JACKSON TOWNSHIP NEWS

Your Community News Source
February, 2003

SPRING CLEAN-UP SCHEDULED FOR MAY 5th THRU 9th
Spring Clean-Up as been scheduled for May 5th thru 9th, 2003. Pick up will be on your regular collection day. You will be allowed one large item. Items that will not be picked up are yard waste, branches, construction materials, refrigerators, air conditioners, batteries, car parts, old paint, hazardous material, freezers and tires. Refrigerators, freezers or air conditioners can be picked up ONLY after the Freon is properly removed. Certification of Freon removal is required. Township residents wishing to haul their own refuse to the landfill may do so with a FREE permit issued at the Township Office only during the week of Spring Clean-Up. To insure the continuation of Spring Clean-Up, regular weekly garbage should be in regular Township garbage bags.

CAMBRIA COUNTY SOLID WASTE AUTHORITY OFFERS HELPFUL INFORMATION ON APPLIANCES, FREON REMOVAL AND TIRES
 Tanya Caretti-McCoy from the Cambria County Solid Waste Authority offered the following information for those needing to have Freon removed from appliances. She referenced two appliance dealers in Johnstown who will remove Freon. They are Krisays (536-3287) and R & R Appliance (536-6723). She went on to say the cost is usually about $25 - $40 per appliance for the removal. There may be others who deal with appliances who may also be qualified to perform this type of work. She also mentioned another program which Township residents may be interested in. Pennsylvania Cleanways will hold an Appliance & Tire Clean-Up on Saturday, May 17th at two locations in Cambria County from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. The first location will be in Ebensburg behind Laurel Crest Manor Nursing Home. The second location will be at the Portage Township Municipal Building. Pennsylvania Cleanways will not only remove the Freon but dispose of the appliance for you. The costs are as follows:

-Appliances with Freon $ 6.00 each
-Appliances without Freon $ 3.00 each
-Tires off the rim $ 1.00 each
-Tires on the rim $ 2.00 each

This program is a huge success and the response in previous years has been overwhelming. The program is offered to discourage illegal dumping or disposal of appliances and tires. For additional information on this program or for future Pennsylvania Cleanways Clean-Up Program Dates, you can call 472-1467.

INFORMATION NEED UPDATED?
If you received this newsletter and your name or address information is incorrect, or if you know of any resident of Jackson Township who didn’t receive it, please call the Township Office at 749-0725.
 

WARREN OIL OPENING PLANT IN MUNDY’S CORNER
 Warren Oil Company headquartered in Dunn, North Carolina recently purchased two plants. . .one in Marion, Illinois and the other in Mundy’s Corner. The plant was formerly operated by Pennzoil and is located along Pike Road. Warren Oil is a rapidly growing manufacturer of lubricating oils and greases. The two newly purchased plants will join other Warren Oil plants located in Dunn, North Carolina, Benton, Alabama and San Antonio, Texas. "Many synergies will be derived from the aquisition," said Irvin Warren, President and Founder of the company. "We already serve many customers in the Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and New York area, therefore reducing our freight expense immediately. We now can more efficiently serve our nationwide customer base." said Warren. Warren Oil Company also exports to more than 26 foreign countries. Warren Oil projects that sales for the year 2004 should be in excess of $150 Million with a total of 300 employees. The plant along Pike Road could eventually employ around 50 people. Warren Oil is also planning on upgrading and investing in the local plant and combined with the new jobs should greatly stimulate the local economy of Jackson Township.

IDEAS & VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT TO HELP CELEBRATE CAMBRIA COUNTY’S BICENTENNIAL
 Cambria County will be celebrating it’s 200th anniversary next year in 2004 and is encouraging all municipalities in the County to be a part of the year long milestone event. Attorney Fremont McKenrick is Chairman of the Bicentennial Steering Committee. Some of the "key events" will include a Kick-off Founders Day on March 26th, Fireman’s Convention Grand Parade on August 8th, County Family Picnic at Duman Lake Park around mid-summer, a Bicentennial Website which will be especially helpful for publicity outside of the County, commemorative items that will be for sale and a County Sponsored Book which will be called ‘The People of Cambria County’ by Dave Huber with educational curriculum applications and editing provided by others.

The Bicentennial Committee would also like to have as many municipalities in the County participate as possible and have individual community events to help celebrate. Three local Township residents, Donna Davis, Dennis Dixon and Paulette Baker have been attending County Bicentennial Meetings. Both are members of the Nant-Y-Glo Tri-Area Museum and Historical Society and are excited about what role Jackson Township could play. At the last meeting Mr. Dixon said a new CD on coal mining & farming has been produced and that he was going to get a copy to the Bicentennial Committee to review. He also suggested that the Senior Center could possibly play a role in the celebration.

