Sheffield United Methodist Church Vacation Bible School

Last week the Sheffield United Methodist Church hosted Vacation Bible Camp. Fifty-five children ranging in age from kindergarten to sixth grade attended the week-long event. The theme for this year’s VBS was centered around serving God through our relationships with friends, family, neighbors and the community. Throughout the week, campers participated in craft making, Bible stories around the campfire, outdoor games and music.

Kevin Bell, chief of the Sheffield Volunteer Fire Department, was invited to the camper’s Friday night musical performance in which he was presented with a canvas of handprints from each of the children to say “thank you” for all that his department does for the community.

The Vacation Bible School program at the Sheffield United Methodist Church has continued to grow each year. This program would not be possible without the help of our many volunteers who give of their time and talents to work with the kids. Funding for VBS is made possible through the generosity of the businesses who sponsor the Adam’s Apple 5K race, which is held during the Johnny Appleseed Festival, and the runners and walkers who participate.

This year’s 5K will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, October 10. For registration, email Kristen Joblon at kristen.joblon@gmail.com.

Sheffield Hospitality Center

The menu for the week will be Monday: ham loaf with garlic roasted potatoes, vegetable and Kelly’s home made sweet rolls for dessert; Thursday is the second picnic of the year with hamburger, potato salad, baked beans, birthday cake and ice cream; Friday, it is chicken casserole and peach cobbler.

Some of this week’s highlights are on Monday; start the day by stopping in to have your eyes tested for Glaucoma by Carol from the Blind Association hours are 10 a.m. to noon with no appointment necessary. We will also have blood pressure screening from 10:30 a.m. to noon with Vanessa from Kane Home Health. Lunch will follow.

On Tuesday, a lunch will go to lunch, then shopping at the Millcreek Mall in Erie.

The monthly birthday/anniversary luncheon/picnic at the center will be complete with birthday cake from BiLo and a drawing for a fresh flower arrangement from Presents & Posies, plus a drawing for the monthly 50/50. Then after lunch, there is Bingo with friends. Next month the last picnic of the year will be at Sheffield’s Rod & Gun Club.

Trips

Sept. 23-24 – Seats remain for the Lancaster trip for the presentation of “The Story of Joseph,” including lodging, meals, transportation plus stops for shopping and more all for $239.

The November trip to the Bahamas has been canceled due to lack of interest. BUT still time to sign up for the one in February which is one day longer and with the Royal Caribbean cruise lines ‘Grandeur of the Seas’ pricing begins at $899 and sails out of Baltimore. Passports are required.

April 12-13, 2015 -Lancaster for the presentation of “Samson” at the Sight & Sound Theater, including lodging, meals, transportation plus stops for shopping and more $239.

May 18 and 29 – National Parks of America; fly from Buffalo to Las Vegas, visit by coach and guides to four states and 13 national parks, then fly from South Dakota to home.

Sheffield Township Supervisors

The supervisors met on Monday, July 20, for their bi-monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m. at the Sheffield Hospitality Center. The chief of police reported that in the month of June he investigated four accidents, nine theft complaints, five reports of suspicious persons, five disturbance calls, seven harassment complaints, two requests to assist other agencies, three requests to check welfare of others, six mental health calls, one assault, three traffic complaints, three domestics, four reports of suspicious vehicles, two disorderly conducts, four complaints of traffic hazards, four child custody complaints, four reports of criminal mischief, four noise complaints, four trespass complaints, three dog complaints and two burglaries.

Roy Burton informed the supervisors that the electrical panel on Memorial Park near Center Street needs a guide wire or pole to stabilize it. Supervisor Labesky asked roadmaster Thayer to meet with Mr. Burton to get this taken care of.

A resident of First Mill Street stated that there are several homes around Mill Street that fall under the blighted category. He presented the supervisors with pictures of three different homes on Mill Street – 20 First Mill Street, 59 2nd Mill Street and 61 2nd Mill Street. The supervisors informed him that a blighted property resolution is being sent to 20 First Mill Street and an ordinance No. 118 and 91 is being sent to 59 2nd Mill Street. Chief Madigan will inspect 61 2nd Mill Street.

