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Residents tell Salem supervisors Quarry Drive hauling is damaging road; board clarifies exemptions
Summary
Multiple residents told the board that heavy dirt-hauling and frequent tri-axle loads were damaging Quarry Drive. Supervisors inspected the site, said the road is posted at 10 tons, instructed a resident to stop work, and clarified that farmers and local deliveries are exempt from the new weight restrictions.
At the Feb. 24 special meeting, several residents raised concerns that heavy hauling to private property was damaging Quarry Drive and nearby streets. Resident Chad Shifko told the board he had been hauling large amounts of dirt onto his property; neighbors alerted the township because the activity was harming the posted roadway.
Supervisor Todd Paulich said he visited the site and "asked Chad to stop work because the road is posted with a 10-ton weight limit and it should have been bonded." Residents pressed for clarity on enforcement and scope: Tim Kepple asked, "Is it 2 loads or 6?" and whether the township would enforce against established businesses. Supervisor Kerry Jobe responded that local deliveries and farmer activity are considered exempt and said Orrs, a pre-existing business, could not simply be shut down.
The minutes indicate Quarry Drive was posted with a 10-ton limit but was not on the township's restricted-roadways exhibit before this meeting; that mismatch prompted the board to add the roadway to the official list. The board did not record a detailed enforcement mechanism or penalty schedule in the minutes; supervisors said they would audit other roads and consider adding more postings to the restricted list in future sessions.
The exchange underscores tensions between private hauling, road maintenance responsibilities, and the limits of township enforcement when businesses pre-date restrictions. Residents seeking action should expect follow-up at regular meetings and the special meeting set to address personnel matters and enforcement planning.
