Photo by Greg Reedy
Jones Township Supervisor Jim Elinski speaks to those in attendance at the Jones Township supervisors meeting.

By Greg Reedy

Record Sports Editor

WILCOX – The Jones Township supervisors discussed various issues including safety and bridgework Monday night at the Jones Township Community Center.
The supervisors went further into discussion on a bridge on Horner Road. A suggestion was made to the supervisors and they suggest building a stub abutment behind the east abutment and also to build a new wider and longer superstructure. The estimated cost of this proposed project would be at $53.417. The supervisors said this item will be on the agenda for the December meeting.
The supervisors said Tom Roberts had an issue regards Mefferts Run Road. According to the agenda, the road crew has installed a swale of sorts along his property which should direct most of the water along his property and into the drainage area past his garage.
Markosky Engineering Group, Inc. sent correspondence with regards to a pair of bridges to the supervisors. The Twin Lakes Road bridge requires signage. The Ketner Road bridge was inspected and Markosky recommends closure of the bridge. Supervisor Laurie Storrar and Roadmaster Harry Markert have been working E & M to keep this bridge open. The supervisors said E & M are working on an hourly basis and put together quotes for new beams and decking. The estimated cost is $20,000-$30,000. A 30-day emergency permit has already been obtained from DEP.
“It looks there are six camps there but one of them looked like it could be a home,” Elinski said. “That also looks like the only way for access back there. We want to avoid closing that bridge.”
Lou Jordan spoke of the high speeds on Horner Road. Jordan said the road is “a dangerous road” and wants to see the speed reduced on the road. The current speed limit on Horner Road is 55. Storrar said a study would have to be conducted and an ordinance approved before anything could be done about the speed limit.
The supervisors responded to a request from Mary Lazzo and did clean out the ditch behind her home. National Fuel had written the supervisors to see if they had any pipeline replacement projects  coming up in the coming year and had requested a list. The supervisors said there were no projects which were applicable.
The supervisors are planning to advertise meeting for the 2010 budget.
Jodi Foster from Elk County Planning presented the Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan for Elk County. The supervisors adopted Resoultion No. 2009-07, which adopts the plan for Jones Township. This will make sure the township will be eliglible for FEMA funds for projects.
The supervisors announced that in 2010, PHEAA will no longer reimburse for jobs which are predominantly general labor or maintenance or those that fall under the project assistant job classifications. The Stackpole-Hall Foundation requests notification by December 1 as to whether Jones Township will participate in next year’s program. Jones Township supervisor Jim Elinski said the Summer Jobs Program, in existence for 25 years, has increased jobs from 58 to 134 and the amount of money put out by the foundation in 1985 was $23,960. In 2009, that number was $210,621.
United States senator Arlen Specter had written the supervisors in support of House Bill 3007. The supervisors said the bill looks like it will not even be put up to a vote.
Ridgway’s Main Street Manager, Michelle Bogacki, wrote to the supervisors about a community visioning process for Elk County. Elinski said this was a worthwhile idea and felt good that people were out doing good in the area. The Pennsylvania DEP wrote with its approval of PGE’s Water Management Plan which was submitted on Sept. 8.
Pretak Subdivision had a request for a relocation of one new single-family residential building lot and a non-building waiver for a side lot addition of 0.26 acres approved.
Elinski said yard sale items are being accepted as well as printer and fax cartridges. He also said the supervisors have not received a response from a letter dated Sept. 23 to the Pennsylvania DEP.
Markert had a request granted to consider purchasing 450 additional tons of DSA material. They can get the material for the same price as what the spring bid. The treasurer’s bond currently with H.A. Thomson for $400,000 was maintained.
There are currently two vacancies on the Jones Township Recreation Board.
In other notes:
n The supervisors encourage everyone to use goodsearch.com as a search engine. The Wilcox Public Library receives one penny for each search generated from goodsearch.
n The Cash Bash on October 24 benefited five Wilcox non-profit organizations and the Holiday Shopping Spree held Sunday to support the library were deemed as “big successes.”
n Leaf pickup is beginning and the supervisors remind everyone that leaves must be bagged and at the curb for pickup on Monday morning. They ask to not burn leaves in the township ditches.
n Elinski recognized the Wilcox Volunteer Fire Department and the Wilcox Public Library for the Halloween festivities. The annual parade, sponsored by the fire department was also listed as a success as was the elementary school Halloween bash.
n Elinski issued a reminder to not stack cases of bottles beside the recycling container. People are asked to place the bottles into the container. The cardboard box can go into the green recycling container and take the six-pack holders home to place in your regular garbage pickup. Elinski stressed to not put garbage and shopping bags into the plastics recycling, instead empty the recyclables into the container and take the garbage or shopping bags home with you.