N. Strabane Road Paving Program Fully Funded

Because of the anticipated revenue gaps that might be caused by the Covid-19 Pandemic, North Strabane Supervisors last month froze the road paving program until anticipated income from the Meadows Casino arrived. Those funds arrived this week and supervisors released $611,669 in funding to allow the 2020 road paving program to be completed. Township Manager Andrew Walz was pleased that the over $1,000,000 project will be completed this year and nothing will be delayed until 2021. Supervisors are looking into drafting an ordinance to allow the township to recoup costs from individuals that are deemed to be abusing the 9-1-1 Emergency System. Walz gave an illustration of someone calling 9-1-1 because of a health issue and when responders arrive, the caller really wanted to have their air conditioner turned on. Walz says that the ordinance will allow the township to bill that caller for an abuse to the system. If the bill is not paid, the township will sue at the magistrate to recoup their costs. Finally, supervisors fired their current project engineer Pennoni Engineering and replaced them with Gibson-Thomas Engineering. Township officials were displeased with delays for permits that Pennoni was responsible in acquiring. The NPDES permit that had been sent back 5 times for additional information, was finally delivered and Pennoni was replaced upon the arrival of that permit.