If you or your group have any ideas as to what type of event could be held in Jackson Township, feel free to contact either Donna Davis at 749-7865, Denny Dixon at 749-7433 or Paulette Baker at 322-1863. They would love to hear any ideas or suggestions. They would also welcome any individual volunteers or groups that would be interested in helping to plan next year’s community celebration.

PLANNING COMMISSION TO REVIEW STREET LIGHTING IN JACKSON TWP.
 At the March Board of Supervisors Meeting, Supervisor Bruce Baker brought up the idea of having more street lighting in the Township for the safety of area residents. He pointed out that there are some very dark intersections around the Township and noted that on rainy nights, it’s very difficult to see where to turn at those intersections. Baker added that there are after-school activity buses that drop children off at some of these intersections because they don’t travel the entire bus route as they do for transporting children during the regular school day. Supervisor Baker suggested the Planning Commission conduct a study of the Township starting with intersections to get an idea of how many lights might be needed. He added that we should look at the most used and dangerous intersections first. The lights could be implemented over several years. The Board of Supervisors passed a motion unanimously to have the Planning Commission begin the study. If you feel that a certain intersection near you would be safer with a street light, please contact the Township Office at 749-0725.

POLICE REPORT
 Submitted by Police Chief, Bob Fatula
FIRST QUARTER, 2003
911 Calls Dispatched to Police 552,

Reportable incidents: 55, Harassment 18, Criminal Mischief 10, Theft 9, DUI (Driving while under the influence) 4, Assault 3, Disorderly Conduct 2, Drugs 2, Terroristic Threats 2, Vehicle Theft 2,      Arson 1, Public Drunkenness 1, Rape 1

Total Accidents Handled: 33
Non-Traffic Citations issued: 7
Traffic Citations Issued: 85
Traffic Arrests 5

Criminal Charges Filed: 28, DUI (Driving while under the influence) 5, Harassment 4, Disorderly Conduct 2, Drugs 2, Receiving Stolen Property 2, Theft 2, Accident Involving Injury 1, Assault 1, Burglary 1, Corruption of Minors 1, Criminal Attempted Burglary 1, Criminal Trespassing 1, Harassment by Communications 1, Indecent Assault 1, Indecent Exposure 1, Rape 1, Terroristic Threats 1

ROUTE 22 LIGHTING PLANS REVEALED
 You’ve probably already heard that the new Route 22 Project will include lighting at the various interchanges in Jackson Township. Not many know just how many lights are planned for those intersections. According to Kimball Engineering, the interchange at Route 271 and US 22 will have 32 lights. The new Dishong Mountain Road Interchange will have 18 lights and the three planned "jug handles" or turn around areas in the Township will have 4 lights each. One set of jug handles will be located between Fords Corner Road and Chickaree Hill Road while the other set will be located at County Line Road. At the County Line Road location, one jug handle will be in Jackson Township while the other matching one will be in East Wheatfield Township. The new lighting should enhance safety as well as encourage development within Jackson Township.

WALKING TRACK SLATED TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION AT JACKSON SENIOR CENTER
 The newest project being developed at the Jackson Township Senior & Handicapped Activities Center will be a walking track. The track will not only be for the Seniors, but for all Township residents to use and enjoy. The walking track will be handicapped accessible and be about 8 foot wide of macadam. It will be a little over 900 feet in length with spurs to both sides of the horseshoe pits and to the pavilion thus making a second loop that is a little shorter than the first. In addition to the walking track, there will be 2 new shuffleboard courts, 4 new benches and a flag pole installed as part of the improvement project. The entire project is expected to be completed by the end of July and was made possible from the Community Development Block Grant Program as well as the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

The Senior Center continues to offer a wide variety of classes that cover many subjects and interests. Fortunately, many of the classes are instructed by Senior Center members themselves who are willing to give of themselves to teach and help others. Members have taught classes including Beginner Computers, Line Dancing, Ceramics, Knitting and others ranging from making crafts out of old greeting cards to creating flower pots. There have even been classes on Pinochle and Rummikub.

