Bradford Township residents have a little more time to pay their municipal taxes.
Bradford Township supervisors approved a resolution on at Monday’s meeting giving them until Aug. 31 to pay their property tax and per capita tax without penalty. Residents must still pay the face rate.
The change was made under Pennsylvania’s Act 15 of 2020, which addresses local government issues during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Monday’s meeting — the first township meeting held since stay-at-home orders were instituted in March in Pennsylvania — was held at the municipal building with a limit on how many residents could attend in order to maintain a safe distance between attendees.
In other news, Police Chief Robert Shipman said that Bradford Regional Medical Center has offered to do antibody testing on officers to determine if they have antibodies to fight COVID-19.
The testing is voluntary and will be offered to five full-time officers and one part-time officer. Part-time officers who work full-time for another department will have to go through those departments.
As the cost would be $15 per test, supervisors passed a motion to pay for the test.
“Anything to protect our police officers,” said Supervisor Chairman Jim Erwin.
Supervisor Mark Cline asked that motorists drive cautiously on West Corydon Street and Crookerhouse and Lang Maid lanes while construction crews are installing the redundant water transmission line. He noted that police have been monitoring the area, too.
Crews will be opening and closing Crookerhouse Lane this week while construction vehicles cross the street. Cline suggested it might be easier for Crookerhouse Lane residents to use Lang Maid Lane when traveling home.
Also talking about the police department, Fire Chief Dan Burkhouse brought up that this week is National Police Week.
“Bradford Township has an outstanding police department,” said Burkhouse. He explained that officers are doing a good job in the current situation, but added that even in normal times, “Those guys are out there doing a good job for us.”
Erwin said, “We appreciate everything you guys do.”
Also at the meeting, supervisors approved a planned project by Bradford Manor to build a therapy addition. The approval was based on a recommendation by the planning commission.
Supervisors approved, two to one, to accept bids from IA Construction Corp. for road materials.
Supervisor Steve Mascho voted no, as Glenn O. Hawbaker Inc. submitted a lower bid for one of the five road materials. However, Erwin and Cline felt that, since they will have to travel farther to pick up that product, the cost will even out.
All three supervisors voted in favor of awarding projects on Erickson and Fuller roads to Hawbaker, which submitted the lowest bid of $57,956.
They approved bids made through the municipal website to purchase two pieces of equipment from the township. All three approved the sale of a 2011 Dodge Charger for $4,500.
However, only two approved the sale of a grader for $3,500. Mascho voted no. For one, he said Bob Cummins called to offer $4,001 for the grader. Also, he felt the township could still use the grader and was unhappy when they bought a different piece of equipment instead.
Secretary/Treasurer Susan Gibiser explained that the bidders were instructed to make their offers through the website, and bidders had until April 3 to participate. Cummins first reached out to Gibiser about his offer on April 13.
“Legally, you cannot accept (Cummins’) offer,” she said.
Cline agreed, saying, “I understand saving money, but you can’t break the law to save that.”
During public discussion, Dave Geitner wondered about the new fire hydrants being added as part of the water line project. He wondered if the township could charge fees for access to the right of way.
Erwin said they would have to ask a lawyer and noted that the Bradford City Water Authority gave the township a two-year deal on fire hydrant fees.
Gibiser said that resident Bob Burrell had contacted her with a couple of items to bring up at the meeting.
First, he wondered if the township had received an update on any possible grants for the East Warren Road Bridge project; Gibiser said she does not have an update yet.
Also, Burrell said there are still pedestrians crossing the West Warren Road grade and suggested they need more signs.
Shipman passed along a concern from resident Rocco Camas. Camas said a logging crew left stumps and other unsightly items on Songbird Road.
Erwin said he doesn’t think they can “make someone clean up their own property,” but he noted they will probably do some work when the weather dries.
Camas is also not happy with the conditions of the roadway coming down Route 770 West, and he wishes they could keep trucks from using that road.
The next supervisors meeting will be held at 7 p.m. June 8 with limits on attendance.
