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Sheffield Life

School Board Candidate from Sheffield Township

Jeff Labesky, a resident of Sheffield Township, has announced his candidacy for Region II school board director of the Warren County School District. He is cross filing on the democratic/republican ticket.

Sheffield Township

The Sheffield Township supervisors met on Monday, Feb. 6, for their regularly scheduled bi-monthly meeting with only one guest present.

Kevin Bell, chief of the Sheffield Volunteer Fire Department, asked who is responsible for hydrant clean-up in the spring. He stated that the one out behind the high school and the one by the Mill Pond are both in need of cleaning up. Roadmaster Thayer stated that the one out back of the high school would be the responsibility of the Municipal Authority because they are the ones that installed it and the dry hydrant at fire hall is the responsibility of the contractor, and he will speak to the contractor and ask them to haul some gravel in to fix it.

Bell also stated that the hydrant at the corner of Main Street and Willow Street has a catch basin that needs a grate over it or something. If its dark and another fire department is called and is not familiar with the area, they could wind up in the catch basin. It’s very dangerous.

Bell also reported that the dry hydrants behind the fire hall made it through the flood. Although the one across from the Citco needs the bank built up again as a lot of the stone was washed down the stream.

Chief Bell reported that in 2016 there were 199 fire calls and 296 EMS calls, and they recently held elections and he is chief, Andy O’Donnell is first chief, Bob McMillen is second chief, and Matt Bell is third chief.

Supervisor Paris asked the chief about the breakdown by townships, but he stated that hasn’t been done yet.

The Howe Township agreement was discussed again in regards to billing them for a minimum amount, then adding costs per incident. Supervisor Paris stated that all this paperwork is being handled by Supervisor Bulicz and asked if anything has been done yet? Supervisor Bulicz stated that nothing has been done as of yet. The Penelec bill at the Fire Department was discussed.

Chief Bell stated that when anything comes up in regards to the building and the bills that the township pays, the supervisors are to contact either Al Ace or Doug Repine; they have been put in charge of these items and he will be the contact for strictly emergencies. He did ask if an audit can be done by Penelec, but the secretary stated that they don’t do these and she asked if they did their own audit, by turning off all the circuits and turning one on at a time while watching the meter to check for usage. The chief stated they couldn’t because the meter was replaced with a demand meter. He asked if Mark Hoden could be called in to do an audit for the fire department. Supervisor Bulicz will contact Mr. Hoden of Hoden Electric.

Supervisor Paris stated that other fire departments have informed her that they put their equipment on timers so that everything isn’t plugged in at the same time and they have found this to be very cost affective. The secretary stated the electric bill is $811 this month, down somewhat from $1,200 last month. Supervisor Bulicz asked the secretary to pull the last two years of electric bills for the fire department for his review. Supervisor Bulicz will review the usage by month. Chief Bell also reported that the storm/tornado siren is being repaired by RAMCO in the next couple weeks, a county-wide emergency drill will be taking place in February. More information will be given to the secretary so that something can be placed in the paper. Chief Bell stated that the county will be putting an advertisement in the paper announcing this as well.

Supervisor Paris stated she called the assistant roadmaster out on Sunday, Feb. 5, for an icy parking lot at the high school and in front of the fire hall. There was a youth wrestling tournament and lots of traffic. She stated that Ian did not put this time on his time sheet and she thanked him for this.

A courtesy letter was sent to the owners of 31 Pickering Street. Letter and pictures were sent on January 27. The tenant is working with somebody that owns a farm to remove the bags of old duck bedding and feces. She has contacted everybody from Rep. Rapp’s office to the county extension office to the humane society and Fitch Disposal for disposal. Supervisor Bulicz stated that she had contacted him prior to the meeting to inform him that all the bags of debris have been removed.

The township received an email from Peter To of the Forest Service and it states, “after countless conversations with our internal grant and agreements, contracting, and leasing personnel, the option to use the Sheffield police office became unrealistic option due to internal policies and rules that he has to follow. The time frame of sorting through the policies and rules and producing the rationale/justification to use the Sheffield police office was too great of an obstacle and would take a minimum of six months to satisfy internal auditors. They will be moving their engine crew to an existing facility in Sheffield and share that site with their construction and maintenance group.

Supervisor Labesky stated that he and the secretary submitted paperwork to the Marienville Correction Institute for the painting of the police department office and also for the clean-up of the Tionesta Park from the flood. It was decided to continue with getting the police department office painted because it is in need of a facelift.

