Township approves blower purchase, keeps CoStar salt contract at 100 tons

Supervisors approved two public-works items after discussion of culvert maintenance and seasonal needs.

Speaker 4, the roadmaster, recommended purchasing a turbine blower to clear leaves and debris from roadside gutters and culverts so water can flow and avoid road washouts. He stated the cost as $9,248 and explained the blower would effectively move debris out of culverts and reduce manual clearing. A supervisor asked whether the blower grinds debris or moves it to a container; the roadmaster and other supervisors clarified it would blow debris back into the woods to keep culverts clear. The board voted by voice to approve the purchase.

Earlier in new business, the board discussed participation in the CoStar salt contract and chose to remain at a 100-ton commitment for the season while noting the ability to increase tonnage if needed. The motion to leave the CoStar salt contract at 100 tons passed by voice vote.

The roadmaster also reported routine winter maintenance tasks and pothole inspections; the engineer said the Greenbrier Road culvert replacement grant application has been submitted to the conservation district, with no new updates on the Minerstown Road culvert project.

The board did not attach additional conditions to the blower purchase beyond the standard procurement process and recorded the staff direction to maintain culvert-clearing priorities during storms.