Plains Township approves $124,486.56 payment to paving contractor amid resident complaints over millings and runoff

The Plains Township Board of Commissioners voted Sept. 12 to authorize payment application #1 for the 2024 Plains Township Paving Project, approving $124,486.56 to American Asphalt despite questions from residents about millings dumped near Clark Street.

Solicitor Menn told the board the engineer addressed a reported problem with millings and that the paving contract is not complete, so some monies will be retained. The motion to pay was carried with Commissioner Peter J. Biscontini voting against the payment; the transcript records the motion was seconded and approved by the remaining commissioners.

Resident complaints about millings and sediment were raised during public comment. Janet Kashuda told the board that millings were dumped on a residential parcel, a dozer is parked on-site and sediment is washing onto Clark Street; she said the pile increased after the Aug. 8 meeting and asked the township to test the material for toxicity. “When we first came back from vacation the first pile was dumped then after the August 8th meeting more showed up,” Kashuda said, adding she wants toxicity testing and a clearer plan from the property owner.

Zoning officer Karen said she is awaiting a response from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), which had until Sept. 16 to reply, and that part of the rear property had been associated with a BAMR-related grant process; she said she would try to contact Stell Enterprises and the property owner for clarification. Chairman Gerald Yozwiak said Karen will reach out to the owner and that the board will pursue the matter within its legal authority.

Separately, resident Deb Bronack reported an episode on Aug. 24 when a large volume of clear water gushed from the Driftwood area down to Clark Street for several hours. She said she contacted the sewer authority and did not receive a callback and asked whether the water could be contaminated. Commissioners said they would check with the Plains Township Sewer Authority, the fire department and PA American Water to determine the source; a definitive source was not recorded in the meeting transcript.

The board’s action to pay American Asphalt was accompanied by a public inquiry about the millings and runoff; Solicitor Menn emphasized that the engineer had addressed the issue and that standard contract retention applies while completion and corrective work remain outstanding. The board did not announce a formal testing plan at the meeting; DEP and zoning follow-up were the stated next steps.