PORT ALLEGANY — There may be a lot of noise in Liberty Township, but the supervisors passed a resolution not to take action — at least not now.
Meeting for their regular monthly meeting, the Liberty Township Supervisors addressed an issue that has been filling their ears at the last few board meetings — complaints about the noise coming from the wood chipping facility operated by Grant Postlewait.
For the past few meetings, various concerned citizens have expressed complaints about the noise level coming from the new chipper that has been installed. Postlewait explained the old unit used a chain to remove the bark from the logs. The new unit rolls the log around inside a barrel, and it’s much louder. He told the supervisors that he is working on a plan to put some kind of roof over the equipment in the hopes that it will reduce the noise by the end of summer.
“I want to say that I think the noise problem was handled in a professional way,” said Supervisor Richard Brown. “The Hauver’s brought their concerns to us. Grant invited them to come see what he was doing there at the site.”
He went on to say that other residents, who are asking for a noise ordinance, have also been very professional about this, but, “as soon as their was talk of a noise ordinance, I started getting phone calls where people wanted a junk ordinance. I think the minute we start making and policing these ordinances, they pit neighbor against neighbor.”
Brown said he thinks noise and junk complaints should be dealt with in a professional manner, and on a case by case basis, not by writing and enforcing another ordinance. “The government has enough control, without needing us to add to it,” said Brown.
Joan and Ivan Freer, who live on Combs Creek Road, just on the other side of the Allegheny Portage Creek, aren’t happy about the noise. Ivan Freer has started wearing earplugs when he’s working outside, and they said the sound waves rise from the chipper, it pushes out and amplifies over their property.
Joan Freer said, “I really don’t want anyone to be out of a job, but we do need to do something about this.”
Brown reiterated that he didn’t think an ordinance was the answer. “Look at Annin Township. They’ve got a noise ordinance, all because a kid was riding a dirt bike. Where does it stop?”
Supervisor Fred Ernst reiterated that making ordinances means someone has to police them. “Sooner or later, all your time and energy goes into policing and enforcing all of them.”
Board chairman Gary Turner told the Freers, and the others in attendance, “Mr. Postlewait says he is working to try to fix this. Let’s see what they can do. I’ve seen those guys do some amazing things over there.”
Brown made a motion to not create a noise ordinance; the motion was seconded by Ernst, and the motion carried.
The supervisors, the Freers, and Postlewait continued to discuss ideas to help control the noise. The Freer’s suggested possibly coating the barrel with some foam that might stop it from resonating. Postlewait explained that he’s not sure that would work. He explained he wants to find a way to build a roof over the barrel to keep the sound from traveling upward, but he’s concerned that a permanent structure would need to be torn down if he has to make repairs on the system. He’s investigating options for a roof he could lift and move with a crane.
Ivan Freer said he hopes the roof would lower the volume at least ten decibels. “That would really help.”
The supervisors also briefly discussed the possibility of pursuing some Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) money to make improvements to their municipal building. Turner wants to see the building outfitted to be handicap accessible, and wants to see the parking lot repaired. He says while he doubts they could get grant money to pave the parking lot, he definitely wants to find a way to do that. “Nobody can get in without stepping in about four feet of mud.”
The supervisors also addressed recent concerns about a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation bridge replacement.
“We spoke with the PennDOT secretary, and with Senator Scarnati and Marty Causer,” said Turner. “According to them, they were never going to close Route 155.”
Turner went on to say the public hearing on March 17 should address questions about the bridge replacement — and he says that he was told that all of the bridges would be replaced one lane at a time, and that no roads would be closed.
He also gave an update on the sewer upgrade project, saying that most of the easements have been obtained, and the project itself is going good. He did express concern, though, about the recent formation of a Municipal Authority with Port Allegany Borough.
“If the borough sticks with the way things are going, the sewer rates could be cheaper for everyone. But I don’t agree with everything going on down there. They don’t want the township on the Authority. I don’t like that,” Turner said, explaining he thinks Liberty Township should have some kind of representation.
