide application in the area along electric line rights-of-way.
• Authorization was granted to conduct Spring road inspections .
• A motion passed to solicit gasoline bids.
• The board president received a letter from Jefferson Hills Real estate (Michelle Fitterer) that they are willing to do condemnation-related appraisals at $250 per building.
• A closed executive session was held at the end of the meeting. The solicitor announced that personnel and condemnation issues were discussed.
• A fact-finding session will be scheduled to discuss issues presented by an addition to the existing garage for 24/7 housing of a JHAAA ambulance and crew.
• The solicitor will review a request proposed by a resident to acquire ownership of an undeveloped street adjacent to his property.
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