May 14, 2015
Pennsylvania

Wind turbines resurface on Hegins Township agenda

By Rebecca Zemencik, Managing Editor | The Citizen Standard | May 14, 2015 | citizenstandard.com

VALLEY VIEW – Hegins Township Supervisors learned Monday evening that they will have a new issue besides the sewer project to contend with. Rob Feldman, land use director of Rausch Creek Land, LP announced at the Hegins Township Supervisors’ meeting that Rausch Creek has been talking to developers in the wind turbine industry to revitalize the project that was talked about several years ago that involved BP.

Feldman said Rausch Creek has been in contact with Tradewind Energy, a large well-known company. He said Rausch Creek has an agreement with them and hopefully it will turn into a lease.

Feldman said Jeff Hammond of Tradewind Energy will be in town later this week to discuss the pros and cons of the project with anyone that may have questions or concerns. He said there is no public meeting scheduled at this time because of the preliminary stage of the project, but Feldman said he could get Hammond in contact with anyone that would like to speak to him. Those wishing to speak with Hammond should call Feldman at Rausch Creek Lane office at 570-682-3181, ext. 1024 and ask for Rob and he will put them in touch with Hammond.

Feldman said this is in the preliminary stages and he didn’t feel the township meeting was the right forum for Jeff Hammond of Tradewinds to attend and discuss the project.

Several members of the public who were in attendance at the township meeting have already expressed their vocal opposition to the wind turbines and they felt Hammond should have been at the township meeting.

Feldman said Tradwinds Energy has all the plans that BP had in place, but he said that doesn’t bind Tradewinds to follow that plan. He said they will come in and have to do their own studies and permitting, etc.

Feldman said at this early stage it would effect 12,000 acres of ridgetops in five townships. He said he believes it would affect the ridgetops west of Valley View on Bear Mountain, across the gap, and Good Spring Mountain toward I-81.

Supervisor Mike Begis said he believes Tradewind Energy should schedule a public meeting and get the word out in the newspaper.

Truck purchase

Last month Supervisor Brad Carl said he would investigate and bring prices for the purchase of an F-800 truck for the township. He not only came with prices but also with a chart that he constructed to show the benefits.

Carl’s efforts didn’t pay off. He couldn’t convince Supervisor Begis or LeRoy Shuey that the purchase was necessary. Carl made a motion to purchase the truck, but it died for a lack of a second.

Road report

The township awarded the road project bid to Hammakers East, in the amount of $56,345.43. The bid includes tarring and chipping Old Mill Road, a portion of Broad Street, a portion of Grove Drive, Church Road, and Forest Drive.

The supervisors joined with Hubley and Barry Townships on bidding the road projects in order to receive the best possible prices.

It was also noted that there is a problem with items being put in the yard waste bin at the township complex that shouldn’t be placed there. Road Foreman Craig Coleman said someone dumped a load of stone and cement there which had to be cleaned out. He also said leaves were placed there in garbage bags, but they were later emptied and the bags taken away. The bin is for yard waste and clippings.

The township solicitor is drafting an equipment agreement with Hubley Township. Hegins and Hubley Township sometimes share equipment and now the township wants to be an agreement in writing. The agreement will include items such as gas, oil, etc. will need to be purchased by whichever township is using the equipment, the owner of the equipment is responsible for storing it and if something breaks while in use it’s the responsibility of the township that was using it at the time of the breakage to fix it. The agreement will be for a one year term and can be canceled in 60-days. The supervisors will look over the draft and move forward at the next meeting.

Act 537

The supervisors reported that DEP gave their approval for the plan on April 17 and it has been advertised in the PA Bulletin on May 9 and is now in the 30-day appeal period. They said no action will be taken on the plan until the appeal period expires.

Tri-Valley Community Pool

It was reported last month that there was a leak at the pool. Since that time, Boyers Pool Service has been in to inspect the problem and they feel the concrete seems need to be recaulked. They believe the cold winter caused the expansion joints to open up. The township road crew will do the caulking and then it will be filled to determine if it will hold water. If everything goes as planned the pool is tentatively scheduled to open June 9.

Trap Club Bridge

The township has received money from FEMA to remove the Trap Club Bridge. The bridge was damaged in Tropical Storm Lee and has been closed to traffic and pedestrians since that time.

Sandy McCauliffe asked if the bridge couldn’t be left there and used for pedestrians only.

The supervisors said that would be nice, but since the bridge isn’t structurally safe, it would be the township’s responsibility if it were to fall into the creek. Supervisor Shuey also said the township would still be paying bridge inspection fees as well. FEMA has disbursed the funds and since it’s not safe, it must be removed. The township will need to secure bids to dismantle the bridges. It plans to use the stones from that bridge to help with a bank restoration at the Grove Drive bridge.

Franchising mistake

Resident and business owner Randy Shadle alerted the township supervisors that there has been a franchising error on his Comcast bill and he just noticed it. He said on the back of the coupon portion of the payment his bill said that his franchise tax was being payed to Hubley Township. He said he also checked with Palmer Reed Motor Sales in Valley View and there’s also said Hubley Township.

“My home bill is correct, it is only my business account that is being paid to Hubley Township,” said Shadle. I live and own my business in Hegins Township and that’s where my franchise money should be paid.”

Shadle said he contacted Comcast and when he finally got through to them he was told the township secretary would have to look into it. Kathy Moyer, township secretary said she will contact their Comcast representative and determine how to get the money to the right township and to determine how long it has been going on. Residents are encouraged to check their Comcast bills and if anyone else finds Hubley Township on their bills to contact the township office at 570-682-9133.

Important dates

The township office will be closed May 25-29th.

Residents are encouraged to go vote on May 19.

Food pantry will be held May 20, beginning at 8 a.m. at the township office.

The next township meeting will be held June 8, at 7 p.m. at the Hegins Area Ambulance Building, Gap Street.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/05/14/wind-turbines-resurface-on-hegins-township-agenda/