Peters Council meeting brief, somber
The mood was somber during an unusually brief regular Peters Township Council meeting July 8, a day after one of the seven council members, Robert Atkison, died unexpectedly. Atkison, 81, had served on council 22 of the past 24 years.
A moment of silence was observed at the start of the meeting followed by comments from the council members in attendance. Gary Stiegel Jr. was absent.
When the meeting continued, council learned the state Department of Transportation will pay the township $44,263 to provide winter maintenance in 2013-14 on 19.36 miles of state-owned roads within the township, about $2,000 higher than the amount paid for the winter of 2012-13. Because of the unusually severe weather last winter, Michael Silvestri, township manager, said the state had reimbursed the township an additional $10,000 for the extra maintenance.
Council also granted permission for banners on the Arrowhead Trail bridge spanning East McMurray Road to Relay for Life and for a band festival held by the Peters Township High School marching band. No dates were listed for when the banners will be placed.
Council has been working on a new comprehensive plan detailing the future of the township for the next decade. A public hearing on the plan was set for 7:30 p.m. Sept. 16. No action will be taken following the public hearing. There is no deadline for the plan to be adopted.
When approving the payroll and bills, council members learned the $100,000 check was made payable to the Canonsburg Lake Restoration committee. The amount has been in the budget for a few years.
Members also learned there are “plenty of (sewer) taps available” in the Peters Creek Sanitary Authority.
The next council meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. July 22.