Hi, Neighbors. Spring has sprung in Aleppo! What a beautiful season in our little part of the world.
We had a Workshop Meeting last night and I wanted to let you know what happened.
Before I get into the heart of the digest, there are three topics that came up that I want to pull up to the top and give special treatment.
First is the question of paving of Overlook Drive, which is back near the industrial park off Deer Run Road. Last year, we contracted to have this road repaved. In the meantime, we’ve changed municipal engineers. Our new engineer reevaluated the specs for the paving of this road and believes we should make changes to the work to be done. He presented us with 2 options. The first option would cost about $18,500 more than we had budgeted for but would build a more substantial road than originally speced, which is believed to be the type of road suited for use by heavy trucks in an industrial park. The second option would cost $32,000 less than we had budgeted for but would result in a residential-grade road. Commissioner Lisanti made a motion that we approve the heavy-grade road and we will vote on his motion at Monday’s Legislative Meeting. If you would like to add your thoughts on this issue, please click here to watch this portion of last night’s meeting (where many of your questions will be answered) and then respond to this email with your thoughts and I will pass them along next week.
Second, we heard that our water supplier will be raising our water rate 31% effective July of this year. Commissioner Lisanti is planning to sit down with the supplier in hopes of mitigating these increases, but it seems clear that some significant increase is imminent. I would be interested to hear your thoughts on this increase, but–again–urge residents to click here to hear Commissioner Lisanti’s report and the following discussion, which will likely answer many of your questions. I raise this issue now just to make sure that you all hear what we hear, as soon as we hear it.
Third, we discussed the possibility of a state grant to pay for our new water line to address the concern about the landslide. (Click here to jump to this portion of last night’s meeting.) This water line is a significant portion of your increased water rate and a state grant would go a long way towards checking additional rate increases. Commissioner Lisanti informed us that State Senator Matt Smith is supportive. We, however, need the support of State Representative Mark Mustio on this issue. IF YOU WANT TO DO SOMETHING TO HELP CONTROL THE RATE YOU PAY FOR WATER, I URGE YOU TO CONTACT SEN. SMITH AND REP. MUSTIO AND ASK THEM TO SUPPORT OUR GRANT APPLICATION. Click here to contact Sen. Smith and click here to contact Rep. Mustio. It will take you only a few minutes, but all of our voices will go a long way.
OK, those three thoughts out of the way, here’s the bullet list of what we did. If you want to start at the very beginning, click here. Or, feel free to use the links below to jump to the portion of the meeting that is of particular interest to you:
- We heard a presentation by the lawyer we have hired to assist us with the refinancing of the sewer bond issue and he asked us to pass an ordinance concerning the re-issuance of those bonds and we will vote on that at Monday’s Legislative Meeting. (Click here to jump to this portion of last night’s meeting.)
- We discussed the township’s policy concerning use of cell phones by township employees while driving. (Click here to jump to this portion of last night’s meeting.)
- We heard briefly about 2 applications for subdivisions that may or may not be voted on at Monday’s Legislative Meeting. (Click here to jump to this portion of last night’s meeting.)
- We had a detailed presentation from the township Emergency Management Coordinator about the status of Emergency Operation Plan, which included an update of where we stand and what needs to happen for us to become compliant with our county, state, and federal emergency management obligations. (Click here to jump to this portion of last night’s meeting.)
- The Chief of the Aleppo VFD told us about the calls that our fire department has responded to in the first quarter of 2015 and an updated us about their operations. (Click here to jump to this portion of last night’s meeting.)
- Finally, we heard that electronic billing from the Aleppo Township Authority should be active this week (hooray!). (Click here to jump to this portion of last night’s meeting.)
Finally, a date to note: during his presentation, Chief Davis told us that the Aleppo VFD will be hosting an Open House on May 9 from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. There will be all sorts of neat tactical vehicles to look at and safety demonstrations. This will be a great date to get out and get to know your neighbors and the men and women who protect us, so please mark it on your calendar.
Our next meeting will take place on Monday, April 20 at 7:00 PM at the Township Building. If you have anything to say about any of these issues, I encourage you to join us. If you cannot make the meeting and still want to share a thought, please feel free to write to me and I’ll be sure to let the other commissioners know how you feel.
Thanks, everybody.
Best wishes,
Matthew Doebler
Aleppo Township Commissioner