ADAMS TWP — Another resident has complained about the township’s mowing contract for the township park.

Russell Aiken told the township supervisors Monday night that the contractor who mows the 103-acre township park mows slowly because he is paid by the hour.

He said the township budgeted $30,000 in 2016 for the mowing contract, which he said is a job the public works crew could complete.

Aiken also complained about the same individual getting the contract year after year.

“I feel he has been shielded long enough,” Aiken said.

At the April township meeting, resident Ron Shemela complained about the amount paid to the contractor.

Supervisor Russ Ford said Monday night that Shemela’s concerns were addressed, and that the supervisors would have no further comment on the matter.

But Ford pointed out that the township advertises the contract each year, and the current contractor is the only one who submits a bid.

“If this is such a concern to so many people, I suggest they get some tractors and bid,” Ford told Aiken.

After the meeting, supervisors Vice President Tom Franceschina said changes made since Shemela’s complaints include new invoice forms and having both public works director John Hock and supervisors Chairman Donald Aiken sign off on the contractor’s invoices.

He said the $30 per hour the contractor charges is not excessive because he uses his own equipment, plus the township does not have to pay the health care and other costs of an employee.

Franceschina said the township does not have the right equipment to mow such a huge area, and buying that equipment would be cost prohibitive.

“Those mowers cost $40,000 to $50,000 and with fuel, wages, insurance and overtime, it would be far more than that,” Franceschina said.

He said it would also be difficult to schedule a township employee to mow the park plus complete other tasks due to the weather and special events scheduled at the park.

Aiken said the contractor charges $30 to $100 per hour, but Franceschina said the contractor’s rate is $30 per hour.

“I don’t know where (Aiken) got $100 per hour,” Franceschina said.

He also said that Monday night was the first time the supervisors heard the complaint that the contractor intentionally cuts the grass slowly.

Donald Aiken said he would not address Russell Aiken’s complaints because the two men are related.