A father and son pair were recognized at Monday’s Bradford Township meeting for a donation to help the township’s police department.

Mark and Matt Grassi of MG Arms Inc. purchased a new computer and equipment to be installed in the new police car.

Bradford Township Police Chief Robb Shipman explained that in 2018, the township was approved for a state grant for software to write paperless citations. While the new system would save officers time and increase officer safety, the township did not have computers that could handle the system.

Shipman said the Grassis asked if the department needed anything. When told about the need for a computer, “They graciously agreed. Not a cheap investment, but they did it for us.”

Supervisors then voted on several items at the meeting — votes that showed great disagreement among the supervisors.

Supervisor Chairman Jim Erwin reminded attendees to hold comments till the appropriate time, noting that, “at the reorganizational meeting, when we were filling the vacancy board,” they were “interrupted and we didn’t get a final vote.”

They reopened the matter and voted two to one with supervisor Steve Mascho as the holdout in favor of appointing Laree Sue Behan to the vacancy board.

Mascho, who indicated that supervisor Mark Cline was in favor at the last meeting of putting Dave Geitner in the seat, asked Cline what changed his mind.

Cline explained that Behan was the only one who submitted a letter of interest. “I think it’s in the best interest of the township.”

When someone wondered what the vacancy board is, Erwin explained that if there is an opening for a new supervisor and the two existing supervisors don’t agree, the vacancy board member serves as a tiebreaker.

During the road report, Erwin reminded people they are not to be walking across any of the bridges in the township that are closed to traffic, as it is a “safety hazard.”

Supervisors passed a motion to accept a bid of $8,966 from Luciano and Sons Builders to replace steel doors. Mascho noted that if the agreement falls through for any reason, Dan Burkhouse also submitted a bid.

They also unanimously accepted Mike Salerno’s resignation from the zoning hearing board, and appointed David Debolt to the board. Then, in a separate vote, they appointed Jack Carns and Rose Kessel and Frances Forbes as an alternate.

They passed two to one a motion to advertise for a full-time road crew laborer.

“We’ve been having a hard time getting people hired here,” said Erwin, noted the township will now be willing to accept someone without a commercial driver’s license and give them a probationary period to get the CDL.

Mascho, who voted no, said he’d rather get hire a couple of temporary employees so the township doesn’t have to pay for benefits.

“We don’t need full time,” he said. “It would benefit the township a lot more when not paying all the extra money.”

Cline said the employees feel they are shorthanded, explaining the township needs to have enough employees to do the job.

Mascho also voted no to purchasing a new garbage truck based on two bids, but motions to purchase a truck and packer were OK’d with votes from Erwin and Cline. The winning bids are $137,736.57 for an International truck and $94,877 for an A&H Equipment packer.

Erwin explained the township needs to get moving on the purchase, as it will take six or eight months to get the truck here. He’s “getting ready to take (one garbage truck) off the road for safety.”

Mascho said, “I’ll just say I’m sorry we’re not looking to save a little more money for the township,” adding he wanted to seek more quotes.

Cline and Erwin also voted in favor of advertising for sealed bids for a prefabricated superstructure to replace the Browntown Road bridge. Bids are to be opened at the March meeting.

Mascho voted no, saying, “We don’t need that bridge right now.” He said he’d rather see the Act 13 money used for road repairs.

Mascho said he is talking to state Rep. Marty Causer. R-Turtlepoint, about trying to get grant money for the East Warren Road bridge.

Erwin noted the township has already spent money on engineering fees and permits for the Browntown project — money that will be lost if the project is not completed in a timely manner.

In response to assertions that the Browntown bridge is not necessary, Cline said, “That bridge was put in at one time by people who thought it was necessary.”

Cline noted that there has been some concern with getting emergency vehicles to homes quickly with the bridge out.

Supervisors passed a motion to advertise the sale of three township vehicles, with Erwin and Cline voting yes to selling all three and Mascho voting to sell two and keep a grader.

The supervisors will meet next at 7 p.m. March 9.