One member not only organizes most of the bus trips, but he actually drives the bus! The Center expects to be offering an advanced computer class in the near future. Still another new activity is eighteen hole indoor mini-golf. The mini-golf foursomes play at the Pit Stop 271 in Mundys Corner. The golfers all seem to get a lot of laughs and enjoy the time spent there. Many at the Senior Center participate in projects that reach out to the community or benefit those who are less fortunate. One group of Seniors entertain by line dancing at various care centers around Johnstown. Another group of members show their way of caring by making lap robes for the shut-ins. According to Bob Seaman, Activities Director at the Center, "If enough interest is there in a particular activity or class, another fellow member usually comes forward to teach or instruct." He went on to say "The volunteers are the heart of the Center and without them, the Center could not exist".

SEWER EXPANSION UPDATE
Keller Engineers, appointed by the Jackson / East Taylor Sewer Authority has submitted the modified Act 537 plans to install new sewer line extensions to the Cherrywood & Brazil Lane areas of Jackson Township to the PaDEP in Pittsburgh and Ebensburg. The next step is submitting an application to Pennvest for a low interest loan. A meeting with Larry Gasperado of Pennvest will be scheduled to discuss the financial matters of the project. The Authority is pleased that the project is moving forward as planned.

SOLAR STREET EXTENSION WATER LINE CONSTRUCTION TO BEGIN
 Due to funding from CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) monies, Solar Street Extension will soon see a new water line constructed that will serve 8 families. Advertisement for bids will take place in April. The new line will become part of the Jackson Township Water Authority system. Karl Smith of the Jackson Twp. Water Authority said that there were few water problems during the Winter season. Currently they are working on installing new "scanner type" meters which will replace the current manual "read out" ones. The scanner type meters are more accurate on providing data on actual usage of water. The Authority also purchased a much-needed utility truck that will allow workers to carry most of the tools and equipment needed for performing work in the field. The Water Authority would also like to thank all of the customers that responded to the survey mailed out this past Winter for which there was a 96% response rate. The responses will prove beneficial in many ways that will benefit both the Authority and it’s customers as well.

JOIN JACKSON TOWNSHIP ONLINE NEWS
 Township residents who have access to the internet can now join our new email group to receive up-to-date Township news by email. Supervisor  Bruce Baker and Manager Dave Hirko came up with the idea of establishing an email group to help keep residents better informed. It is Supervisor Bruce Baker’s hope to help unify this great community of Jackson Township. We would like to invite you to join Jackson Township Online News where you can receive online newsletters, announcements, and important information concerning Jackson Township. To subscribe just go to the Jackson Township website at www.jacksontwppa.com and subscribe to the Jackson Township Online News by entering your email address in the space provided. You will then be sent a confirmation that you wish to subscribe to the online news. You must return the confirmation via email to be added to the newsletter list. We also encourage you to invite others to join. If you encounter any problem signing up, just email us at office@jacksontwppa.com  or call us at the Township office at 749-0725 and you can be added manually.

WEBSITE NOW OFFERS KIDSPAGE
 The Jackson Township Website now offers a special page for children of all ages. Just go to the website at www.jacksontwppa.com  and click on the button / link to visit the KidsPage. There are games, trivia, puzzles and over a hundred great links offering everything from homework help, research, safety, nature, Government, school websites to information on their favorite video games or television shows. We hope that the children of Jackson Township will want to visit the KidsPage on a regular basis and that it will be a great fun and educational resource for them to use and enjoy. For the grown-ups of Jackson Township, don’t forget that the website is updated regularlly and you can be updated with all the latest news and information including viewing the minutes of the Board of Supervisors monthly meetings. We hope to be adding additional information in the future and hope that you will ‘bookmark’ this website in your favorite places to keep up-to-date on your township. You can also contact the Jackson Township office at the following email address: office@jacksontwppa.com

PLANNING A BUILDING PROJECT?
 If you are planning on building a new building or adding on to an existing building, be sure to stop at the Township Office to apply for a building permit. Be sure to allow plenty of time to get your permit prior to building. By doing this, your permit can be addressed in plenty of time before you actually begin construction. No permits are necessary for remodeling an existing structure such as installing new roofing, siding, windows, etc. Also if you are planning to pave or alter your driveway, a driveway permit is required. Roadmasters Bruce Baker & Dave Bracken said that driveway permits are not to inconvenience residents but are to make sure there is a swale or pipe to direct stormwater. They also make sure that driveways are not higher than the road so snow plows don’t catch the edge of the driveway. When a driveway enters onto a Township road, a safe sight distance is also very important. PennDOT requires permits for driveways entering onto State roads within the Township.

Return