Published: January 08, 2008 12:28 am      

Cambria Township supervisors face challenges in ’08

EBENSBURG — Robert Shook will continue as chairman of the Cambria Township supervisors this year, as they face the challenges of road improvements and a precedent-setting comprehensive plan with other municipalities.

At a reorganization meeting Monday, supervisors re-elected Shook chairman and Dave Hoover vice chairman. Dennis Govachini was reappointed township solicitor.

Shook said most complaints supervisors receive are about unpaved rural roads.

“Almost 60 road miles need attention, and we’re working toward that,” he said.

The township’s most long-range project for 2008 is its role as one of three municipalities in the 18-month-old Central Cambria Coalition, along with Ebensburg and Jackson Township.

The group has benefited from about $100,000 in shared services grants to buy a street sweeper and road paving machine, and the 2008 objective is to prepare a multimunicipal comprehensive plan.

Shook said another main issue will be the condition of a bridge on Beulah Road, though it is a railroad structure.

“Apparently it cannot be removed, and the state Public Utility Commission will be holding a hearing,” he said.

It’s a state road, and township officials do not want to get stuck with maintenance costs, he said.

Another issue will be traffic and new development in Crestwood Estates on New Germany Road.

Supervisors are preparing an ordinance that will outlaw any impediment, like spikes, too close to the edge of the road.

Such yard items have made it hard to park let alone plow, supervisors have said.

Also at Monday’s meeting, Norma Cicero was reappointed township secretary and treasurer, and Terry Shulsky was reappointed township zoning officer.