Takac talks with Curtin Twp. about fire co. support
Trending
MARSH CREEK -- State Representative Paul Takac, 82nd District, attended the Curtin Township Supervisors meeting earlier this week to help the township look into ways to fund two fire companies who are asking for financial help for updating their fire fighting apparatus.
In addition to community residents, Howard Fire Company President Bill Nearhoof and Beech Creek-Blanchard Fire Company President Daryl Geyer attended the board's April meeting.
Curtin Township Supervisor Rick Miller briefed Takac on the two fire companies requesting a one mil fire tax be levied on property owners, a request that the public taxpayers are imploring their elected officials to find alternative means of funding instead of adopting the fire tax.
During the township meeting held just days after a public meeting at the fire company's social hall, Geyer requested the supervisors be open to attending a meeting with the officials of Beech Creek Borough, and the supervisors of Beech Creek, Curtin and Liberty townships as a "brain-storming session."
Orviston is serviced primarily by the BC-B Fire Company while Howard Fire Company provides the primary fire protection coverage to the remaining portion of Curtin Township on the Marsh Creek side of Orviston Mountain.
Takac understood the dilemma the fire companies are facing, as well as the decisions the municipality officials are faced with and the opposition that taxpayers have to additional charges. He offered to check into pending legislation to see if a flat rate fee -- which many taxpayers feel is fairer -- could be added to tax bills.
He also mentioned the possibility of creating an authority, under the Municipality Authorities Act, and suggested the supervisors check with their solicitor to learn about the act.
Takac was granted the floor for several minutes and said "there are numerous grant opportunities for funding available for fire companies, townships and boroughs, and he and his staff are willing to assist with the process of applying for those grants."
Nearhoof also offered to have additional discussions with the Curtin Township Supervisors on the possibility of having a sub-station in the township similar to Howard Fire Company's substation located in Marion Township.
Currently, Curtin Township does not have a garage bay free to house an engine or tanker that would need to be kept heated in winter.
"But, we could add on if we could get some funding," remarked Miller.
Lengthy discussions would need to be had to determine the call volume in the township to warrant the placement of a substation, funding the additional expenses related to having a substation and whether volunteers living in the township would be willing to undergo the many hours of proper training required to respond to incidents.
Takac said he would be open to holding meetings for constituents at the township building to inform them of many benefits and programs that are available in the county for people to take advantage of.
His staff can help with providing information and help to navigate the application process for many benefits, he said.
Takac's staff can help with renewing car registrations (at reduced rates for elderly residents), unemployment benefits or problems, problems or complaints about PennDOT road conditions, Property Tax/Rent Rebate program, PACE cards for senior citizens and a lot more topics.
Takac's staff currently holds regular hours at the Howard United Methodist Church on Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
In other township news:
-- The township should be hearing the decision sometime around April 18 on whether it has been selected to receive Rural Broadband Internet services being implemented (or upgraded). The township secretary had completed paperwork and returned the requested information to Comcast, and now we wait to hear the decision.
Dependable, high speed Broadband Internet access in rural areas allows students to complete their homework and school related learning while also allowing residents to participate in economic and social life activities without having to travel long distances for basic services or opportunities enjoyed by urban and suburban residents.
-- The supervisors have not officially heard any response from DEP or PennDOT on the Marsh Creek stream clean-up. Trees, rocks and sediment have excessively built up in the stream bed that doesn't allow the creek to flow within its banks, especially during excessive rains. One such instance of the massive corrosion is near the Howard Divide intersection of the Marsh Creek Road where flood waters overflow onto the PennDOT roadways, eroding the berms, causing road closures and hampering the commuting motorists. Permits are required to dredge the streambed.
Curtin Township Supervisors hold their monthly meetings on the first Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the township building along the Orviston Mountain Road.