UNION TOWNSHIP Commissioners help turn-signal project

The intersection won't be upgraded until next year.
By MARY GRZEBIENIAK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Union Township is one step closer to a project officials there have wanted to do for some time: installing a turn signal and crosswalks at the busy intersection of U.S. Route 224 and Scotland Lane.
During the township supervisors' meeting Tuesday, Supervisor Steve Galizia said that Lawrence County commissioners have given the township $25,000 in liquid fuels money, which is derived from taxes on fuel. Galizia said that the money will be earmarked for the turn-signal project. However, the total cost is estimated at $70,000 and it will be 2005 before he anticipates the township will have enough money from other sources to actually do the job.
24-hour coverage
Also Tuesday, Galizia announced that as of June 11, the township has 24-hour police coverage. Prior to that, he said, there was only some overnight coverage. The additional hours were made possible by the recent hiring of two police officers.
In other business, Ed VanDusen of Winter Road presented supervisors with a petition asking that sidewalks be installed from the Medure Phase I and Phase II developments on Winter to the commercial district on U.S. Route 224. He said that walking to Union Plaza is hazardous for those living in the complex because of the heavy traffic on the narrow road. Supervisors said they will discuss the matter.
Also Tuesday, Supervisor Kevin Guinaugh questioned why township Secretary-Treasurer Cathy Schmidt was given $7,500 to opt out of township hospitalization insurance. He pointed out that the township's union employees receive nothing or only a $500 payment. Galizia and Supervisor Pat Angiolelli said that Schmidt's action saved the township $7,500 because the cost of one year's insurance is $15,000.
Former supervisor Clair Damon also questioned why the $12,000 estimated cost for the township's spring cleanup, which is in progress, was not bid out because it is over the $10,000 limit. Galizia said the township is using a $9,816 credit it had with Waste Management to pay for the job.
And Galizia announced that some streets in the area of Union Area High School will be closed Saturday when Scotland Meadows Park will be the site of National Qualifiers for the Soap Box Derby.