Greenfield Township Accepts Ownership of Stormwater Management System

By MICHAEL SELL

Correspondent

The Greenfield Township Board of Supervisors moved to accept right-of-way ownership of a stormwater management system near a Blair County-owned bridge along the township’s Evergreen Road at their regular meeting Nov. 5.

The structurally deficient bridge, which spans South Poplar Run, is scheduled for replacement next summer and will include a new stormwater management system.

The location of the proposed system is currently on private property. The county plans to turn over ownership and maintenance of the system to the township, after construction is complete. The county will retain ownership of the bridge.

PennDOT is in the process of completing right-of-way documents on behalf of the county. The paperwork is being completed in the township’s name. If the township had decided not to cooperate with the project, the timeline for bidding and construction would have needed to be revised, officials stated.

Township supervisors did not immediately agree to the proposal due to concerns that water runoff from upstream sources was not addressed by the project and could negatively affect the new infrastructure. With a staff of two, finding time for potential maintenance could be an issue, Matt Treon, board chairman, said.

To ease the township’s concerns, the project engineer adjusted the size of piping near the bridge from 18 to 27 inches, which would allow additional water to flow through the system and reduce potential impacts.

County officials said upstream drainage was beyond the project’s scope of work, but did suggest the township consider pursuing grant opportunities to support making upgrades in other areas.

Treon expressed displeasure with the process, stating that there was a large amount of “miscommunication,” but ultimately joined the township’s two other supervisors in voting to move forward.

The county is also pursuing a grant to make improvements to existing blacktop, sidewalk, curbing, drainage, and green space along County Road No. 101, Bedford Street, in the area of the community library, park and post office, according to a county official.

Supervisors moved to purchase a new computer server from Aerial Communications that will allow police department and township files to be stored separately. The board also reviewed other security upgrades that could be made to the municipal building.

At a special meeting on Oct. 29, supervisors approved the hiring of Daniel Eastep as a full-time probationary officer for the township police department.

In addition, Clint Rosentrater was approved as a part-time highway maintenance laborer.