SANDY TWP. – The Sandy Township Police Department will soon be fully-staffed. At Monday’s Board of Supervisors meeting, it was made known that the township is ready to hire Officer Caesar Maruca.
Supervisor Barry Abbott also reported that public hearings have been scheduled to discuss the proposed rate increases for Aqua Pennsylvania water customers. Aqua PA recently requested an annual rate hike of more than $126-million for its water and wastewater services, affecting many customers in Treasure Lake and the township. Abbott said a phone hearing will be held on August 14th from 1 to 6 pm.
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Notes from the August 5th Sandy Township Board of Supervisors meeting:
There was a public hearing about discussion about allocating Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, particularly focusing on repaying the Section 108 loan and considering potential new projects. Here’s a summary of the key points:
- Loan Repayment Obligation:
- You need to spend a minimum of $108,000 of CDBG funds on repaying the Section 108 loan.
- The remaining funds could potentially be used to support other projects if there is sufficient interest and eligibility.
- Project Eligibility:
- New projects must benefit low-to-moderate-income individuals.
- Specific projects, like the Platt Road project, involved determining eligibility through home surveys.
- Demolition Funding:
- You have $45,000 from previous fiscal years allocated for demolition activities.
- There is a need to identify and meet certain criteria for demolition projects, such as enforcement history and size of the structure.
- Discussion and Concerns:
- There’s concern about whether the remaining funds will be enough for additional demolition projects.
- Repaying the loan faster is not currently feasible due to project and funding constraints
The township is set to hire Caesar Maruca as a new police officer, filling a vacancy left by a former officer let go in March. Maruca was a top candidate from the hiring process. This move will restore full staffing levels in the department, ensuring continued service to the community
Resolution 11-2024 authorizes the Clearfield County Redevelopment Authority to apply for a $500,000 HOME Program grant to assist low-income homeowners in Sandy Township and the City of DuBois with essential repairs. The grant, approved by DuBois and managed by the Clearfield Redevelopment Authority, will fund repairs such as roofing, plumbing, and HVAC. The authority will oversee the distribution of funds and handle applications, with no cost to the township or city. Unspent funds can be carried over to future years.
Supervisor, Barry Abbott reported that Aqua Pennsylvania is requesting a $126.7 million annual rate increase for water and wastewater services, affecting many customers. Public hearings are scheduled to discuss this proposed hike, including one via telephone on August 14th from 1 to 6 p.m. Residents of Treasure Lake and Sandy Township are encouraged to participate and voice their opposition. Mr. Arbaugh suggested that Sandy Township’s legal counsel advises against giving testimony due to ongoing litigation, listening to the proceedings is still permitted. This is a crucial opportunity for residents to address concerns about the impact of the rate increase.
Resolution 12-2024 addresses the need for a $15,000 budget transfer to cover increased police overtime and DUI task force expenditures. The police department has exceeded its overtime budget due to filling a vacant position and extensive work with the DUI task force. Challenges include handling significant cases and managing overtime for transport duties related to court appearances. Although reimbursements are expected, they do not fully offset the increased costs. The resolution seeks to address these financial shortfalls to ensure continued effective operations.
Next week marks the start of the Maple Avenue sidewalk project, with construction signs going up by the end of the week and beginning work on Monday or Tuesday. Additionally, preparations are underway for the Green Light Go project at Maple and Shaffer, with a meeting scheduled this week to finalize utility placements and ensure a smooth start.
Chief Chris Kruzelak thanked Sonya and Sunny 106 and the District Attorney’s office for their successful Unity Night at the city park last Friday. Sandy Township and DuBois City had a booth there, engaging with a great turnout and handing out items to kids. Chief Chris Kruzelak also highlighted that he was interviewed on the radio, adding to the event’s success.
