Apr 14, 2018 3 min read

South Strabane Township Community Park will be getting another pavilion this spring.

During a Tuesday meeting, township supervisors accepted a proposal from Jeffrey Associates to construct a pavilion for $12,449, which was donated in December by the Keisling family.

Jack Keisling, who had been a township supervisor for six years before losing his seat in last year’s election, said his family donated the pavilion in honor of his son, John Keisling, 58, who died from multiple sclerosis in July.

“It’s been a really difficult time,” Jack Keisling said. “He had MS for over 20 years and complications from that is what took him from us. He enjoyed his rides through the park in his wheelchair, and I just thought that, having been a supervisor here for six years, the pavilion would be appropriate.”

Keisling said he’s hoping the pavilion will be completed in May.

In other action Tuesday, the supervisors approved a restaurant liquor license transfer for the Speedway convenience store, at 37 Strabane Drive, following a public hearing.

An attorney representing Speedway, Greg Szallar, said that the store will be remodeled, contingent upon the liquor permit. He said the remodel will include a restaurant area large enough to seat 30 people, a kitchen with menus and servers, and the option for onsite beer consumption. Szallar said the maximum amount of onsite consumption will be 24 ounces, and it can be ordered only with a meal. People will also be able to purchase six-packs of beer and bottles of wine in the store area of the Speedway.

After extensive questioning on the responsibilities of serving alcohol, state liquor laws and parking at the location, the supervisors unanimously approved the license transfer resolution. The company will still need to get clearance for the license from the state and will have to submit a remodeling plan to the township and obtain any necessary building permits.

The supervisors also accepted a $1,961 check that Washington County District Attorney Gene Vittone presented to the township police department. Police Chief Drew Hilk said the check is for drug money that had been seized by the department in relation to drug activity and arrests. The money and “assets are then forfeited through the courts,” Hilk said.

Vittone said he tries to get that money back to the police departments.

“They can use that money for equipment related to drug enforcement,” he said. “I think I’ve given more money to South Strabane than any other department. So, your police department is to be commended for that.”