Gilpin Township board of supervisors Chairman Charles Stull announced his intention to create an Industrial and Economic Development Advisory Committee (IEDAC) for the township.
During the board’s most recent meeting, Mr. Stull wrote in a release that the mission of the committee will be to serve as a resource for the business community by supporting the growth of local business.
“The committee shall look at new and innovative ways to market existing businesses and industry in the community and attract new businesses and industry that will be complementary to our existing base,” he wrote in the release.
The purpose of the new committee will be to advise the board of supervisors on matters dealing with the advancement and expansion of industrial and economic development within the township, Mr. Stull added in the release.
He is seeking volunteers to serve on the committee who are either residents or owners of businesses in the township.
Mr. Stull wrote that committee members should expect to work closely with township businesses, the township planning commission, the township zoning officer, the board of supervisors, members of Leechburg Area School District board of education and Armstrong County’s board of commissioners, as well as non-government organizations such as the Leechburg Area Community Development Corp., Leechburg Area Community Association and any potential developers.
In addition to township residents and owners of businesses in the municipality, the committee will include two sitting township supervisors, Mr. Stull said.
He encouraged members of other township boards such as the planning commission, recreational authority, school board or other township-related organizations to apply to be on the committee.
Anyone interested in serving on the committee should provide a letter of interest to Chairman Stull at cstull@gilpintwp.com, or take it to the municipal building at 589 State Route 66, Leechburg, PA, 15656.
Though it has a Leechburg postal address, as many township residents have postal addresses containing the name of the nearest borough, the municipal building is in Gilpin Township.
Other meeting actions
During the township supervisors’ meeting on March 14, the supervisors also voted to keep action to accept Gilpin Leechburg Park tabled.
Speaking by phone, township Solicitor Tim Miller said Gilpin Township’s offer to accept the park from Armstrong County “caused great consternation,” as some officials aren’t sure if that would cause problems with a grant they are seeking for park improvements.
“Get the grant done first, then worry about transferring the park to Gilpin,” Attorney Miller advised.
Chairman Stull said Gilpin officials will meet with representatives of Armstrong County, Leechburg Borough and the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) to make sure the transfer of the property won’t mess up getting the DCNR grant.
The supervisors also declined a request from a resident to pay for around $2,500 in pipe to fix a drainage problem on his property.
“I think it’s a ‘no,’” Supervisor Kevin Miller said.
Added Supervisor Kris Kulick: “Who else in this room would like some pipe — that’s a problem.”
“That’s quite an expense to put on all the taxpayers,” Supervisors’ Chairman Stull said.
Mowing agreement sought
Ted Long, township road foreman, said PennDOT fixed a big problem at Truby Hill Road and Hungry Hollow Road in accord with an “agility agreement,” that allowed the Gilpin Township road crew to pay for the work by mowing the rights-of-way of state roads in Gilpin Township for five years.
He will seek to get an agreement to mow state road rights-of-way in the township for PennDOT for $8,174.80.
Police chief to receive award
Mr. Stull said he and SARPD Police Chief Chris Fabec will travel to Harrisburg on April 12 so that Chief Fabec can receive the Governor’s Award for Local Government Excellence.
He said Chief Fabec is receiving the award for forming the Southern Armstrong Regional Police Dept. to take over the work of policing formerly done by the separate Gilpin Township, Freeport Borough and Ford City Borough police departments.
