Ralpho Twp. street crews can't plow 'paper streets'

By Domenick Moore (Staff Writer domenick_m@newsitem.com)
Published: March 11, 2010

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ELYSBURG - The recent spate of winter weather has township residents who live on paper streets up in arms over the lack of plowing by street crews, according to township supervisors.

But according to supervisors, paper streets aren't considered township property. Maintenance is up to the residents.

"We only plow roads that are township roads because of liquid fuels," Solicitor Todd Kerstetter said at Tuesday's meeting.

"Paper streets are private property," Supervisor Ed Payeskie said. "We don't take township equipment on private property." He noted that paper roads are like driveways.

"If we plowed paper streets, we'd have to plow everybody's driveway," Kerstetter said.

Payeskie said the township streets were fine, as were the state roads.

"I think the state's doing a fine job with the state roads in our area," Payeskie said.

In other news, the township is considering an agreement with Sunrise Energy Ventures to utilize solar power for the municipal building.

Sunrise Energy Ventures (SEV) develops, owns, operates, monitors and maintains commercial to industrial scale solar photovoltaic (PV) equipment, according to its Web site. SEV uses beneficial tax incentives - state and federal tax credits and accelerated depreciation - and utility production incentives to provide a revenue stream to its customers. SEV has a range of opportunities and will construct a custom program based on client-specific needs and desires.

If the township enters into a partnership with SEV, according to Payeskie, it wouldn't cost Ralpho Township a dime, but it wouldn't make any money, either. SEV would pay to design and install the solar array, and would pick up the 30 percent federal reimbursement grants associated with the project.

The only true benefit the township would gain would be the ability to point to the municipal building as a green structure.

"The worst case," Payeskie said, "is we feel good about something like that."

President Blaine Madara pointed out that the solar array might not provide enough power. The deficit might need to be covered through PPL.

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1 posted comments

Yes but I still pay taxes you jerks in Ralpho and I am moving to Shamokin Township, less crowded, less taxes, and far less dictatorship
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harry,  03/11/10 6:26