Ross Township to prepare park and roads for spring

Ross Township supervisors are preparing for spring weather and the increased usage of the park and playground.

At Monday’s meeting, they reviewed three proposals for lawn mowing services. They voted to stay with Washburn Lawn Service for $315 per mowing. The business is located within the township and has been mowing the property for years.

There were two stipulations upon Washburn’s hiring: that the lawn care person does not use weed killer and that he does not drive over the brick pavers on the memorial.

“We don’t want to spend all that money to build a memorial and then run over it with a mower,” Supervisor David Shay said.

Skid marks were seen on the pavers last year and had to be cleaned off.

Altemose & Son Lawn Care’s proposal was for $325 per mowing and Stiles Lawn Maintenance was for $425 per mowing.

During their discussion of the three proposals, Vice Chairwoman Tina Drake mentioned a help wanted ad for a township seeking a part-time seasonal maintenance worker for $10 per hour.

She asked the other supervisors if they could look into hiring a part-time seasonal maintenance person for next year, instead of hiring a lawn care service.

This person would mow, help with other building and grounds maintenance and minor things such as replacing light bulbs.

Shay voiced a concern about the cost of purchasing a lawn mower.

Chairman Howard Beers Jr. said that having proper liability insurance is another cost to factor in this decision.

“I think we should think about hiring a part-time grounds person in the future,” Drake said.

Shay agreed, noting that the supervisors should look at the budget and see if it is feasible.

Later, supervisors approved the purchase of 60 cubic yards of mulch for the playground, which costs $1,569. They will purchase it through the COSTARS program, which provides Pennsylvania’s local governments with cooperative purchasing opportunities to achieve cost savings and efficiencies.

The supervisors briefly discussed an idea Beers has for a concert in the park this spring or summer.

“I have a few bands in mind. The township would pay for it because it’s a township event for residents,” Beers said.

He said he would call these bands to inquire about their availability and cost.

Visitors to the township building will soon be able to see two prize-winning photos that Drake gifted during the meeting.

“My sister took these photos and framed them as a Christmas gift for me. They won prizes at the West End Fair,” Drake said.

Nellie Gordon, a Chestnuthill Township resident and amateur photographer, took a photo of the new building at sunset, and another photo of the grass growing in the park and skyline with fluffy clouds.

As soon as Gordon signs the photos, they will be hung for visitors to admire.

Some township roads will get a fresh coat of black topping and line striping this spring.

During Ethan Brewer’s road foreman’s report, supervisors reviewed a list of township roads that Brewer feels need black topping at this time.

These roads included those in Ruby Court and Chestnut Ridge Plantation developments, as well as Meadow Court, Hill Court, Franklin Avenue and Robin’s Court.

Supervisors voted to put bid out for black topping all the roads on the list. The bids will be reviewed at the May supervisors meeting, and from there the supervisors will pick and choose which roads to do to stay within budget. Presently, there is $288,000 is the liquid fuels fund that can be used for road repairs.

Supervisors do not have to bid out the line striping.