Robeson Township Board of Supervisors expressed safety concerns for those driving on pothole damaged Outlook Road and wish to address drainage issues to make sure the roads are fixed correctly beyond a cosmetic fix.
Former board member Tom White of Outlook Road spoke at the Oct. 23 Board of Supervisors meeting of the great need for repairs to the road and questioned the time it would take before repairs would begin. Poorly paved over a decade ago, he said Outlook Road is greatly afflicted by potholes and ruts.
Several members of the board questioned the safety of residents who travel the street.
Road Crew Chief Billy Lonza explained the road’s repairs are estimated to cost nearly $200,000 and would have absorbed more than a fourth of the road maintenance budget this year.
Costs to repair the road are being folded into the budget but following discussion, Lonza and the board agreed to attempt a temporary fix by giving the road a scratch coat if possible.
The issue as it is, goes well beyond the paving of old roads in the township. Many of the pipes under the old roads are in need of repair. The township wishes to address and fix pipe, base and drainage issues to make sure the roads are done correctly well beyond a simple cosmetic fix, according to the board.
Affording such repairs will depend on oil prices staying low through the spring and the township receiving more funding from Harrisburg. Board vice chair Roger Love said, “It is important for everyone to know, Robeson is one of the very few townships who cooperate with other townships to share equipment and cost to get more done for less.”
With nearly 100 miles of road, the second largest area of roads to service and maintenance in the county, funding such projects proves a daunting task, he said.
In other news, discussions continued about the wastewater treatment system for the Green Hill Lake Estates area. Gary Cuppels, Engineer and Representative for builder Stewart & Conti also known as “Nick and Les, Inc.,” requested the township take part in a meeting with or without lawyers present to discuss some possible misunderstandings that may have occurred.
The board agreed to look into a possible future meeting but did not confirm the desire to have counsel present for said meeting. Should a meeting date be established, residents were assured time and date would be advertised.
In other news Senator Judy Schwank attended Robeson Twp.’s meeting on what she called her world tour of her district.
“I want to introduce myself and say hello, my offices and those who work for me are at your disposal. Please do not hesitate to call.”
Following the realignment of districts, Robeson, once in Senator Rafferty’s territory, now falls under the protection of Schwank.
Schwank encouraged the board to take advantage of new grants available to townships and stayed to hear citizen concerns.
Other issues discussed included approval of minutes, the approval of September reports and the authorization of Direct Energy to provide electric services for township buildings for the next 30 months.