Upper OKs Paving Project, Street Lights

PETERSBURG – Upper Township Committee met Nov. 7.
Committee approved recognition of John DeSalvo for “his generous contribution of time and materials toward the sealing of the parking lot at Caldwell Park.”
Committee member Hobart Young noted that DeSalvo wanted to do something for the community since he and his family are “blessed to live in Upper” and Caldwell Park is a favorite area for his children that very much needed repair.
The committee unanimously passed two ordinances. The first vacated a portion of Otis Avenue. The other revised Upper’s regulations on solid waste and recyclables. It addresses the use of small mini-dumpsters (three yards) for commercial properties for the disposing of solid waste and recyclables.
The committee clarified that if a commercial business wanted to erect an enclosure for its dumpster that a site review would not be required.
Under new business, the committee considered two requests for better street lighting, one at White Oak Drive in Palermo and the other on Argoe Drive in Seaville. 
Both requests were approved. Funding for the erection of those two lights will be made from the Developer Fund, at no cost to the township.
The committee also accepted the bid results for the 2016 paving project. The township will be paving 60 miles of roadway.
Some work will begin in December, depending on the weather. However, it is anticipated that the bulk of the work will be done in the spring. Notices will be sent to residents who reside on the affected streets informing them of the timelines for paving.
The committee further considered Tom and Laurie Jones’ request to establish a “No Passing Zone” along Route 50 near the 200 block. This item was discussed at the previous meeting with township Engineer Paul Dietrich promising to check with relevant officials about how to proceed.
The township agreed to draft a resolution requesting the Department of Transportation to approve a “No Passing Zone” for this section of Route 50.
It was reported that the township just completed its flood certification with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and as a result residents can expect, effective Oct. 1, 2017, a 5 percent reduction in their flood insurance premiums.
On Nov. 8, two seats on the committee, as well as four seats on the school board, were up for vote.
Incumbent Committee members John Coggins and Hobie Young were running unopposed for reelection with the support of the local Republican organization. They had defeated Jon Grubb in the Republican primary in June.
No independent candidate was running and no Democratic Party candidate has run for office in Upper for more than 10 years.
In 2013, Coggins and Young ran as independents and won the general election. The only contest regarding committee is the replacement of Jeffrey Pierson, who resigned from committee Oct. 24, to serve as a freeholder for the remaining year of Kristine Gabor’s term.
Interested residents to fill Pierson’s seat had until Oct. 28 to submit letters of interest. The top three vote-getters will be submitted to Committee for a selection 30 days from Oct. 24. 
Township municipal offices will be closed Nov. 11 for Veterans Day.
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.