Highlander Energy recently installed a new invoker fan in the boiler at the township building. The fan was $109.98. One of the zones was really cold so the secretary contacted Highlander to come take a look.

Don and Jenifer Hadley of 107 Crary Avenue have been sent a letter from the city of Warren for a building code violation. They have not contacted the City of Warren for any inspections and their building permit will be expiring in March.

First Energy contacted the township on January 18, informing the supervisors that they have received all the paperwork for the LED light changeover and has sent a copy of the agreement, at no charge to the township.

It was approved to sell the jail side of the Sheriff’s Department the 223 Ruger rifle for $125 along with all the ammo. Supervisor Bulicz stated that the pistol will be sold to the county Drug Task Force and Cody Brown of the DA’s office will be contacted by Supervisor Paris.

The township received the application for the 2017 CDBG program. There is approximately $227,000 available. Spicer Road was discussed as a possible project for the grant. Supervisor Labesky stated this is based on the housing income and feels the seven houses in this area would be under the standards set forth in grant.

Resolution No. 456/TAWC Resolution for our $1,000 contribution was adopted, and so was Resolution No. 457/ Resolution of Sheffield Township, declaring certain conditions as a nuisance, was adopted. This is for 41 Dunham Street and the burning of garbage. Solicitor Stapleford has put this resolution together and will be sent to her for her to send on to the property owner.

Harold Kirk Elicker has not picked up his certified copy of the Blighted Property Resolution for the Horton Avenue property, according to supervisors. Supervisor Labesky feels this property is not blighted; it is not in falling-down condition. Elicker will not pick up any of the correspondence in regards to this property and it will be going to judicial sale in June. Resolution No. 451 will be voided.

A stack of tires in the garage for the police car needs to be addressed. Supervisor Paris thinks they are for the police car, but there are nine tires. She has asked a representative of Johnson Tire to stop down when they are in the area and take a look at them to see what kind of shape they are in.

Supervisor Paris also asked about the cage from the police car that was removed — can this be given to the Sheriff’s Department? Chief Bell mentioned that constables have to purchase their own equipment for their own vehicles, and perhaps one of them would be interested. Supervisor Paris made a motion to give the cage to the Sherriff’s department and it was approved.

Complaint received from Henry’s Mill Citizens:

“Can you please pass along once again that the Henry Mills Road from the spring up the hill is getting really bad again. Especially in front of Holden’s to Utah Road. Pot holes that could take out a car or small child. Thanks a bunch!” — Concerned Citizens of Henry Mills Rd.

Roadmaster Thayer stated that, yes, they are really bad and they will be fixed weather permitting.

The township solicitor has filed a civil complaint against Scott Holcomb for not paying the township the final bill for 26 First Mill Street. He contacted the solicitor and stated that there was no need for the hearing, and he would be in to pay the township. He has yet to pay the bill. She is scheduling another hearing. The solicitor is to be told to reschedule the hearing and don’t cancel the hearing until the secretary contacts her that the cash is in hand.

Columbia Gas has applied for a General Permit T Utility Line Crossing and Erosion and Sediment Control for a line to be relocated in Sheffield Township. Columbia Gas proposes to install a total of approximately 500 feet of 6-inch plastic natural gas pipeline adjacent to Route 6 in Sheffield. The pipeline is being relocated as part of the PennDOT Bridge Replacement Project. The project includes the utility line stream crossing of Four Mile Run, which is proposed to be installed by directional bore. Total project disturbance is estimated to be less than 0.1 acre.

Western PA Conservancy has provided a digital copy of the Draft East Branch Tionesta Creek Coldwater Conservation Plan, which is a non-regulatory plan that provides a snapshot of the aquatic ecosystem health of the watershed, which can assist stakeholders in the preservation and management of this high quality cold water fishery. The plan includes data from field assessments that occurred during the last two years, as well as supplemental data from project partners. This plan can be used to help develop, fund, and implement projects. The township has this plan on a CD.

The solicitor asked for more pictures of the Akers property. She is working with Glenn Carlson on this violation. Roadmaster Thayer obtained pictures, and was questioned by the property owner.

