West Penn supervisors debate road safety

West Penn Township wants to keep its roads safe, but not at the risk of preventing new businesses from coming into the township.

Supervisors on Monday discussed a recommendation from the township’s planning commission that it set up a fund for new businesses coming into the area.

The new businesses would have to pay a fee which would go toward traffic safety, traffic signal or repair to township roads.

However, board solicitor Paul J. Datte said a separate ordinance would need to be created.

Board Chairman Tony Prudenti said he didn’t want to make it harder for businesses to come into the township.

“I’d rather look into a developer’s agreement,” Prudenti said. “I think the idea would be for some kind of lighting instead of a traffic light.”

Prudenti said the Route 309/895 intersection has been an issue.

“That whole intersection is a problem, and it has been for a while,” he said.

Prudenti said he doesn’t believe setting up a fee for each business that comes into the township is the way to go.

“To impose it on every business coming into the township, I’m against it,” he said. “My problem is we should be looking at less government, not more government.”

Supervisor Tim Houser said it’s an issue the township has had to deal with.

“These are two state highways that they dropped into our lap,” Houser said. “It’s a public safety issue.”

The board did not take any action on the planning commission’s recommendation.

Also on Monday, supervisors agreed to purchase a new truck and dump trailer for the township’s road department.

The estimated cost of the truck is $45,000, while the estimated cost of the trailer is $5,800.