MAR LIN - The Norwegian Township supervisors have an ally in their pursuit of a traffic light for routes 209 and 901 - Minersville Borough.
Helen Droskinis, president of Minersville Borough Council, sent a letter to the township supervisors, Barry J. Schoch, secretary of the state Department of Transportation, state Rep. Neal P. Goodman, D-123, and state Sen. David Argall, R-29, on March 14 outlining support for the light.
The letter states that the intersection is a main road of travel for borough residents. It also states the dangers because of the lack of a light.
"Route 901 is a four-lane highway with a speed limit of 55 mph. Because there is no traffic light, motorist(s) traveling west on Route 901 are forced to turn left onto Route 209 in the face of high-speed traffic. Even more dangerous are the motorists on Route 209 who are attempting to make a left-hand turn across four lanes of high-speed traffic," the letter states.
Minersville Mayor Joe Post said Monday he did not know of any correspondence from either state legislators or PennDOT. He did say the council has a work session today and there could be some information to share with the public.
"It's not a dead issue. The red light's back on the table," Supervisor Robert Kirwan said at the Norwegian Township meeting Monday.
He said efforts could be made again to contact legislators about the light. Kirwan said he has had no correspondence with PennDOT about the light since the township received a letter Feb. 22 stating a grant application for the red light was not approved.
Speaking with other businesses in the area is also something that could be done, supervisors said.
Supervisors have been trying to get a red light at the intersection because of the numerous accidents.
With the price tag for the light as much as $300,000, not including other costs, supervisors say they cannot afford to pay for the light alone.
The support of the borough means a lot to the township, the supervisors said, adding they did not ask the borough to write a letter.
In other news, the issues with fire hydrants at Kings Village Plaza are ongoing.
Supervisors said the hydrants are faulty and need to be replaced, and new connections are needed. The supervisors have been accommodating in an attempt to have the problem fixed, solicitor Eric Prock said.
"We want to see an end to a terrible possible tragedy," Kirwan said, in speaking of the possibility of a fire.
Supervisor Stanley Petchulis read a letter from Victor Bunick, manager of Kings Village Plaza, Minersville,
Among other things, the letter states that custom parts have been ordered and a "backup strategy" is being formed, without saying what that is. The letter states that there are four hydrants (one is owned by Branch Township) and there is water from a nearby stream.
The letter asks for the supervisors to have patience as the issue is being addressed.
Kirwan said he spoke with Bunick recently and gave him until April 15 to fix the issue.
Citing under the International Property Maintenance Code could result if a resolution is achieved, supervisors said.
"We need to get the hydrants fixed. Enough with the letters, enough with the talk," Kirwan said.
The township is in discussion for a possible future purchase of about 5 acres of residential property behind the township municipal building. Petchulis said the land could be used for future township use by other supervisors.