Butler tables motion to repair Beaver Dam Road bridge, hears concerns over timbering
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - An open-grate bridge carries Beaver Dam Road over the Little Mahanoy Creek in Butler Township, seen on Sept. 21, 2023.
FOUNTAIN SPRINGS – Butler Township Supervisors tabled a motion to repair an open grate bridge in the township and heard concerns over timbering near the Barry Township line.
The township received a nearly $21,000 quote to replace the open grate decking on a bridge over the Little Mahanoy Creek on Beaver Dam Road and to clean and paint the deteriorated ends of beams.
Dave Kessler, supervisors chairman, said at Wednesday’s meeting that he is concerned that the bridge will need to be replaced in two years, repaired or not.
“I don’t feel it’s in our best interest to spend $21,000 and, in two years, have to replace the bridge,” Kessler said. “There’s some things that can be done with it to keep the weight limit where it is and to extend the life of the bridge, and when we come to the harsh realization that it has to be fixed, we’ll be $21,000 ahead.”
Kessler said the matter would be tabled until the matter could be discussed with the township’s engineering firm, ARRO.
In other business, the township heard from Miriam Thomas seeking an update on timbering complaints on Airport Road near the Barry Township line west of Gordon.
“I was wondering if anything has been done since our last meeting,” Thomas asked.
Solicitor Chris Riedlinger said that, to his knowledge, no timbering activity has started in Butler Township and no permit has been sought.
“We’re not going to make any final decisions until something is actually before us, and nothing is before us right now,” Riedlinger said regarding permitting.
“So we’ll just have to wait until he applies,” Thomas said.
“Or starts timbering without applying,” Riedlinger said.
In other business, the township approved:
- The 2024 minimum municipal obligations for pension plans:
- $69,297 for Police
- $14,307 for Non-Uniform;
- Tentatively approved the private sale of a lot in Woodland Heights to Rutherford Xavier Nolasco Cruz, pending a code inspection;
- A resolution as part of the township Act 537 plan from Entech Engineering, for the Butler Township Municipal Authority “transferring everything to” the Schuylkill County Municipal Authority.
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