Photo by Heidi Zemach
Jones Township resident Jean Cooney and Pennsylvania State Police Sgt. Steve Daniel attended Monday’s meeting. Daniel spoke to the supervisors about any problems they are having pertaining to law enforcement.

By Heidi Zemach 

Special to The Ridgway Record

WILCOX – Jones Township Supervisors were introduced to new Pennsylvania State Police Sgt. Steve Daniel from the Ridgway barracks at its Monday meeting.
Daniel invited comments on any law enforcement concerns or trends that they may have noticed, explaining that he doesn’t want to see small problems snowball. While crimes are few during the winter, the supervisors they told Daniel that there had been some issues with paintballs around New Year. The ballpark dugout had been vandalized with spray paint and is often trashed during the spring or summer months. Last year, a rock was thrown into the ballpark’s parking lot light, breaking it, and someone also broke the Little League window. Young people – not of playground age – also tend to hang out together at the Wilcox Community Center playground, and at the Allegheny Substation, said Secretary/Supervisor Laurie Storrar.
Daniel said he would be sure to have his troopers check out these places for trouble from time to time.
The township received correspondence from E & M Engineers, urging their clients, such as Jones Township, to contact U.S. representatives and ask that the stimulus package provide funds directly to local governments, not just to states.
Storrar said the township has several shovel–ready projects that will be ready within 90 days to submit to the proper authorities. They include three bridges, including Horner Road and Twin Lakes, and also needed construction on the township maintenance building.
Supervisors voted to accept the subdivision of two lots owned by Pam and Jim Reiter. They also passed a motion to not renew the township’s tax-free KOZ zones, rather than extending them by another seven to 10 years. They agreed that the zoning concept did not work out as it did not result in any new development.
Storrar is considering applying  for several grants for projects she envisions, or which simply need additional funding. DCNR grant proposals are due in April, she said. The supervisors discussed acquiring bigger ballpark stands, blacktopping the parking area and purchasing security cameras. The township’s annual spring sale and its efforts to recycle faxes, printer cartridges and toner, will raise funds to purchase a scoreboard.
Another grant Storrar was authorized to apply for was from Elk County Planning Department’s Title III grants. She would like to see the Johnsonburg Area High School Voc/Ag program to team with Kane Lawn and Garden for an after–school or summer program to plant trees at the parks and community buildings and along Clarion Street once new sidewalks are installed.
A third grant, which is meant for creek watershed restoration, might enable the township to raise more funds for the three fishing peers it is planning to install along a new walking trail at the ballpark.
The supervisors also:
n Passed a resolution to participate in the state bulk road salt contract for Aug. 2009-July 2010.
n Resolved to file paperwork required by PennDOT in order to obtain Liquid Fuel taxes.
n Agreed to purchase 250 tons of additional anti–skid limestone from Bucktail Excavators, at $18 per ton, the lowest of four company quotes.
n Set the Spring Sale for April 18-19 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and from 9 a.m. to noon.
n Agreed to advertise for a new road department employee, as Tim Lechien, the township roadmaster, plans to retire in June. They expect many applicants, and may hire a professional consulting agency to help with the hire.
n Little League sign-ups will take place at Wilcox Library on Feb. 14 and 21 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The township hopes residents will recycle materials carefully as Elk County Solid Waste Authority is assessing a $100 charge for any load that has more than 10 percent of its materials contaminated. A plastic bag dropped in with the plastic bottles is considered to be contamination. Other items determined to be contamination are pizza boxes, because not only is it not corrugated cardboard, but because it has oil or cheese on it.