Tingley Lake stormwater issues resolved

BY PAT FARNELLI

TheHarfordTownshiproad crew was able to complete theirStearns Roadproject by the end of the first week of February, it was announced at the supervisors’ meeting last Tuesday, Feb. 14.

The new pipe was installed under the road between Jan. 27 and Feb. 6, whileStearns Roadwas closed. At the time, the supervisors were concerned that a heavy period of rain might force them to trench over the road and enclose the project to prevent danger to residents upstream, and to the dam.

Roadmaster Eric Allen was called, and the pool below the overflow of the dam was close to flood level, but after consulting the state Department of Transportation (PennDOT), the township solicitor, and the project engineer, the crew went ahead to do the project.

The pipe was set at a recommended level, under an existing sewer line, and then the area around the pipe was backfilled with sand as per emergency authorization. The pipe was then flagged, and the road was finished, with the exception of guard rails on both sides, which will still need to be installed.

Most of the excavation was accomplished by a local contractor with a much larger backhoe. The rest of the work was done by the township road crew.

The road has been the subject of much strife within the township over the past two years, and residents of theTingleyLakecommunity filed a lawsuit against the township in Susquehanna County Court because the pipe under the road had collapsed and filled with debris.

The lawsuit is still in progress, but supervisor Garry Foltz said, “For the most part, it is behind us. The suit filed against the township is in equity now.”

A general form for road agreement proposals for natural gas companies and pipeline contractors was drafted, Foltz said.

Road agreements were previously received from Bluestone Gathering and Williams Pipeline, and other road agreements have been received by the supervisors, including one from Cabot Oil & Gas.

The supervisors were approached by a gas company representative about allowing 102-inch tractor trailers on the township roads. At the time, a form was reviewed by the supervisors, who signed the form, but no vote was taken.

Since then, Foltz was informed that this was not legal, and that the township cannot authorize 102-inch trailers on the roads, according to the Pennsylvania Surface Transportation Act. The supervisors will send a letter rescinding their signatures on the permission letter.

The supervisors discussed weight limits on paved roads in the township, which are all set at a 10 ton limit. The bridge onLower Podunk Roadhas a four ton limit.

Three Lakes Roadwas worked by one of the gas companies up to theNew Milfordtownship line, and two tri-axles can now pass, Foltz said. There are serious concerns with plank road.

A pipeline will be bored under Route 11 and Martins Creek, which will convey water for hrydrofracking at a well pad.

After the well is fracked the pipeline will then be used to transport gas.

The road will be improved afterward.

A new truck purchased by the township was in the parking lot for public view, and will soon be lettered with the words “HarfordTownship.”

Part of the funds to purchase the truck were taken out of the township’s gas lease account, as was money for road materials.The truck is a 2012 Dodge Ram 5500 truck cab and chassis, purchased for approximately $41,000 from Hondru Fleet in Manheim, and Powell’s garage was awarded the bid to custom build the dump truck according to the township’s needs, for an additional $25,000.

A bank loan was taken for part of the money, and the gas lease account was used for the remainder.

The township will advertise for bids for calcium and oil for dust control.