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Board tables PennDOT winter‑maintenance agreement after liability and drift concerns
Summary
Huntington Township tabled a proposed five‑year winter‑maintenance agreement with PennDOT for 7.5 lane‑miles after supervisors and a former road worker warned the payment ($8,100 per year with a 2% escalation) would not cover drift‑prone roads and raised liability concerns; the board asked for a liability review and will revisit next month.
The Huntington Township Board of Supervisors voted to table consideration of a five‑year winter‑maintenance agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation at its Aug. 8 meeting after supervisors and a longtime township road worker raised concerns about drifting, heavy snow and potential liability.
The proposed agreement would transfer winter maintenance responsibility for roughly 7.5 lane‑miles (Snyder Road, Slabaugh Town Road and Oxford Road segments) to the township in exchange for annual payments the officials identified as $8,100, with a 2% increase each year and an adjustment in the event of a severe winter. Roadmaster and supervisors explained the arrangement had been offered by PennDOT to municipalities to address staffing shortfalls.
Several speakers said the proposed payment would not cover equipment wear, employee time and salt for drifting and hilly sections. One longtime road worker advised against taking on the roads, saying the area experiences exceptional drifting and that added responsibility would impose liability and operational stress on township crews.
Supervisor 11 moved to table the agreement pending review of liability and contractual terms; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. The board asked staff and the solicitor to review the agreement language and report back at the next meeting.