A resident of 19 First Mill Street was present with complaints about 17 First Mill Street, the old Burton property, which was turned over to the bank. He had several pictures of the house. The pictures showed that the house is still full of garbage and junk. There is also raw sewage seeping out from underneath this house, he stated. He stated that he mows the lawn and that the bank has come in and removed three truckloads of garbage from the house, but there is still more. Supervisor McMillen stated that a letter was sent to them in May but no follow up obviously has been done. Another letter will be sent to the bank that now owns this house informing of the condition of this property.

A Saybrook resident reported that the sign right across the tracks on Saybrook Road is laying down and there is high grass in the right-of-way, making visibility difficult on this road. Supervisor Labesky instructed the roadmaster to get this taken care of.

Another Resident of First Mill Street was present with complaints in regards to 28 First Mill Street. There is water-sewage running underneath this house, stated the complaint. The supervisors instructed the secretary to contact Todd Fantaskey of Northwest Soil and Service to investigate 17 First Mill Street, 28 First Mill Street and 26 First Mill Street.

A Mill Street resident asked about who owns and maintains Sawmill Road. Roadmaster Thayer stated that it’s a township road and the township has been working on it. A Horton Avenue resident asked about the flooding on Horton Avenue and about the time frame for the excavation. Supervisor McMillen stated that early August this will be done. The contractor is ready to begin and has asked for our roadcrew to be available on the weekend to work with him. With a motion by Supervisor Bulicz, seconded by Supervisor Labesky and duly carried, the roadcrew, Dan Thayer, Ian Lester and Bill Dilley, will work overtime as needed on this project with the contractor, the first weekend in August, weather permitting.

He also asked about the dredging underneath the bridge by Allegheny Pitt Stop. He thought PennDot was supposed to take care of this. The secretary is to contact PennDot and remind them of this.

Kevin Bell, chief of Sheffield Volunteer Fire Department, stated that the temporary registration will be running out on the utility truck. He wanted to know when and if we will receive a permanent registration card for this vehicle. The secretary will check into this. Mr. Bell also asked about the dry hydrants and where did the township purchase them in the past. Mr. Labesky stated that we received a grant for them. Mr. Bell asked that the township get these dry hydrants in as soon as possible as they are desperately needed for fires.

Resolution No. 426 needs signed again, and the dates were wrong on the one that was sent to us in March. This is for the budgeted money of $1,000 that the township contributes to TAWC each year.

The amount the township will receive from County Liquid Fuels is $3,595 for this year. The township voted to use this for anti-skid and winter road maintenance. A Tan Street resident reported that there are two trees at the end of Tan Street where the two-mile creek is, the one tree is down and in the water and the other is at a 45 degree angle ready to fall. He would like to see these cleaned out for better water flow.

On Tuesday, July 14, Supervisor Labesky attended a meeting at the Visitors Bureau with Joseph Meade, Deputy Secretary of DCED. The meeting was attended by township supervisors and borough officials from Warren County. The purpose of the meeting was to give the head offices an opportunity to address their needs and concerns.

Supervisor Labesky attended the meeting as an advocate to voice concerns to help the Sheffield Food Pantry to acquire some financial assistance to renovate its newly-acquired building donated by Hi-Crush. This building needs to be completely renovated to meet ADA standards and occupancy permits.

The old location at the Smith Center no longer meets the needs of the food pantry. With the aging providing food to over 100 families each month, it is hoped that the township gets funds to renovate this building.

Supervisor Labesky spoke with Alison Schmidt, Northwest Regional Director of DCED, located in Erie, concerning the project. She stated she would be willing to come to Sheffield to speak with the Food Pantry board to discuss the project in detail.

Supervisor Labesky will be in contact with Tom Dunn, president of the Sheffield Food Pantry, to schedule a meeting in the near future.

Thw township received a thank you email from Joe Meade for our attendance at this meeting.

