DUKE CENTER — The Otto Township supervisors soon may have to decide whether to fund and man their own police force or go the route several other small municipalities in the state have gone and rely on the Pennsylvania State Police for everything police related.
Supervisor chairman Chris Claycomb reported that at the most recent meeting of the joint police commission (Otto Township and Eldred Borough), Eldred’s mayor Andy Lathrop broached the possibility of the borough not renewing the agreement, due to new legislation proposed in Harrisburg that would increase the cost per capita for state police coverage. This would be applicable whether a locality has a police force or not. Lathrop and the Eldred council are looking at the cost of each option and will decide soon. Their decision will then necessitate Otto’s making theirs. Claycomb stressed that, although it would save money for each area to disband the police force, he wants to maintain the status quo, stating that the presence and availability of a police officer is always a good thing. He wants to have further discussion with Eldred borough and wants to bring Eldred Township and other bordering townships into the conversation.
The supervisors unanimously agreed to hire a surveyor to determine the township’s acreage at the garage, the purpose to determine if there is enough land to erect a storage shed for salt/sand mix. Landowner Jeff Duke will cooperate with them should more land be required.
Roadmaster Jeremy Delong announced that, due to the good weather making an earlier than usual appearance this year, the township will begin cold-patching some of the rough spots, cleaning roadside ditches, sweeping the winter detritus off road surfaces, and has plans for resurfacing areas of Maple Street in Rixford and Highland Street in Duke Center. A faulty sluice recently installed under Kansas Branch Road was brought to the supervisors’ attention and will be corrected. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation will be contacted to address the persistent problem of excess water running across Looker Mountain Trail in front of the Rixford Post Office.
Resolution No. 113 was passed unanimously, ensuring a state grant that will fund 80 percent of the new bridge slated for construction over the south branch of Knapp Creek in Rixford. Fire Chief Chris Schwab requested the township’s help, if necessary, when the fire department checks and tests the seven drops they maintain in the township waterways. The township will also use their equipment to grade the fire hall’s parking lot to improve the direction of runoff.
Residents are reminded that it is important to cooperate with this year’s census, because an accurate head count assures the full amount of government subsidies the township is entitled to, as well as indicating the needs and shortages within the township.
Two upcoming events were announced and all residents are encourage to participate for the good of the township. The Old Home Days’ annual “Cash Bash” will be held at the Otto Fire hall on April 18, beginning at 3 p.m. And, this year’s Spring Clean-up Day will be June 8. Information on costs and restrictions will be forthcoming.
