Antrim to consider weight limits on Coseytown Road

Once again, residents of Coseytown visited the Antrim Township Board of Supervisors, asking for some resolution to the noise and frequency of dump trucks dropping construction debris onto the lot of Dorothy Emmons, who is building up her back yard. A handful of citizens attended the Aug. 11 meeting and also complained about continued damage to Coseytown Road.

Township administrator Brad Graham said he had spoken to Franklin County Soil Conservation District, the Army Corps of Engineers and DEP. "All the criteria of the permit are being met," he said. "There wasn't anything they could do to help us out."

At the July 28 meeting supervisors had decided to get a traffic study done to possibly lower the weight limits for the road. Graham reported last Tuesday that he had received a less expensive bid than the $3,000 from Martin and Martin Engineering, but that lowering the limit could just mean more trucks with lighter loads.

Township solicitor John Lisko said municipal code allowed local deliveries, which the hauls were. Supervisors Curtis Myers, Fred Young III, Rick Baer and Samuel Miller told Graham to go ahead with the study by Arro Engineering of Hagerstown. Graham and a couple supervisors planned to meet with Charles E. Brake Co. to try to set up a good neighbor policy. Resident Charles Shahan asked for respect for the neighbors, a safety fence, slower truck speeds, and proof that all permits were valid and inspections were taking place.

Roadmaster Paul Minnich said his crew could continue to patch Coseytown Road, though "we are pushed for manpower and time." Graham said the road, originally scheduled to be repaved next year, would be postponed.

The board also revisited the weed ordinance issue brought up at the previous meeting. There was no support to enact one, and residents were encouraged to contact DEP with complaints.

With an escalator clause kicking in because of the increase in the price of asphalt, Graham asked if the supervisors wanted to spend $100,000 more on the 2009 road paving projects. They said yes.

In other business, the board appointed township auditor Bill Needy to the Earned Income Tax Collection Committee, representing Antrim Township on the new Franklin County committee. It also named Ami Myers alternate Sewage Enforcement Officer at the request of SEO Jonathan Piper. Following an hour and a half executive session on personnel, it authorized township secretary/treasurer Mary Klein to pay utility bills electronically.