Eldred Township names new supervisor

Gary Hoffman was appointed Wednesday night to replace Sharon Solt as Eldred Township supervisor.Earlier this week Eldred Township supervisors Mary Anne Clausen and Joann Bush accepted Solt’s resignation.“We need to fill this position quickly,” said Clausen. “We need someone who knows the township and someone who already has proven that they are willing to work for the township.”Hoffman currently serves on the Planning Commission and is the township’s emergency coordinator. Hoffman is the director of communications for the Monroe County Control Center.The appointment will become effective on May 20 after Hoffman has officially resigned his position with the planning commission.In other township business the supervisors accepted bids for road materials. Hanson Aggregates was the only bidder for various road materials. Schiffer Bituminous will supply oil at a cost of $54,000 and Midland will supply the seal coat for $112,084.80.The materials will be used to repair portions of the township’s 35 miles of road.The township constables made a request that the supervisors adopt a resolution regarding the time that visitors to the West End Food Pantry can begin to line up on distribution days. In the past few months people have been arriving earlier and earlier to get into line.“We have tried to explain to the people who come so early that everyone will get the same amount of food,” said pantry volunteer Donna Deihl. “But they still start lining up as early as 4 a.m.”Since the pantry does not open its doors until 9 a.m. the township will issue a resolution banning people from entering the property before 8 a.m. to make it easier for the constables to keep things under control.The supervisors also agreed to add security cameras to the township building. The system will include five cameras and a monitor and recorder. The system will be purchased and installed by AID Security Systems at a cost of $1,600.The meeting this week also included a discussion on a burn ordinance for the township. Clausen acknowledged that there have been a number of complaints but without the ordinance it is difficult to enforce any restrictions.“Based on the discussions we have had I will be drafting an ordinance and it will be available for residents to give their input,” Clausen said.