A Norwegian Township man informed the supervisors Monday that damage was caused to his property, possibly by a snowplow.
Tom Shappell said his metal trailer cart sustained damage recently while it was parked in an alley behind Spruce Street. Shappell said he fixed the minor damage and did not want compensation, but he wanted the supervisors to know about it. He showed pictures of the damage he took with his cellphone to the supervisors during their monthly meeting.
“I don’t want to make a big deal out of it,” he said.
Shappell said he thinks a plow might have hit the cart.
Supervisor Stanley Petchulis said he went to check out the damage but couldn’t see it.
“The problem is you should not have it on that narrow alley,” Petchulis said.
Shappell said he will move the cart if he is told to do so.
Supervisor Leo Grace said there is one plow driver who is responsible for that area and he will talk to him.
Supervisor Robert Kirwan said the township drivers are not penalized if they cause damage, but they are suppose to inform the supervisors.
“I don’t even know if we plow that alley,” Kirwan said.
He said Shappell could come into the office and fill out a report. However, Shappell said that was not needed.
Kirwan said he apologizes if a plow driver was at fault.
“I assure you they didn’t hit it intentionally,” he said,
In related business, private snowplow drivers are moving snow not where it is supposed to go. The snow is being pushed in front of other homes and near the end of roads.
The township has an ordinance prohibiting this action and a fine could be issued.
Kirwan said most of the private plow drivers are respectful when it comes to moving snow, but not all.
“When two of them were approached (Monday) about it, they gave our employees a hard time about it,” Kirwan said. He did not identify the drivers.
Township solicitor B.J. Evans said the supervisors might want to talk to the homeowners about the issue.
In other business, about 120 people have not paid their annual trash bills this year. An extra $40 will be owed on top of the more than $60 that was due by Jan. 31. If the fee is not paid by March 31, the township will not collect the trash.