Union Twp. looks to future
McMURRAY – With the goal of advancing their small community, Union Township supervisors and staff held a retreat Saturday in Peters Township Public Library with consultant Michael Silvestri to discuss issues facing the municipality. Silvestri, former Peters Township manager, will make final recommendations to the group next month.
“The board changed a lot last year. There are board members who have been here for years and members with no experience,” said Chairwoman Deborah Sargent. “The community has been stagnant. We wanted to bring in someone with experience to help.”
After reaching out to several municipalities for mentorship, the board hired Silvestri late last year.
Silvestri identified issues with code enforcement, development and township staff as potential areas of improvement in the municipality, which has about 6,000 residents.
In the past year, supervisors appointed a new solicitor and engineer, changed their code enforcement officer and increased police coverage.
“We were reactive,” she said. “With the changes, we wanted to take the first step in being proactive. We want to run everything like a small business.”
Sargent said that while officials don’t want to mimic bustling Peters Township, they’d like to cultivate responsible development and increase services to their residents.
“We need to increase the tax base – whether that will be residential or commercial, we’re not sure.” Sargent said. “I’d like to see a balance.”
Areas of possible development include routes 88 and 43. Officials have been told a large retailer has plans for a plot of land on Route 88 in the area of Trax Farms and Mineral Beach.
“Increased traffic is obviously the major concern,” Sargent said.
After the closing of Mitchell Power Station, a coal-fired power plant, supervisors are looking into options for the deserted structure.
The board is also exploring the possibility of hiring a township manager. Now, duties are split between supervisors and staff.
In his preliminary report, Silvestri said the board needs to establish objectives for staff and a more organized process of communication. He also suggested the board ask themselves is they are prepared to delegate the day-to-day supervisory functions to a potential manager.
Other recommendations include meeting management, increasing grant applications and updating the zoning ordinance. Silvestri suggested improving communication with residents, including updating the township’s online presence.
“The meetings have a lot of people, so there’s interest in it,” he said. “I think (supervisors) are working in the right direction. There’s a lot of potential here.”