HILLSVILLE, PA. Waterline improves insurance ratings

Vouchers will be distributed instead of food.
By MARY GRZEBIENIAK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
HILLSVILLE, Pa. -- Residents along the recently constructed waterline have received an improved fire rating that may reduce their homeowners' insurance rates.
Mahoning Township Supervisor Chairman Poncho Exposito, who is also township fire chief, reported when supervisors met Tuesday that areas with hydrants are now rated 6, improved from 9.
Areas of the township that still do not have waterlines are still rated as a 9. This should improve once waterlines are constructed in the remainder of the township, Exposito said.
He said homeowners should notify their insurance companies of the change to see if they qualify for lower rates. The rating is done once every three years by the Insurance Services Office, which measures the level of fire protection.
Food distribution
Also Tuesday, supervisors learned that the regular food distribution, which has been held at the township building for years, will change next year to a system of vouchers. In a letter, Lawrence County commissioners informed supervisors that the last food distribution will be Dec. 13 at the township building.
In the next distribution, set for Feb. 26, food vouchers good at the two Giant Eagle stores in New Castle will be handed out instead of actual food. Exposito said he thinks the change came about because officials of townships which do not have refrigerators had problems keeping the food cold.
More information will be announced later about the voucher distribution.
Other matters
Supervisors agreed to install a stop sign on Martin Kelly Spear Road at Churchill Road in response to a complaint that the intersection is dangerous.
They also unanimously passed an $836,000 expense budget for 2003. Treasurer Gil Lucarelli said major expenses are for insurance, workers' compensation, payroll and payroll taxes.
Verizon notified the township that because it does not meet revenue minimums, the pay phone in the township parking lot will be removed.
Supervisors learned that work will begin Dec. 16 on the new bridge at Covert's Crossing. On Jan. 6, the road there will be closed.
They set their reorganization meeting for 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 6. The regular monthly meeting will follow. & yen;