Peters Township Council hears traffic complaints from residents of Boyer Road
When a new residential development with about 40 homes is complete off of Boyer Road known as Whispering Pines, residents along Boyer Road are concerned with the excessive traffic the new development will create.
During a meeting Aug. 25, the residents approached Peters Township Council about possible solutions, including a no-left-turn restriction from Boyer Road to Bebout Road. Developer Ted Taylor requested a previous traffic calming requirement for at least three traffic islands or circles within plan be rescinded.
After hearing comments from several of the seven Boyer Road property owners, council voted down a motion that would have required the circles. As result, Michael Silvestri, township manager, said the circles are gone. However, a request, also by Taylor, to do away with the restriction on left hand turns, was referred to the township engineer for options.
Council also heard from residents in Windemere Court who, through their attorney, have given notice of the intent to file a lawsuit against First Energy Corp. to prevent the company from cutting down trees.
Don Rizer of 114 Windemere Court, asked council to join the lawsuit with the property owners. However, council did not vote to join the lawsuit, opting instead to ask John Smith, township solicitor, to investigate township easements to determine if council would decide to vote for or against joining the lawsuit. James Berquist, council chairman, said while he sympathized with the property owners, there were more than 20,000 other residents who would not be impacted by the lawsuit.
In other action, council:
• Accepted a bid though the South Hills Council of Governments for winter road salt at a cost of $79.29 per ton, up from $57.52 last year, translating to a 38 percent increase. In a normal winter, the township uses 4,000-5,000 tons.
• Rejected the only two bids received to replace the roof on the fire station on East McMurray Road. The township determined there are two distinct projects – a new roof and updating mechanicals on the roof. The project is expected to be revisited in the spring.
• Awarded a bid to Pashek for $64,000 to prepare a comprehensive parks and recreation plan for the township. Four bids were received.