Township Considering Taking Over Private Roadway
Meadow Lane may become a North Buffalo Township-maintained road this year instead of a private drive.
by Jonathan Weaver
For more than 10 years, Meadow Lane in North Buffalo Township has been maintained by its homeowners.
Salt, snow removal, gravel – resident Diana Troup said a select-few residents did it all.
“Every other year, there are probably five of us that buy gravel. And in the winter time, Calvin Crissman, my husband Jeff and (another resident) get out their snow plows,” Troup said. “It’s a long lane.
But, that could soon end, much to the delight of Troup – who has lived along the roadway with her husband since 2002.
“We’re tired of paying for it and doing it.”
Last week, Troup presented a position of nearly 20 residents who approved of turning over the road – located off of Freeport Road near the Kittanning Country Club - to the township.
Crissman was one of the Meadow Lane residents that signed the petition.
“At some point, there are four snow blowers out there at one time,” Crissman said. “It’s lucky we all get along as good as we do.”
Township Supervisor Chair Dave Wolfe talked with residents about the roadway when he was campaigning for office last year.
“I told them ‘If I win (the General Election), I’ll help ya. If I lose, I’ll help ya,” Wolfe said. “Get a petition together and we’ll present it to the supervisors – and that’s what they’ve done.”
He said maintaining the road would enable township supervisors to receive more liquid fuel dollars.
“It’s not going to be a great amount, and probably it’s going to cost more to maintain in the first few years than what we’ll gather in liquid fuels, but I’m also looking at the broader picture of increasing the property values of the properties back there. That would significantly add value to those properties,” Wolfe said.
Township ordinances are in-place that would allow township to take back over the roadway, but PennDOT officials or the township engineer may be notified to inspect the road’s thickness and width.
“The turnaround for our trucks to maintain that road is a problem,” Wolfe said.
Supervisor Clark Whiteman said the road was supposed to intersect with nearby-Pine Tree Lane, but those plans were never complete so Meadow is a dead-end street.
Because of those problems, Wolfe suggested turning the road into a cul-de-sac so the township’s F-550 truck can drive back to Freeport Road without turning into somebody’s driveway. The road is already an estimated-28 feet wide.
“I think to add an exit on (Meadow Lane) would just be too much money,” Wolfe said.
Solicitor Ty Heller will also be consulted for input on the private road, but supervisors agreed to begin the process.
Supervisors also previously talked about making repairs to Crane Drive and Chechak Road.
Supervisors today will begin surveying all township roads this morning at 7AM.
Local News | jweaver January 25, 2016
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