Road work among topics in Antrim
Some roads in Antrim Township are being tarred and chipped and supervisors got a report on the progress and complaints at Tuesday’s meeting.
Also Tuesday night, the board voted in a new student representative, learned about proposed security measures at Martin’s Mill Bridge and got brief updates on two joint municipal measures.
On the road
Roadmaster Rodney Eberly said he’s heard the usual complaints as roads are being tarred and chipped, including one person who said, “I didn’t plan on living on a gravel road.”
Tar and chipping is done to maintain the longevity of the roads, he explained.
“Nobody likes it, I don’t like it, but it’s a necessary project,” Eberly said. However, “If you slow down for a week, you’ll forget we did it.”
In developments, including Greencastle Greens, Colonial Drive, Greenway and Hilltop, a fog coat or sealant is placed over the top after a machine, similar to an ice-grooming Zamboni, sweeps up the stones. On rural roads, the stones are pressed into the tar by vehicles or pushed to the side of the road.
Supervisor Pat Heraty asked about the durability of tarring and chipping vs. wholly redoing a road and replacing the asphalt.
Tarring and chipping lasts eight to 10 years, while the asphalt is expected to last 20, Eberly said. However, the cost differences are large.
Last year, the township paid about $1 million to redo the asphalt on a mile of Hollowell Church Road, while tarring, chipping and, in some places, sealing 17 miles of road cost $400,000.
Martin’s Mill Bridge
Eberly, also the township park director, told supervisors the committee is recommending a seven-camera security system from Spicer’s for Martin’s Mill Bridge. It would include a DVR, one camera capable of recording license plates and six other cameras. The cost for the equipment is $5,397.72.
The costs for running electric and getting Internet service at the bridge aren’t yet known and details about how the footage will be monitored will need to be worked out. Signs also will be placed informing people there are cameras around the bridge.
Supervisors did not take action Tuesday, but Supervisor Fred Young said, “This is going to happen.”
Eberly said eventually he would like to have cameras at all the parks, but the 1849 covered bridge is a priority because of its remote location, its history and the money that has been dedicated to its preservation.
Student rep
Greencastle-Antrim High School junior Jordan Manahan took another step in learning about politics and government by being appointed on a 5-0 vote to serve as the board’s student representative. He also is one of two student reps to the Greencastle-Antrim School Board.
Jordan, the son of Matthew and Lorilee Manahan, told supervisors he eventually would like to serve in Congress.
Joint issues
Brad Graham, township administrator, said the language of a joint resolution concerning truck traffic in downtown Greencastle is being worked out and hopefully it will be ready for the next meeting.
Asking the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to designate a truck route using U.S. 11 and Interstate 81 to reduce the number of tractor-trailers traveling through downtown Greencastle on Baltimore Street (Route 16) was discussed at a joint meeting of the supervisors, Greencastle Borough Council and the Greencastle-Antrim School Board on Sept. 14.
Graham also has said he has met with Greencastle Borough Manager Eden Ratliff and they talked about the parameters of a possible joint investigative committee to look into a merger of the two municipalities. The idea of exploring the pros and cons of a merger came out of a borough community development committee meeting earlier this month.