Silver Creek board plans road tour, seeks county grant for Gowan & 134th and to address chip-seal damage

The Silver Creek Township Board of Supervisors agreed July 16 to pursue county grant funding for road work at Gowan and 134th and to undertake a road tour to set priorities for chip sealing, dust control and other routine maintenance.

Chairman Chris Newman and maintenance staff said the county has approved funding for townships but that a formal township application is required. Maintenance worker Chris Klein will compile the application material and work with Deputy Clerk Julie Urbatch and county staff member Elizabeth Karels to complete the submission before the grant period ends.

The board heard a maintenance report identifying several near-term tasks: shouldering left to complete on 119th and 120th and all dead ends, ditch cleaning on 95th St NW, an oil leak on a Ziegler vehicle, and damage to chip seal on 155th St attributed to a contractor. The maintenance report also called for obtaining quotes for tree trimming and sending letters to two residents whose driveways were reported to have damaged township roads.

Vice Chairman Mike Helman said the board will review residents' requests for chip sealing on 105th St and Amery Ave during the planned road tour and will discuss funding at budget time. Chair Newman, Mr. Klein and Road Authority Sandy Forsman will first inspect the township's current pit (referred to as Starry) before placing the item on a future agenda in August or September for full-board consideration.

The board authorized an "as needed" approach for dust-control budgeting; maintenance will follow up with the deputy clerk to incorporate stabilization work into budget planning.

The board did not vote on specific contracts or a chip-seal schedule at the meeting; it directed staff to gather information, obtain quotes, and return the item for formal action at a later date.