TREVORTON - A new piece of heavy machinery will be coming to Zerbe Township, thanks in part to the construction of its new sewage treatment plant.
Supervisors voted Monday evening to purchase a new skid loader for $65,000 from the state's COSTARS cooperative purchasing program. Funds to purchase the one-man piece of equipment will come from the $4 million in grants and loans the township received in 2013 from the PENNVEST program to construct a new sewage treatment plant.
Engineer Matthew Ray from William Hill and Associates, the company overseeing the plant's construction, reported Monday work has begun and things are moving along.
"We were in a situation with the sub-base, with a slight issue we anticipated, but we have it under control," Ray said. "Other than that, things are moving along."
The board also heard from Dennis Felty, recording secretary of the Anthracite Trail Riders organization. Felty spoke about an April 26 trail ride at the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA) with its proceeds benefiting first responders in Coal Township, Shamokin and Zerbe Township.
Paying for emergency responders at the AOAA has been an area of concern among some municipal leaders.
"We are asking for your support for this ride in order to help you," Felty said. "I anticipate this becoming an annual event."
The board approved allowing the Trevorton Ambulance and Fire Department to be available for the event, with supervisors Mike Schwartz, Gene Geise and Mike Mazer voting yes. Geise is president of the Trevorton Ambulance Association while Schwartz serves on the board of the AOAA.
In other business
- The Zerbe Township Recreation Committee was given permission to use the township 501(c)3 tax ID number for non-profit status to apply for a grant from the Degenstein Foundation.
- A number of requests were approved for Line Mountain Elementary School. Permission was granted for the school to use the recreation area Monday, May 12, for a vehicular career day with a township vehicle and worker on hand for a presentation and to use the Foundry field for a end-of-year picnic Friday, May 30, and for another event May 8 with police presence and the bathrooms open. The school also has permission to use the Foundry parking lot April 23, 24 and 25, as a staging area for grandparents to park their vehicles and then be bused to the school. All motions at Monday's meeting were approved on a 3-0 vote.
- Supervisors announced spring cleanup in the township will be held from Monday, May 12, to Friday, May 23. Residents are allowed to have one payloader bucket of yard debris picked up by township workers, provided the debris is placed curbside.
- Recycling trailers will be open for dropoffs Tuesdays and Thursdays, starting April 22, and on the first and third Saturdays of the month. Those dropping off materials must use the rear gate and they must be walked into the area.