Robinson Twp. mulls expansion of municipal building
Observer-Reporter
The Robinson Township municipal building
Robinson Township Supervisor Stephen Duran thanks residents after one of his vocal critics thanked him for his service following his last vote Monday as a supervisor.
Stephen Duran cast his last vote Monday as a Robinson Township supervisor, a dissent in a 2-1 passage of the $1.149 million budget that keeps real estate tax rates at 15 mills. His no vote, he said, was tied to $425,000 allocated for the potential expansion of the municipal building – a plan he outlined in a newsletter post last year called “Community Center Project Reborn.”
“The money there, I just think we should have a defined plan in place before we allocate that money. And it hasn’t been popular or mentioned in our surveys we’ve had out,” Duran said. Duran will be replaced by Mary G. Donaldson at a reorganization meeting Jan. 4 after she defeated him by just four votes in the November election.
“It’s only a budgeted amount. We don’t have to spend it, but it’s there if we need to move on it,” said Supervisor Rodger Kendall.
But township manager Erin Sakalik said the plan to expand the municipal building into a more viable community center is still on the horizon, so long as the incoming board of supervisors – including recently appointed supervisor Regis Curtis – directs her to act. The municipal building is so cramped, almost all meetings in 2015 were held in the McDonald Heritage Public Library.
“Last year, I reached out to architects and we’re seeing where we can go. We have a better chance of securing grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to help pay for this if we can prove plans that would have the building serving as a legitimate community space,” Sakalik said, “but Mr. Duran may have paused at the price, because just for parking lot space, grading – that’s a couple hundred thousand right there.”
Sakalik said the project is more likely to proceed if residents continue to respond to online polls and surveys posted to the township website, robinsonpa.gov. The latest poll is asking residents their thoughts on negotiating a new, local garbage contract after some complained of their bills skyrocketing by $100.
“But the response has been disappointing for most of the polls. For that, what I thought would be a great response, we’ve only had four respond,” Sakalik said.
“These polls are important to help set the agenda and priorities of the township, so more feedback would be appreciated,” she said.
A dual online and mail survey last year that was sent to 700 homes yielded just 22 responses. The respondents’ priorities of police protection, snow removal and township roads have, however, been acknowledged by board actions.
A new five-year police contract was inked, and Sakalik asked McDonald police Chief Mark Dorsey, whose department covers Robinson, to beef up patrols in the areas where respondents asked for better visibility. The newly ratified budget also details the $36,000 sale of a Peterbilt truck, salt loader and spreader as the township looks to upgrade equipment. And Duran also presented a final legacy plan to repair four roads following a $100,000 settlement from National Fuel and Associated Pipeline for damage caused to portions of Washington, Campbell, Valleyview and Sunnyhill roads.
“We’ve spent $10,000 (out of that settlement account), so I hope this plan for some double coats and single coats on certain roads can guide you with the cash that’s left,” Duran said.
Brenda Vance, of Steubenville Pike, said during public comment she didn’t always agree with Duran, but thanked him for his service.
“We haven’t always got along, but your work ethic is unquestioned,” Vance said to applause from residents.
“I’m really sorry to see Steve leave the board. He’s very knowledgable about roads and was one of the main factors in getting those repairs going. With that said, Mary Donaldson is very qualified and eager to get started working with Rodger and Curtis, so she will be an excellent addition to our township board of supervisors,” Sakalik said.