North Buffalo Officials Plan for Maintenance Upgrades, Litigation
North Buffalo Township Roadmaster Clark Whiteman recommended continued search for new equipment after gasoline spewing from the township bucket truck (KP File Photo).
by Jonathan Weaver
With cold and snowy weather forecasted throughout the next few months, North Buffalo Township supervisors want to make sure their equipment is in top shape to keep local residents safe.
Even if that means replacing it.
After reporting that the pump gearbox broke on the Township dump truck and the bucket truck spews gasoline, Roadmaster Clark Whiteman recommended upgrading equipment.
“I believe all three of us (supervisors) have been out on various times, looking at equipment and trucks,” Whiteman said. “I’ve spent countless hours at home on the Internet looking for things that are decent, and we’re going to continue looking into those.
“As we all know, our equipment is way outdated. I feel it’s time we start upgrading some of this stuff. We know that the stuff’s not cheap, but we want to make sure we purchase something that will be reliable and we don’t have to put a bunch of money into afterwards – that we make the right decision on these purchases.”
During the month, mechanics serviced a few trucks, including a 1995 International and others for leaks, and replaced five garage doors – which were about 25 years old.
Still, Whiteman said road workers “did an excellent job” during a weekend snow/ice weekend earlier this month.
In other news, Supervisor Chair David Wolfe reported of pending litigation.
“We have been served a lawsuit by Worthington Borough and West Franklin (Township),” Wolfe said. “They are suing us for workers’ compensation for the fire department.
“We’re going to be prepared to file suit and defend the suit that’s against us.”
In July, Worthington-West Franklin Fire Association volunteer firefighters argued with North Buffalo Township supervisors that volunteers needed to continue receiving nearly $2,500 in workers’ compensation.
However, North Buffalo’s position was there was no written agreement to issue the federal funds, and the municipality did not have enough money to fairly distribute the money.
A two-and-a-half hour meeting was held with both entities and Borough officials in August but was reportedly “not very productive.”
Attorney Chuck Pascal will be retained by North Buffalo Township as counsel at the rate of $90 per hour plus expenses.
Local News | jweaver December 29, 2016
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By jorn jensen, December 29, 2016 @ 9:16 AM
“gasoline spewing from the township bucket truck” - ummm, that’s called maintenance. Fix it. You don’t need new, new, new all the time. New will break also.
Take a look at Manor Township - a well-managed township - they maintain and repair their stuff and only buy new when they have to.
If you’re spending your own money, it’s one way - if you’re spending someone else’s money, it’s another way.
West Franklin Twp has $500k in the bank - some good gas income and such - can’t get roads fixed, but now they’re buying one of those plastic farm tents for the front yard at the township building property. $200k. What is the ROI? None. The justification is safety and convenience for the roadmaster. What? The vote was unanimous by the 3 supervisors. So that the roadmaster doesn’t have to break up frozen clumps of anti-skid at 3 AM on a cold winter’s night, he’ll now have nice, comfortable anti-skid in a circus tent. Other townships cover their anti-skid with tarps and old truck tires and work their way in from one end. Wait till you see that ugly thing in the front yard of the township property and wonder, “What the heck is that and why is it there?” Go to a township meeting and be amazed. This didn’t make it into any newspapers.