Board OKs bid specs for ballfield project
TOWAMENCIN — A new township auditor has been appointed, and bid specifications have been released for work on a township ballfield.
Those were among the items approved by the township’s supervisors Wednesday night, according to township Manager Rob Ford.
According to Ford, the board directed that bid specifications be released for the addition of a backstop and fencing at Butch Clemens Park, with the goal of having installation done by the time the spring 2014 baseball season starts.
“The total estimated cost for the project is $39,850; this includes the backstop, infield, and outfield foul line fencing,” Ford said. The board voted Wednesday to release bid specifications to get cost proposals for firms interested in doing the work, and if costs come in higher than expected the township will look into adjusting the plans, according to Ford.
In another sign that spring is near, the board tabled an updated field use agreement with the Towamencin Youth Association that spells out terms for using township ballfields; the proposed field use amendment was missing information, and a full version will be on the board’s agenda for approval on March 12.
The board also welcomed resident Joseph Whitelock to serve as township auditor, to replace predecessor Laura Smith who was elected to the board of supervisors. Whitelock took the oath for his position Wednesday and his term in that role will run through Jan. 5, 2016. Smith also earned a new title Wednesday, appointed as the board’s assistant treasurer, and supervisor Jim Sinz was named board assistant secretary for 2014. One other appointment was also approved: resident Paul Kukk was appointed to the board’s Innovation and Technology committee.
Reports to the board were presented by the township engineer on Towamencin’s stormwater pollutant permit issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection; from the Finance committee on revenues and expenditures; and from the sanitary sewer engineer on the potential replacement of sewers in the Inglewood area of the township.
Staff also announced that Lower Salford Township has reached a settlement to ongoing litigation that will result in the construction of a digital billboard on Wambold Road adjacent to the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Lower Salford will hold a public hearing on that proposed settlement at 7:30 p.m. on March 5 at Lower Salford’s Township building, 379 Main Street, and Towamencin posted notice of that hearing on its website and TV channel, according to Ford.