Peters passes mineral extraction ordinance amendment
While the initial mineral extraction ordinance was met with numerous residents’ comments in Peters Township, an amendment to the original one regulating drilling for natural gas passed Oct. 14 without comment.
The amendment deals with seismic testing and modifications to comply with state laws, such as eliminating the township’s original restriction to require only electric-powered compressors. The state law permits diesel-powered compressors.
Council members, minus Michael McCaig and Monica Merrell, unanimously approved an amendment to the 2013 budget for about $100,00 in funds to pay higher insurance costs and to pay for projects anticipated for completion in the 2012 budget that were not finished until 2013, said Michael Silvestri, township manager. The township has $896,000 in reserve funds to pay for unanticipated costs.
After approving two requests by township non-profits to place banners on the Arrowhead Trail Bridge over East McMurray Road, council unanimously approved a new draft policy. It stipulates what organization may place banners on the bridge to advertise upcoming events. No businesses or other non-profits may request placement, and no more than one banner at a time may appear on the bridge.
The requests approved were for the Peters Township High School cheerleaders to advertise a pancake breakfast between 8:30 a.m. and noon Nov. 16 at St. Benedict the Abbot Church, and for the Peters Township Thespians beginning Oct. 17.
Council members discussed the effectiveness of using speed humps on township roads where residents feel traffic is speeding. The ordinance permits property owners to decide. The most recent request cam from citizens, who live on Maple Lane. Sixty percent of the property owners voted (77 of the 119 residences). Of those, 63 percent requested some type of traffic calming. Council voted to install two speed humps on Maple Lane plus add of a three-way stop sign with the intersection of Julrich Drive.
Council president Frank Arcuri said he would like to see another solution to the issue of speeding as installing humps is expensive for the township.
Councilman David Ball said each hump costs about $3,000.
“We have to change the policy,” Arcuri said. “We are going to be known as the township of speed humps. You can’t regulate everything.”
After approving the Maple Lane request, council voted to accept a petition by residents on Doubletree Drive to have a traffic calming study. As the petition contained the required number of signatures under the current policy, council voted to conduct the study. Arcuri told Silvestri he would like information on the number of accidents and citations in the area before the study is completed.
In other action, council:
• Approved a request to add .0597 acres to one lot, and .0150 acres to property by Kenneth and Julie Kelso.
• Approved the subdivision of .51 acres from an 8.43-acre parcel owned by Richard and Regina Beinhauer off Justabout Road. Beinhauer said he will give the small lot on Ivy Lane to his brother.
• Approved a change order of $5,987 to East-West Manufacturing & Supply Co. for the current heating, ventilation and air conditioning contract for the township building. The increase is 1.2 percent of the $489,200 contract.
• Recognized Willliam Johnson, solicitor since 1978, for his service with a clock and tickets for the Grand Canyon Railway. Johnson is not retiring from his law practice, but said he is curtailing his obligations with the township. Council hired attorney John Smith to serve as solicitor.