Sheffield Township Supervisors

Sheffield Township supervisors met on Monday, August 7, for their regular meeting. There were only two guests present who were just there for observation only. Scott Paris of 8 Pickering Street asked about a permit for a 10 x 25 carport attached to his garage. The secretary informed him that he would need a stormwater management application from the township for $25.

After reviewing the roadmaster reports, Supervisor Paris asked that the road crew differentiate on their reports as to which park they are working at; for example, Tionesta Park or Memorial Park or Sports Complex.

The township solicitor will be sending a violation letter for grass ordinance the owner of 59 Second Mill. Resolution No. 462 was adopted declaring certain conditions as a nusiance at 336 Horton Avenue. Kulka’s driveway on Pratt Street will be fixed from the replacement of the driveway pipe along with the dip in front of the Bowlaway Lanes on Leather Street with hot patch.

Howe Township has a population of 178 citizens. Based on the population, Supervisor Bulicz stated that the townshop could be receiving $300 to $400 from Howe Township for the workers’ compensation. Supervisor Paris asked if there is a meeting set up with Howe Township to discuss this. Supervisor Bulicz stated not as of yet.

The dumpster on Horton Avenue at 326-328 is not being dumped because of non-payment and there is nothing Advanced Disposal can do because it needs paid before they do anything. The secretary informed Advanced Disposal that it is also obstructing the view of the neighbor’s driveway and, again, she said they can do nothing because it’s not paid. The dumpster has been dumped and is full again. The tenant has moved out of the apartment and has cleaned up their mess by the garage, with the exception of a pile of tires. The letter to the owner has been returned unable to forward, however the secretary has found his new address in Russell.

Supervisor Paris asked about the garbage ordinance and doesn’t it make everybody have to have garbage pick up in our township. The secretary will get Supervisor Paris a copy of this ordinance for her review.

Workers’ Compensation policy for the fire department for a year is $11,170 of the $16,981 total township workers compensation policy. The township will pay $581 a month for 10 months for its costs and the fire department will be paying their monthly installments of $1,117 a month for 10 months. Previously the supervisors had stated that the fire department would be responsible for only one payment of $1,661, but a fire tax was imposed to pay for the workers’ compensation increase approximately three years ago.

Complaints were received that on Dunham Street there are stones in the right-of-way and this right-of-way is 16 feet because most of the township roads are 32 feet. The same individual complained about the overgrown trees on Cemetery Road and Utah Road and when he worked for the township he had a company come in and cut back the trees and would then have to clean up the debris after they were done.

The property owner at Dunham Street was present and stated that stones are on her property and she placed them there to stop people from parking in her yard. The Assistant Roadmaster will take a look at this and be in contact with the property owner if there is a problem.

Supervisor Bulicz and Supervisor Paris met with the owner of the property at the end of Cottage Avenue on Friday, July 21, to discuss the recent violation letter that was sent to him. Supervisor Bulicz stated that initially it looked as if things had been cleaned up to some degree, but the grass is so grown up, it hides the debris. The owner stated that we had no right to be on his property to take the pictures because we don’t have a right-of-way for the road, the road is his property. The solicitor is taking a look at the deeds.

Dry hydrant updates:

Permits were received from DEP and returned with signatures and once the township gets them back from DEP, it can proceed with the installation of the three dry hydrants.

Assistant Roadmaster Lester viewed the proposed sites for the dry hydrants with John Labesky.

The first site was on Henry’s Mill Road along the bridge over the Tionesta Creek. They walked down to the creek and talked about possibly removing some of the guide rails in order to have plenty of room for a fire truck.

The township will also need to get a hold of the land owner to get permission to install the hydrant and to remove three trees that are dying and one tree that is already dead. Upon looking at this site, it appears that the township will have to bring in material to widen the area and also hire a contractor to dig as the township’s equipment is not big enough to handle such a task. Employees would have to dig at least 10 feet down.

Having no way to shore the trench, it would have to be widened so there would not be a hazard of collapsing. Heather Vaugh of James City is the property owner and a letter has been sent to her. She has contacted the township and, after speaking with her husband, will be in contact.

The second area visited was near the Sheffield Container property along the Two-Mile Creek. They determined that this may be the easiest one to do, but still may have to hire a contractor to be able to reach out to the depths that need to attain for proper installation.

The final area that was visited was on the Center Street Bridge over the Two-Mile Creek. Upon looking at this area, the township would have to have a large piece of equipment that could reach to the creek and move large rocks that were placed against the bridge abutments. Also for this project, the township would have to get a contractor. The time frame for this work to be completed is June 15 to October 1, and the permits are good until 2022. The fire department selected these sights.

