In response to requests by residents over increased coal truck traffic on local roads, Schuylkill Township supervisors have dusted off a 36-year-old court order and given it a close read. During the meeting Wednesday, the supervisors voted to contact the coal company to let them know they'd like to review the court order.

Since 1978, the Tuscarora Coal Company has transported coal and related products through Middleport borough and Schuylkill Township, subject to the terms of a court order requiring the coal company to pay each municipal entity $1,000 yearly to cover the cost of wear-related road maintenance and also that magistrates impose maximum fines on company employees or independent contractors who violate speed limits or fail to secure loads with their trucks.In July 1976, Tuscarora Coal Company acquired a tract of land in neighboring Blythe Township and completed a coal preparation plant by March 1977.In December 1976, the former state highway Route 209 was abandoned by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the new Route 209 was opened, which meant the former Route 209 became a local road.In June 1977, Middleport adopted an ordinance making it unlawful to operate a vehicle with a gross weight over 12 tons on old Route 209, now called Valley Road.In October 1977, Schuylkill Township adopted an ordinance making it unlawful to operate a vehicle with a gross weight over 8 tons.But Valley Road, the former Route 209, is the only access road Tuscarora Coal Company could use, and in October 1977, the company filed a civil complaint against Middleport and Schuylkill Township. To resolve the differences between the parties, the Court of Common Pleas developed the stipulation of yearly payments and increased fines for speed or unsecured-load violations.During Wednesday's meeting, township resident Joe Yesavage said that due to changes in traffic patterns in Middleport, where a section of road is closed to truck traffic because of weight restrictions on a bridge, more coal trucks are traveling local roads."Schuylkill Township is taking the brunt of the abuse with the truck traffic, speed and weight violations, and not to mention the health hazard with diesel fuel emissions and the dust from the trucks," Yesavage said, reading from a prepared statement. "Valley Street looks like a road coming out of a stripping pit."The supervisors directed solicitor Mike Greek to draft a letter to the coal company, which is under new ownership.In other action, the supervisors:Voted to take steps to remove a stop sign in Brockton at the intersection of Valley and Emerick streets.Granted the request of Tuscarora resident Tom Miller to park vehicles on Strawberry Street. Currently a township ordinance prohibits parking along the road. Miller asked to be able to park along the road at least from April through October, and the supervisors said they would take steps to amend the ordinance.Accepted three "Right to Know" requests from resident Paul Benulis, who is seeking a copy of the township's garbage contract, correspondence related to a recent Pennsylvania Department of Transportation traffic study and copies of bills to the township from Arro Engineering. During his public comments, Benulis targeted township secretary Mary Bubel, questioning her salary and the fee she is paid monthly to cover travel expenses. On average Bubel makes 20 trips a month to make bank deposits and complete various township business, and she is paid a flat fee of $150. Bubel uses her personal vehicle. Each month the supervisors are provided copies of the treasurer's report; Benulis also requested that the supervisors print extra copies of the report so he can review them. Supervisor Chuck Fayash directed Bubel to print extra copies for him, and said he would then make copies available to Benulis and residents. However, each month's treasurer's report is not a public document until it is voted upon by the supervisors.After the meeting, Bubel said she didn't understand why Benulis would question her salary or travel expense stipend. She pointed out that the financial audit of the township for 2013 had no findings or deficiencies. Also, she said, she and former supervisor Linda DeCindio put in countless volunteer hours in obtaining a $500,000 Department of Community and Economic Development grant for a water line improvement project in Tuscarora, awarded in November 2013."I love this township," Bubel said.