Supervisor Labesky had Roadmaster Thayer give a priority list of the blacktopping that will be done this spring. Thayer stated that following roads will be blacktopped: Henry’s Mills Road from the bridge to the end of the blacktop; Foulkrod Street from West Main Street to Tionesta Street; the Epstein Loop to Center Street; and Elk Street and Saybrook Road the apron at Route 6 to the railroad tracks.

Our municipal representative from PennDOT will be contacted to take measurements and get bid ready by March. Supervisor Paris asked about Cemetery Road and the bad condition of it. Patch and seal coating of Cemetery Road will be done with a county project if this is going to be done again this year.

Roadmaster Thayer questioned the decision to waive the road opening fees for National Fuel Gas on First, Second and Third Mill Streets with the gas line re-location project currently underway. He stated that they could fix the opening for a lot less than the $400 per opening. He doesn’t feel the township should waive these fees. Supervisor Bulicz reviewed the conversation and emails in regards to this decision. Supervisor Bulicz stated that he was contacted by the secretary that NFG was going to be cutting the above streets approximately 14 times and this would cost NFG $5,600 for all these cuts. Jeremy Young of Roystone NFG station stated, unless they are able to find a boring machine to go under the roads, he was asking for a deal with the township without having to pay all these road cut fees. Supervisor Bulicz and Supervisor Labesky agreed that they would waive the fees and that NFG would be responsible to hire an outside contractor to fix all the road cuts at their cost. Supervisor Paris was not in agreement, as she was asking for a reduced fee, but not a waiving of the fees. She felt this would set a precedent, i.e. Municipal Authority. The secretrary explained that the townshp does not charge the Municipal Authority. After much discussion, and the fact that Mr. Young has yet to contact the supervisors back after the secretary left him a message, Supervisor Bulicz made a motion to collect the fees, seconded by Supervisor Labesky and duly carried. The secretary is to contact Mr. Young and inform him that the supervisors have changed their minds because he did not get back to them prior to starting their project and the fees will need to be collected for all road cuts.

Roadmaster Thayer stated that the “No Truck” signs were purchased from U.S. Municipal and, after reviewing the minutes, he noticed that one was suppose to be placed at the corner of Church Street and South Main Street, too. It was decided not to place one at the corner of Church and South Main Streets.

Junior Supervisor Hayley Corbin reported that the SADD tee-shirt sales netted $1,200 to the American Heart Association. The mock trial students went to Erie Court House to compete recently and the start of the semester was Feb. 6.

Supervisor Paris stated she was contacted by the past owner of the house on Willow Street where the water is running down the hill and on to the roadway and she informed her that the water is coming from when the owner above them built their garage and put in drainage for the garage.

Supervisor Paris stated that she called Assistant Roadmaster Lester on Thursday, Feb. 9, for a malfunctioning railroad crossing. She thought that we had a key for the electric box at the tracks and informed the state police that were present doing traffic assist that the township did, but the township does not. The dispatcher from the railroad needed a pole number as well. Supervisor Paris would like a letter to be sent to the railroad and inform that the township needs a key or quicker response time for these problems Tractor trailors can not go across a blinking railroad light because they now are equipped with sensors and will be penalized for disobeying traffic signals.

Chief Bell reported that in front of the Country Manor on Pickering Street, there used to be a “No Parking” sign on the pole, but it has been removed. This area is used for loading and unloading residents and it is where the ambulance parks for an emergency. Roadmaster Thayer will order a new one. Supervisor Labesky stated that he received the 2020 census paperwork and he will no longer be a supervisor at this time. This was given to Chairman Bulicz.

Other matters discussed:

-Gas and Oil Management Associates, Inc of Youngsville will be drilling in Mead Township. Howard Drilling will be drilling in Wetmore Township. Cameron Energy is drilling in Sheffield Township in the Cherry Run area and Wilmoth Interest will be drilling in Wetmore Township.

– The Warren County Tax Collection Committee has forwarded a copy of the 2017 Adopted Budget.

– The January Treasurer’s report and minutes from the January 5 Authority meeting are on hand for review.

-The township has been informed that dry hydrants permits are being processed with DEP and that the PHMC has removed request for a potential archeological survey in the project areas.

-National Fuel Gas has filed for a PADEP Chapter 105 General Permit for a pipeline replacement for the line located at West side of Route 666, at the bridge crossing of Dodge Run.

The next supervisors meeting will be Tuesday, Feb. 21, at 7:30 p.m. at the Sheffield Hospitality Center. Due to the Presidents Day holiday, the meeting is on Tuesday, not Monday.

