Meeting roundup
• Date: Oct. 14
• Action: While the initial mineral extraction ordinance was met with numerous residents’ comments in Peters Township, an amendment to the original ordinance regulating drilling for natural gas passed without comment.The amendment deals with seismic testing and modifications to comply with state laws, such as eliminating the township’s original restriction to require only electric-powered compressors. The state law permits diesel-powered compressors.
Council members, minus Michael McCaig and Monica Merrell, unanimously approved an amendment to the 2013 budget for about $100,00 in funds to pay higher insurance costs and for projects anticipated for completion in the 2012 budget that were not finished until 2013, said Michael Silvestri, township manager. The township has $896,000 in reserve funds to pay for unanticipated costs.
After approving two requests by township nonprofits to place banners on the Arrowhead Trail Bridge over East McMurray Road, council unanimously approved a new draft policy stipulating what organizations may place banners on the bridge to advertise upcoming events. No businesses or other nonprofits may request placement, and no more than one banner at a time may appear on the bridge.
Council members discussed the effectiveness of using speed humps on township roads where residents feel traffic is speeding. The ordinance permits property owners to decide, including the most recent request on Maple Lane. Seventy-seven of 119 property owners voted, with 63 percent of those requesting a type of traffic calming. Council voted to install two speed humps and the addition of a three-way stop sign at the intersection of Julrich Drive and Maple Lane.
Council president Frank Arcuri said he would like to see another solution to the issue of speeding as installing speed humps is expensive for the township. Councilman David Ball said each speed hump costs about $3,000.
“We have to change the policy,” Arcuri said. “We are going to be known as the township of speed humps. You can’t regulate everything.”
After approving the Maple Lane request, council voted to accept a petition by the required number of residents on Doubletree Drive to have a traffic calming study. As the petition contained the required number of signatures under the current policy, council voted to conduct the study. Arcuri told Silvestri he would like information on the number of accidents and citations in the area before the study is completed.
• Next meeting: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at the municipal building