Washington Township supervisors approved a bevy of motions to get the Cypress Creek Renewables (CCR) solar field up and running on the property belonging to Marcie and Matt Steinman on Lake Lucy Road.
The supervisors approved signing and submitting CCR’s application to apply for a highway occupancy permit, the Steinman’s temporary easement for the piece of ground contained in the CCR construction, the road maintenance agreement with dust control for Hershberger Road and a driveway permit application to convert CCR’s temporary driveways into permanent driveways.
The solar field is named Cobalt its construction cost estimate is $30 million. The 20-megawatt farm will span 190 acres and the energy it will provide will be enough to power around 3,500 homes.
Road repair issue
Wilson Road in the township is in a state of disrepair since it was used as a mining road by K&A Mining.
The township had a road bond with K&A Mining owner Edward Atwell to maintain the road. Washington Township Supervisor Chairman Mark Beichner kept up with the road maintenance when he first started using the roadway but had not kept up with it.
Beichner said that the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) had shut down the K&A mining for violations and Atwell lost his permits.
Beichner said he invited Atwell to attend the meeting but Atwell declined.
Washington Township Supervisor Vice-Chair Eric Bauer said he was in contact with Atwell the week before the meeting.
Township solicitor Joseph Keebler asked what Atwell had said.
“I called him and talked to him about the road and wanted to know what his plans were,” Bauer said. “He’s broke. DEP fined him $250,000 or something like that.”
Keebler asked, “So he’s out of business right now?”
Bauer responded, “He’s working for somebody else.”
Bauer went on to say that he told Atwell they were moving forward with repairing Wilson Road whether Atwell was at the township meeting or not and he was invited to attend.
Bauer relayed that Atwell responded, “There is no reason for me to be [at the township meeting] because you guys are just going to throw me under the bus.”
The Supervisors approved having Keebler move forward with reviewing the bond and pursue making a claim under the terms of the bond.
Beichner also said he was in favor of banning Atwell from ever mining in the township again.
Township roadmaster William Seitz got a number of quotes for a sealcoat bid on the road.
The supervisors approved conditionally hiring Swank Construction Company at a cost of $6,900 ($6,300 for the project and a $600 move-in fee to pave the road.
Other bids received for the project came from Donegal Construction Corporation for $8,500 and East America Inc. at $7,800.
Keebler said the township should not have Swank undertake the project until he had made contact with the bond company.
Township secretary Jacqui Blose said the supervisors should also contact PennDOT District 10 Municipal Services Specialist Marc Skarbek to have him inspect the road as well.
Clean-up days
The supervisors announced they will be holding the township clean-up days May 17 and May 18 at the township building located at 10986 State Route 36, South of Frills Corners on State Route 36.
The clean-up days were originally scheduled to be held at the Washington Township Fire Hall as in years past but PennDOT needed the Fire Hall parking area to store limestone for an upcoming road project forcing the supervisors to find another location.
The clean-up day will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 17 and from 8 a.m. until noon on May 18.
Permit reminder
Beichner wanted to remind township residents they are required to apply for a building permit through the township whenever they build anything including additions, sidewalks, driveways, sheds, dog houses, chicken coops, barns, etc.
Sign request
The supervisors received a request for the installation of an Autistic Child at Play sign on State Route 36 north near Newmansville.
Gerald Palmer made the request for the township to be an applicant for the sign and he requested the term autistic be on the signage as the child is hearing, visually and cognitively impaired and the signage will increase the awareness and alertness of passing motorists.
The township will be required to purchase the sign, purchase the sign set, erect the sign, maintain the sign and replace the sign every seven years.
The supervisors approved the township further inquire about the sign.
The Washington Township supervisors will have their next meeting May 9 at 7 p.m.