Bradford Township officials will begin holding public discussions about the 2020 budget.

They announced at their regular meeting Tuesday evening that budget work sessions are slated for 5 p.m. on Oct. 29 and 30 and Nov. 6 and 7.

Supervisors talked about the possibility of hiring a diesel mechanic to work on township equipment. They have been having a hard time finding a qualified mechanic because the starting pay rate is low.

Supervisor Steve Mascho said the union has turned down the township but added there is a plan to have someone talk to the union about it again.

“I would like to come up with a plan,” said Supervisor Chairman Jim Erwin, who noted that winter is coming and they need to be able to keep their equipment working.

Supervisor Dave Geitner suggested hiring one of the current employees for a 90-day period for simple maintenance and repairs to see how it goes. He noted there are some limitations to what that person could do, as certain repairs, such as brakes, would still require a person with special qualifications.

“I think there should be a lot of limitations,” said Mascho, who explained that safety is a serious issue.

“We’ve already had an accident and I don’t want to have anymore,” he said.

At the end of the meeting, Mascho referred to the accident again, saying, “I want to wish Rob Taylor the best.” Mascho explained Taylor was badly hurt in an accident, but Taylor will be able to come back to work on Monday. “Thank God he’s OK.”

A motion to have a road department employee do limited repairs for 90-day trial basis, while some specialized repairs are sent out, passed two to one with Mascho as the holdout.

Township resident Robert Burrell made a suggested of a man who was recently laid off who would be qualified, and Mascho asked if Burrell would have the man stop down and fill out an application.

Geitner, who gave the police department report, shared some advice on behalf of Chief Robb Shipman.

With cold weather coming, especially in the mornings, Geitner warned residents to watch for fog and asked they take time to clear their vehicle windows before taking to the road. Also, it’s the time of year that drivers need to watch for deer and bears in the road.

“If you do run into an animal in the roadway, don’t try to miss him,” he said, noting that motorists need to stay in their lane.

Supervisors adopted a resolution giving the name Kona Drive to a private road off Rutherford Run.

They accepted a request for Multimodal Transportation Fund Grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for bridge repairs, or the replacement or reconstruction of bridges in the township.

Supervisors voted in favor of pay $80,765.58 to Duffy Inc. of Smethport for a sewer repair project on Forest Hill Drive.

Erwin noted Duffy still has some restoration work to complete, and the township is holding back part of the payment until work is completed.

Mascho added that he is thankful the project is being done by “nice local people. I’m very happy for that reason.”

Supervisors also agreed to purchase anti-skid for the winter from IA Construction, which submitted the lower of two bids.

They tabled a bid for steel doors for the road department, police department and township building, as there was a question about one of the bids. They also tabled the sale of the township’s old grader because they believe can find a better deal than the $1,526 bid that was received.

Under public participation, resident Rocco Camas brought up something related to motorists getting pulled over by the police department, and two residents thanked the supervisors for a recent sewer repair and ongoing catch basin repairs.

Camas also noted, “Next month is election day. Be careful how you vote.”

One Bradford Township supervisor seat will be on the ballot in November.

Before the close of the meeting, Mascho brought up concerns he has about heavy equipment using the township’s “10-ton roads,” in particular Gates Hollow.

Geitner said they talked to the zoning officer, who said it was a code enforcement issue.

Township officials are still in the process of determining how to handle the problem.

Halloween trick-or-treat will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31 in the township. Residents should keep their porch lights on during this time.

A public hearing on the 2020 Community Development Block Grant program was held prior to the regular meeting.

Supervisors will meet next at 7 p.m. Nov. 11.