News

July 7, 2009

Bear Creek Twp. delays purchase of backhoe

Supervisors also discuss legislation that would change police protection fees.

JANINE UNGVARSKY Times Leader Correspondent

BEAR CREEK TWP. -- Comparing road equipment isn’t as easy as comparing apples, prompting supervisors on Monday to hold off on purchasing a backhoe for another month.

The supervisors continued to table the purchase because deciding among five bids for five different backhoes turned out to involve more than just choosing the lowest price. Although all five machines meet the township’s needs, supervisors were told the prices ranging from a high of around $59,000 to a low of just under $51,000 represented a variety of additional features that could make a higher priced machine a better value.

“We have to have the specs to have a baseline so we’re comparing apples to apples,” said Supervisor Gary Masi. Supervisors agreed to meet with the road foreman and an independent expert before the August meeting to decide which backhoe to buy.

Solicitor William Vinsko reported an agreement on the joint development project with the Bear Creek Community Charter School is near finalization. Vinsko said nothing further has been heard from the landowners or another party interested in developing the same parcel of land behind the existing school despite attempts to contact the solicitor representing the landowners. The township voted previously to acquire 25 acres of the 600-acre plot by eminent domain if necessary.

“We’re proceeding but we’re still willing to talk to them. Everything is still on the table,” Vinsko said.

Supervisors also discussed two bills pending before the state legislature that could impact the township. House Bill 1500 would require municipalities without their own police force to pay state police as much as $156 per resident for state police protection. Chairman Gary Zingaretti said that based on the 2000 census, the bill would cost the township $402,000 a year.

The township’s income, not counting grants, is about $600,000 a year, he said.

The second bill, House Bill 963, would phase out the township’s share of fines collected by state police within five years. Supervisors approved a motion objecting to both bills and will send letters to area legislators voicing their concerns about the effects on the township.

In other business, the supervisors:

•Noted that contracts are being drawn up and paving work on Old Ford, Hillcrest and Shades Glen Roads will begin soon.

•Approved the installation of a radio antenna for the ambulance company on the roof of a township building, providing the work is inspected and the township is allowed access to the antenna in the future if needed.

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