Larceny and Old Lace

Friday, Feb. 24, and Saturday, Feb. 25, Larceny and Old Lace will be performed at the SAMSHS Auditorium beginning at 7 p.m.

Sheffield VFD News

Here are the 2016 statistics for the Sheffield VFD. The fire service had a total of 199 calls, events, and practices, which totaled 2,013 man hours from volunteers. The ambulance service had a total of 296 EMS calls, which totaled to 1,437 man hours from volunteers and 7,499 miles on ambulances.

Throughout the year, the ambulance service only had to turn over one call to another agency.

Upcoming events to watch for in 2017 are buffet dinners, spring and fall craft shows, soup and sub sale, turkey party, and breakfast with Santa.

The 2017 Firemen’s Festival will be held from August 13-19.

Throughout the winter months, bingo will be held on the second Wednesday of the month.

Sheffield/Barnes Parish Open Doors Dinner at Sheffield UMC

The next Open Doors Dinner will be on Monday, Feb. 27, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Sheffield United Methodist Church at 11 West Main Street. The folks from the Sheffield and Barnes parish will be cooking up some chili and cornbread with ice cream for dessert. Take-outs will be available or you can eat in for some great fellowship.

“Music on the Mountain” DCI Meeting

Sunday, Feb. 19, at 5 p.m., at the Clarendon Borough Building, will be the next meeting of the group of individuals who are working on the “Music on the Mountain” DCI Competition this summer on August 4 at the Sheffield High School Sports Complex. Anybody who wishes to work on this event is encouraged to attend this meeting everybody is welcome.

Sheffield Hospitality Center

Do you have some unloved jewelry or downsizing? Bring items in or we will pick up for our ‘Oldies & Goodies sale in June, we store in our garage till then.

Would you like to help support the Center? Donate $5 and get a booklet from BonTon for up to $500 in savings when you shop Feb. 23, 24 and 25 for upcoming events you may have to buy for.

We are still taking appointments for VITA tax volunteers to help you with your taxes, these people are certified to do taxes and this a FREE service to help the elderly and those who are in need. You MUST make an appointment by calling 968-5667.

Remember we will be closed Monday, Feb. 20, for Presidents day and will reopen Thursday and Friday.

Trips:

Feb. 14–Seneca Allegany Casino $22

May 10-11–Lancaster for ‘Jonah’ & Hershey’s Chocolate World and of course Kitchen Kettle Village. $269

June 20-22–Noah’s Ark & the Creation Museum, as close to the Bible description as possible. This is the most popular trip in 2016 and we are proud to offer it to everyone.

August 11-19–Southern Caribbean Cruise, aboard the Royal Caribbean’s ‘Adventure of the Seas’. Join us for fabulous ports as Puerto Rica, St. Thomas, Curaçao, Aruba & St Kitts, flight included from Buffalo. Pricing from $2049.

September 18-22–Montreal & Quebec City, tour the famous stops to our neighboring Canada $689.

Brochures are available. Pricing for double occupancy.

Coming Events in Sheffield

Feb 21st – Sheffield Township Supervisors Meeting at 7:30PM at the Sheffield Hospitality Center

27th Open Doors Dinner at the Sheffield UMC from 5pm-7pm donations only

March 3rd – Knights of Columbus Fish Fry at St. Paul Center 5pm -7pm

10th – Knights of Columbus Fish Fry at St. Paul Center 5pm – 7pm

17th – Knights of Columbus Fish Fry at St. Paul Center 5pm – 7pm

24th- Knights of Columbus Fish Fry at St. Paul Center 5pm – 7pm

31st – Knights of Columbus Fish Fry at St. Paul Center 5pm – 7pm

April 7th – Knights of Columbus Fish Fry at St. Paul Center 5pm – 7pm

14th – Knights of Columbus Fish Fry at St. Paul Center 5pm – 7pm

May 13th – Prom at Sheffield Area Junior Senior High School at Conewango Club

National Train Day is being observed all day at the Sheffield Depot

June 15th -16th Sheffield Open in the Erie area

June 24th – Sheffield Rotary Golf Scramble at 1:30PM at the Blueberry Golf Course

August 4th – “Music on the Mountain” DCI Competition at the Sheffield Sports Complex

Aug 13-19th – Sheffield VFD Fireman’s Festival Week

Oct 13th – 15th 12th Annual Johnny Appleseed Festival

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