Supervisor Paris asked about contacting three contractors for price per sight. It was discussed to do the two hydrants installation, one at Center Street Bridge and one at the Horton Avenue Bridge in the event that the township doesn’t get permission from the property owner on Henry’s Mills Road.

Supervisor Paris asked that the Assistant Roadmaster contact Keith White, Fox & Sons and Steve McNeal to get phone quotes for these sights.

Henry’s Mills Road Bridge over south branch of Tionesta Creek and Saybrook Bridge over Four-Mile Run were both inspected by Stiffler, McGraw & Associates, Inc.

Recommendations for Saybrook Road Bridge are as follows:

Priority 2 — Reinstall hazard clearance signs to align with inside face of bridge railing, $100;

Priority 2 — Repair pavement at near approach to deck transition, $1,000;

Priority 4 — Sand, prime and paint superstructure, $7,000.

Priority 2 means to adjust schedule if needed and Priority 4 means routine and structural.

Recommendations for Henry’s Mills Road Bridge are a priority 3, which means to add it to scheduled work. Backfill scour hole underneath structure at midspan at a $1,000 estimated cost

Sheffield Container signs for Horton Avenue were discussed. John Sixt was in the office and gave the secretary what he would like to see on the signs.

“Sheffield Container Corporation, 311 Horton Avenue, Local Delivery and Pick Up” on a brown sign and four metal signs would be needed.

Assistant Roadmaster Lester will take care of the ordering of these through U.S. Municipal.

The Ruth M. Smith Center will need to be contacted because one of the signs would be on its property.

Drainage pipe in the back yards of First Mill Street are collapsing; property owners are saying the township put these drains in and is responsible for replacing them.

The property at 15-1/2 Tan Street has been turned over to the Blighted Property Review Committee. The committee sent letters to both property owners, inviting them both to the next meeting at noon on Thursday, August 17, requesting a written plan with specific dates for the committee to consider. The wife of the one owner contacted the BPRC and stated that the inside of the house is way worse than the outside and all the plumbing has been removed along with the electric. Paul Pascuzzi of the BPRC strongly suggested that the township be represented at the committee meeting. He felt this would move through the blighted property review fast and then sit at the Redevelopment Authority unless the township was present.

The Warren County EMS Response Workshop is 6:30 p.m. Sept. 14 at the Warren County Courthouse — Jefferson Courtroom.

Glenn Weaver completed the front porch steps and railings, all ADA compliant. Total cost was $5,600. The bill to Ace Hardware was paid totaling $3,756.42, and Weaver was paid $1,843.58.

The DAV is putting on two additions on the north and south side of the exiting building on Tollgate Road and installing a new metal roof on the existing building. A Stormwater Management Application is on hand for supervisor’s signature. Supervisor Bulicz signed and approved the permit. Coach Fitch asked for permission to have football practice at Memorial park on Wednesday of this week from 5 to 7:30 p.m. It was stated that the carnival campers will be moving in, but otherwise this was fine.

Supervisor Paris asked about putting game cameras on the recycling center to try to stop the throwing of trash in the recycling bins. Again, the road crew has had to remove old carpet and garbage. The secretary will look into the cost of these. Supervisor Paris has contacted Penn DOT for the traffic signs to be placed coming into town from Barnes to slow traffic down. She stated PennDOT will see where they currently are and work on getting them placed here in our township.

Supervisor Paris invited the township employees to partake in the parade again this year. The secretary will call Jones Chevrolet for a truck and the secretary will get the candy.

Supervisor Paris spoke about a backpack program that is helping to send children to school with the proper supplies they will need. To fill a backpack or to request a backpack, you can fill out a request form at www.tofillabackpack.org. Supervisor Bulicz asked Assistant Roadmaster Lester when the City of Warren is coming with its vac truck to clean out the drains under the roadway.

Mr. Lester stated that this has been done.

Supervisor Paris asked if there is a cost to us for this service and Supervisor Labesky stated he did not believe so.

Other matters discussed:

– Church Street electric pole replacement is being done by Windstream and Penelec.

– No swimming pool permit was obtained by the property owners at 212 High Street, the City of Warren will be taking care of this.

-We are receiving monthly payments from Mr. Akers for the grass ordinance violation for 4031 Route 6 from the Magistrate’s office.

– R & N Resources, LLC is drilling in Sheffield Township looks like off of 948 on the John Cochran farm.

