Croach Blvd. stays private

A former supervisor questioned Supervisor Eckert’s involvement in the proposed paving of a road.

BY MARY GRZEBIENIAK

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — A resolution to pave a road left unfinished by its developer died when lacking a second Thursday when Union Township supervisors met.

Supervisor Pat Angiolelli made the motion to advertise for bids for the paving of Croach Boulevard, located off Matilda Avenue. Supervisor Clair Damon remained silent, as did Supervisor Robert Eckert, who said after the meeting he had planned to abstain on any motion regarding the road because he lives near it.

Former Township Supervisor and Secretary Sally Byler attended the meeting and questioned why paving the road was even discussed when no other township roads will be paved this year. She asked whether it is because Eckert had some involvement with the land in the development.

Eckert denied the effort to ordain the road has anything to do with him. He said he originally owned the property and subdivided it into four lots, planning to build his house on it. But before he did anything to the property, Eckert said township resident William Croach approached him with a plan for a 15-lot development with grinder pumps. Croach bought the land from Eckert and developed it. Eckert built instead on an eight-acre piece of land near the development. “We were not partners; he bought the property,” Eckert said.

Byler asked why Eckert paid for a retention pond on the property after he sold it to Croach. Eckert replied he loaned Croach the money for the retention pond. Eckert said after the meeting he can access his home both by a private lane and by Croach Boulevard.

Angiolelli said he will try to find another solution to the problem on Croach Boulevard, which has no topcoat and cannot be maintained by the township unless it is ordained. He said he does not believe the residents should suffer because the developer, Croach, does not have the money to finish it. Residents of the approximately 12 homes on the road have been complaining to supervisors about the state of the road.

Angiolelli said he had initially opposed improving the road but changed his mind after he learned the road was built before the township established a developer’s agreement that sets out road standards.

Also Thursday, supervisors said prospects are bleak for the township to be able to buy enough salt for the winter. A shortage of salt has driven prices up to three times last year’s price. Union had been buying salt through the Lawrence County Council of Governments, which asked for bids this year but received only a $145-per-ton bid from Cargill Co. in Ohio, compared to last year’s $40 per ton cost. This would increase Union’s cost from $47,000 to $145,000 for the winter, a cost supervisors say they cannot afford.

Angiolelli said the state Legislature may take some action to ease the situation. However, the township is looking into using salt brine and also mixing a greater proportion of anti-skid with the salt. They have some salt stockpiled, but it is not enough for the whole winter.

Supervisors also set trick-or-treat for 6 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30.

They announced letters have been sent to three properties that have violated the weed ordinance. The letters are part of a process that allows the township to place a lien on the property to pay for the cost of mowing and filing the action.