The craters of March

LINDA DROLLINGER
Posted 8/21/12

BEACH LAKE, PA — “It’s like a cavity. You go to the dentist when it’s small and he fixes it. But if you do nothing about it for years, you’ve got big trouble.” Addressing Berlin Township …

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The craters of March

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BEACH LAKE, PA — “It’s like a cavity. You go to the dentist when it’s small and he fixes it. But if you do nothing about it for years, you’ve got big trouble.” Addressing Berlin Township supervisors at their March 15 meeting, John Marshall of Marshall Machinery was talking about Cosgrove Road.

“It could be a tank trap or Ho Chi Minh Trail,” said Marshall, who added that the situation hadn’t developed overnight. Marshall went on, “[Supervisor and former roadmaster] Charlie [Gries] and I have gotten into it before about the condition of Cosgrove Road.”

Emergency Management Coordinator Rich Miller complained that township roads were not just full of potholes, they were full of craters. “I’m talking about something you drive down into on one side and out of on the other.”

Supervisor and roadmaster Rob Mahon said the town will begin grading roads as soon as the frost has left them.

Marshall persisted, asking if roadmasters had available to them any kind of training in road maintenance, repair and paving. From his seat among the spectators, former supervisor Paul Henry answered that question for the roadmasters: “Yes, Pennsylvania offers free training to its municipalities.”

Marshall said roadmasters should definitely take advantage of it. Then he inquired about the township’s road-repair heavy-equipment inventory. “Have you got a decent roller?” he asked.

“We do,” said roadmaster Cathy Hunt. “It’s only a couple of years old and in good condition.”

“Is it a Victoria?” asked Marshall.

“It is,” answered the three supervisors with one voice.

“Good,” said Marshall.

He had one more question and suggestion for the supervisors, “Do you inspect township roads every two weeks or so? If not, then you should.”

A smiling Mahon ended the public participation segment saying, “I think you’re going to be happy with the results of the grading.”

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