Harford debates truck’s fate

BY PAT FARNELLI

Harford Township supervisors are replacing a 2003 Ford 550 truck with a new one, but it is the old truck, not the new, that is becoming a major issue during township meetings.

At the March meeting, the supervisors approved the purchase of a new Ford F550 Super Duper truck with a dump box to replace an older truck of the same make and model.

Neighboring Gibson Township had expressed an interest in purchasing the engine and clutch from the old truck, offering $800.

At the meeting Wednesday, Apr. 8, the supervisors said they would be selling the requested parts to Gibson Township.

Former Supervisor Garry Foltz objected, saying that the truck should be put out for bids as it still runs. He offered a starting bid of $2,500. Someone countered that he had said it was worth $3,000 last month. “Then make it $3,000,” he said.

The supervisors declined, saying that they were giving the other township a deal as a favor.

Township resident Maureen Warren said, “Isn’t that illegal? They are not doing their fiduciary duty if they sell it for less than it is worth.”

Also discussed during the meeting were a 2014 Utility Ford 350, a dump box for the Kodiak truck, and putting unused equipment out for bid.

Under new business, Lower Podunk bridge is due for an annual inspection. It has been labeled as a Category 2 bridge, and the next step down is “closed.”
It was recommended that funds be used to shore up the sides which are badly scoured. PennDOT says that the deck is fine.

Supervisor Conrad Owens said that if the bridge is closed, the township “will lose a pile of liquid fuels money.” Eight miles is 15 percent of the eligible township roads, which would amount to a huge cut.

The process to inspect the bridge involves temporarily damming the flow of the creek and using a diver to do the inspection.

A spring cleanup has been set for the first week of June.

The supervisors appointed Steve Smith as Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator, saying he had expressed an interest.

An executive session was held after the meeting for a legal issue involving the escaped bull from the Harford Fair.