– The special events permit for the parade has been sent to Penn DOT for approval. The state police have been notified of this parade as well.

– We received a sub division for Burnell Farnsworth for property on Willow Street from the Warren County Planning and Zoning Commission.

The next meeting of the Supervisors will be Monday, September 18th at 7:30PM at the Sheffield Hospitality Center.

Boy Scout news

Our 1st meeting of the school year is this Sunday, Sept. 10, at 5 p.m., at the high school softball field.

There will be a kickball game and kick-off for popcorn sales.

Parents are encouraged to join us since we will also try and plan out the rest of 2017 activities.

There will also be a new registration sign-up night on Wednesday, Sept. 13, at 5 p.m., at the scout room.

Troop 35’s scout room is located above the old township building next to Pit Stop.

Any boys interested in joining are invited to both events. For information, call either Denise Pierson at 688-4908 or Amy O’Donnell at 730-5944.

Piyo Class at Lions Den

Piyo class will be starting Tuesday, Sept. 12, from 6 to7 p.m. at the Lions Den. Piyo is a fusion of Pilates yoga and cardio. Karen Hulings is the teacher and she has been teaching for four years. Karen is featured in the Piyo informercial that is currently being run on TV. She is about seven minutes in.

Sheffield Rod & Gun

Fall Trap League

Due to many requests and much input about extending the trap season, the Rod & Gun Club will be having a fall league. The shoots will be held on Sundays, with sign-up frim 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. All shooters will shoot at the host club. Each team will host one shoot. Scoring will be the same as the winter league point system — 7 points for high team score; 6 points for 2nd; 5 points for 3rd, etc. Shooting fees will be the same, $11 for adults and $8 for Juniors/Sub-Juniors. This includes a $2 league fee for all shooters.

The following is the schedule:

Sept 17th- Tidioute, Sept 24th – Corry, Oct 1 – Sugar Grove, Oct 9- Kalbfus, Oct 15-Brokenstraw, Oct 22 – Pine Grove, Oct 29-Sheffield.

Every Monday at 6 p.m. there is an open trap shoot at Sheffield Rod & Gun Club to practice trap shooting.

Sheffield Township

Tax Collection

The 2017 tax bills have been mailed out. 2017 tax collection hours will be held in the Sheffield Township Library located at 20 Leather Street. This year’s hours are as follows: September 20, 25, 27 from 6-8 p.m.; September 23 from 9 a.m. to noon; September 29 from 3 to 5 p.m. Payments in person will only be accepted at the library during the hours listed above and only by the tax collector. Payments not received during office hours may be mailed to:

Lorie Corbin, Tax Collector PO Box 997 Sheffield, Pa. 16347.

If you are paying in person, please be sure to get a stamped receipt at the time of your payment. As stated on your tax bills, if a receipt is desired at a later time, please mail a self-addressed stamped envelope to the payment address listed above. Receipts will not be granted via phone calls or by stopping by home.

Sheffield Hospitality

Center

Grandparents Day will be held on Sunday.

Stop in and have your blood sugar taken by Esther from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., and stay for coffee, snacks and conversation. We will be accepting donations for our Thanksgiving basket to be raffled off — tickets are three for $1, and once again there will be a $50 bill included in the basket.

If you haven’t already sent for your property tax or rent rebate, you still have time, it’s been extended to the end of the year.

We will be having entertainment by the Birch St Boys for our birthday/anniversary luncheon; sign up now for this enjoyable event the last Thursday of the month.

Trips:

September 18-22 — Montreal & Quebec City guided tour.

New for 2018:

April 30-May 10 — Iceland, Ireland & Scotland, flight from Buffalo to Dublin then board the Celebrity Eclipse; there are only two openings left for this cruise.

June 12-13 — The Sight & Sound Theater in Lancaster presents the newest production of ‘Jesus’. Visit the famous Kitchen Kettle Village, the Village Farm Market & a stop at Hershey’s Chocolate World. Theater, Hotel & Transportation included $249.

September 18-21 — Wildwood, Cape May, Atlantic City & Philadelphia, tour the highlites of these famous cities $449 (dbl)

Coming Events

Sept 18th – Sheffield Township Supervisors Meeting at 7:30PM at the Hospitality Center;

Sept 24th – 3D Archery Shoot at the Sheffield Rod & Gun Club Registration from 7AM until Noon. $10 for adults and 16 and under is free;

Oct 7th – RMSC 95th Anniversary celebration at 1 p.m. on the front lawn;

Oct 13th-15th –12th Annual Johnny Appleseed Festival at Memorial Park.