The secretary reported that the new scoreboard has been shipped to the school district.

The township received complaints in regards to Cemetery Road and how the foliage is growing down over the road. The road doesn’t dry up, which can’t be good for this surface. Supervisor Labesky asked the roadmaster to trim back the trees that are hanging down over the roadway. Complaints were received in regards to the house across from Chuck Johnson on Saybrook Road. There is no visible violations that can be addressed, per Chief Madigan. Chief Madigan met with Michael Akers of Route 6 and he informed him that the vehicle that was thought to be full of garbage is bags of clothes, not garbage and they are working on cleaning up the property and getting it mowed. Chief Madigan informed him what needed to be done to be in compliance. An Ordinance No 91 letter was sent to Sally and Mark Mamrowich for the holes in the roof of their garage. They have contacted the office and will be either placing plywood to cover the whole or be tearing the garage down.

PennDot rep Jon Wilson was in to review township bid results. There was no problem with Hawbaker’s bid of $99,191.25. He stated that there is a clause in the bidding that reads, “Future awards of contracts will be based on quality of work as determined by the municipality.” This allows the township to reject bids. Mr. Wilson also stated that if we decide to not do this project because of the price, thw township could hold off until next year and perhaps add more roads and streets to bring the price down With a motion by Supervisor Bulicz, seconded by Supervisor Labesky, the township will reject bids and bid this job earlier next year. Supervisor McMillen stated, “Let’s make sure that we do this earlier and get these roads taken care of.”

It was reported that Cameron Energy will be drilling six wells in Sheffield Township. It appears that they will be using Henry’s Mills Road for access. A road use permit has been sent to Cameron Energy. Snyder Brothers will be drilling in Hamilton Township. The secretary stated that the workers compensation for the fire department has gone down from $11,651 to $9,586 through the State Worker’s Insurance Fund.

PennDot has informed the township that there is not enough traffic flow for a four-way stop at Center Street and Church Street.

The Vargas & Bates property on First Mill Street, which had a fire earlier in the year, has become a nuisance, it was discussed There are no utilities at this house, the windows are broke out, it was reported. Chief Madigan stated it is definitely a blighted property. Blighted property resolution no. 433 was signed by the supervisors and will be sent certified to the property owners.

The cost of Spring Clean Up Day was as follows: Bill from Advanced Disposal, $4,725.69 money received that day was $1,655.00, making the cost of this day to the township $3,070.69 for 16 tons of garbage being removed.

Andy Benson received his letter acknowledging his intentions for his property at 105 Church Street. This letter gives until him July 31 to show that an effort is being made to clean up this property. Jonathon Whipple and Jessica Camp were sent an Ordinance No. 33 violation letter in regards to their property at 15 1/2 Tan Street. Stan Ferry a camp owner on Austin Hill Road was sent a grass ordinance violation. An Ordinance No. 118 and 91 has been sent to Victor and Tamara Earle of Smethport for their property at 59 2nd Mill Street. Grass needs mowed and there are broken windows on the house per Chief Madigan.

The next meeting of the Sheffield Township Supervisors will be 7:30 p.m. Monday, August 3, at the Sheffield Hospitality Center.

Coming Events:

July 26th Sheffield Rod & Gun Club Archery Shoot

August 1st Sheffield Rod & Gun Hunter Safety Course-register online

August 16-22nd Sheffield Fireman’s Festival

August 23rd Sheffield Rod & Gun Club Archery Shoot

Sept 20th Sheffield Rod & Gun Club Archery Shoot

Oct 9-11th 10th Annual Johnny Appleseed Festival

Oct 24th SVFD Ladies Auxiliary Fall Craft Show

Nov 7th SVFD Annual Turkey Party

Nov 7th Sheffield Rotary and UPMC/Kane Community Hospital Multiphasic Bloodscreening

Nov 27th Sheffield Sports Boosters Cash-A-Palooza Turkey Party

Nov 28th Cherry Grove VFD Fall Gun Raffle

Dec 12th Breakfast with Santa at the Sheffield VFD