(5/25) Liberty Township supervisors are asking residents to look for dead trees. Supervisor Walter "Mickey" Barlow told the board during its May meeting that about nine trees along township roads fell in April. The township preventively removed an additional five dead trees.
"I do encourage the residents that if they see dead trees along the roadway that they feel will be a danger to residents and passersby, please contact us," Barlow said.
Barlow, who also serves as township roadmaster, said the governing body plans to upgrade Orchard Road from Route 16 to Tract Road. The improvements will include widening the road by two feet between Route 16 and Topper Road. The township approved advertising for bids for the project, which is estimated to cost between $150,000 and $200,000.
Barlow said Orchard Road is the only project the road crew is planning for this year. The township will reevaluate its plan once it determines how much the repair will cost.
The township also approved spending $3950 to upgrade the office’s air conditioning system.
Barlow said the existing unit is leaking Freon. Township staff attempted to fix the unit but realized they needed to hire specialty contractors. They approved a quote of $850 from B&M Heating and Air Conditioning.
The supervisors also approved paying B&M Heating and Air Conditioning $3,100 to install a second unit. Barlow said township employees prefer different temperatures, and frequent adjustments are overworking the system. Adding a second unit will give the police department control of one and the office staff control of the other.
"I hate to spend that money, but it is one way to get it right and be done with it," Vice Chairman Bobby Keilhotlz said.
Police Chief Terry DeWitt announced the department will host National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 5, from 5 to 8 at Mid Atlantic Soaring Association, 154 Pecher Road. The event is intended to build relationships between first responders and the community. Greenmount Community Fire Department is partnering with the department on the free event.
DeWitt said Police Officer Manager Jessica Ilko is seeking funding for National Night Out from Liberty, Freedom, and Hamiltonban Township. Supervisors tabled Ilko’s request until June because they prefer to know how much the other townships are contributing before they commit. Liberty Township contracts police services to Highland and Liberty.
