Bradford Township held both its annual re-organizational meeting and its regular meeting Monday.
Jim Erwin will remain supervisor chairman, while Supervisor Mark Cline will serve as vice-chairman. Supervisor Steve Mascho abstained from both votes.
Meetings will continue to be held at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of each month in 2021, with the exception of November, when it will be held the third Monday of the month, Nov. 15.
The budget for 2021 was approved during the re-organizational meeting as well.
The resignation of Robert Burrell as township auditor was accepted. Township resident Dave Geitner, who submitted a letter of interest, was appointed to serve the rest of Burrell’s two-year term, which will be up at the end of 2021.
During the township’s regular meeting, supervisors approved a resolution to adopt the Federal Department of Transportation’s drug testing for all CDL drivers. They also approved a three-year agreement with the City Ambulance Service for 2021-23. The agreement for 2021 is at the rate of $26,667, an increase of 20% over 2020, according to Erwin. The rate increases 15% for 2022 and 10% for 2023.
Mascho voted no, noting the cost for the three-year agreement seemed high. Erwin and Cline stated the intent to negotiate with the city.
Burrell observed that he was told by McKean County Commissioners that in the coming months, Bradford Regional Medical Center will become an urgent care center, which will mean residents will need to be transported elsewhere for care. This will be a concern for those who do not have their own transportation available to travel to a hospital in Olean, N.Y., or Erie.
“That’s a terrible shame,” noted Mascho. “We have a great facility up there, and to see the way it’s going, I never thought we’d see that.”
Three zoning permits were issued during the month of December, which brings the township’s total to 51 for the year. There were two zoning violations, one of which resulted in the resident applying for a permit and the other resulted in a cease of construction.
Zoning officer Mike Salerno noted that of the 51 permits for the year, roughly 20% were applied for after the fact. Township residents are advised to consult the township or the township website prior to starting a construction project, as it may save them money.
Next month’s meeting, which will be held on Feb. 8, will have a maximum attendance of 10 people, which will include seven board and staff and three residents.
