Ross Township supervisors announced they are seeking spring roadwork bids, hired a new lawn care service and hired a part-time secretary at their monthly meeting Monday evening.

“We have about $251,000 from the liquid fuel account, which is less than last year’s amount,” said Vice Chairman David Shay.

Road Foreman Ethan Brewer said there are sections of three roads that should be done first. These are Rolling Hills to Dogwood overlay, Ramble Wood Drive and Crestwood Court. He said Oakwood Court and Pine Court, which are both cul-de-sacs, need work and suggested adding them if there is money left.

“We can pick and choose. Let’s list each road bid separately. We won’t get them all done, but let’s see the numbers,” said Shay.

In addition to liquid fuels money, they also used money from the general fund to complete last year’s roadwork.

However, due to the current high fuel prices and rising material prices, Shay suggested moving $200,000 from the general fund into the capital account for use next year.

“We do not want to think we have that money and then spend it on something else. Let’s move it now and have it for future use,” Shay said. “It will earn interest.”

The township is changing lawn care services due to a retirement.

George Washburn, of Washburn Lawn Service, was in attendance to formally say goodbye and thank the supervisors for their support the past several years.

“At my I age, I just cannot do it anymore,” he said.

Brewer had received two letters of interest from other lawn care companies. The supervisors reviewed each and voted to hire Altemose and Son Lawn Care at a rate of $365 per cut.

These conditions must be met, Shay said, “They cannot drive over the pavers on the memorial. They cannot use weed killers because we do not want the dogs at the park to get sick. They must provide proof of insurance.”

The other two supervisors agreed with the conditions.

Supervisors had been talking for months about hiring a part-time secretary to assist full-time Secretary-Treasurer Danielle Romano, as well as serve as the planning commission’s secretary.

The supervisors recently interviewed a candidate.

“She seemed ambitious and she’s willing to get training needed to be the planning commission’s secretary,” said Chairman James Zahoroiko.

He and Supervisor Randy Detrick voted in favor of hiring the candidate for 20 hours a week, at $15 per hour. Shay voted against it.

All along, he has said the township does not need a part-time secretary to assist Romano. He felt hiring a planning commission secretary for 16 hours a month was sufficient and more cost-effective.

In other business

• A Ross supervisor will attend the West End Parks and Open Space Commission’s board meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Chestnuthill Township building. WEPOSC executive director Bernie Kozen is retiring soon, and the organization is in the process of restructuring. According to the supervisors, restructuring could mean less input from the individual townships that currently participate.

“I am upset that we’re being kicked out after the money we put in,” said Howard Beers, a former Ross Township supervisor, who was in the audience Monday evening. Supervisors thanked Kozen for the grants he wrote for their playground and walking trail, as well as the special events he planned, like the annual Easter egg hunt and visits with Santa.

• The permit free yard sale will be May 21 and 22. Residents may have yard sales at their property without having to purchase a permit.

• Zahoroiko and Detrick are researching laptop speed, memory, and prices and will present the information at the April meeting. They want to purchase two for the secretaries, in lieu of upgrading the personal computers with towers. That way, if inclement weather or an unforeseen circumstance arises, they can work remotely. Shay is not in favor of the pending laptop purchases.