Bald Eagle Supers provide township updates
By Christopher Miller
BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP – Bald Eagle Township Supervisors held their monthly meeting Monday night to discuss regular township business.
First up, Mill Hall Fire Chief Tony Walker was on hand to report on fire department activity within the township. Given their close proximity, Mill Hall Fire Company provides fire support and assistance for the neighboring townships during emergency operations.
“We have equipment on order that has repeatedly been pushed back for months such as radios that were purchased through grant money from DCNR,” Chief Walker mentioned. “The equipment was supposed to be delivered in mid-May, but now it looks like mid-June and it keeps getting pushed back each time I call about it.”
Chief Walker also mentioned the possible relocation of a dry hydrant from Country Club Lane to somewhere on the bridge. Chief Walker cited “safety concerns” as “some youth are seen using it for other purposes in the summer during swimming season.” “They think the hydrant is there for their use and not ours,” Walker said.
Visitors to the township meeting brought up questions on the recent purchase of a mini excavator. “I’ve been around here for a few years and aware of how the township operated 15 years ago to now,” a resident going by the name of Stan said. “If we didn’t need an excavator then, why do we need one now, will it sit there and depreciate in value or be used?”
Township supervisors went on to say that it was purchased with APR “Biden Bucks” that had to be spent and that “not one dime was spent from taxpayer money” in the purchase of the excavator.
Stan then went on to mention that if there is any leftover money, or winter maintenance money that was not used, that it should be used to finish the road project along Dry Run Road.
Supervisors also brought up bridge work and the closure of Laurel Run Bridge beginning on May 6 for necessary repairs.
“Detours will be along stractly state routes while the bridge is closed,” a supervisor commented.
Old business news saw little action at the meeting. Wawa was sent a detailed list of items to be addressed from PennDOT for the proposed Wawa gas and convenient store location along route 150. “There were many line items of things to address, but we haven’t heard anything regarding that,” said Township Secretary Marissa Morgan. “I followed up with the Wawa team asking if there was anything to update the township with, and they mentioned some things they were waiting for from DEP,” she said.
The Take 5 oil and lube facility planned for Hogan Boulevard near Lowe’s had received preliminary plan approval, and they were looking to address smoe storm water and property access items.
Dunnstable Township approached Bald Eagle Township with use of a grader and operator available to the township for $120/hour. “I did not receive any bids from others because I wanted to bring it to the supervisors to talk about,” Morgan said,” “but municipal to municipal business does not require any public RFP bidding.” A township supervisor suggested first looking at what township roads could benefit from being graded before entering into an agreement with Dunnstable Township.
The next township supervisors meeting is planned for Monday, May 20 at 5 PM.
