Communities encounter problems, no matter how hard they try to avoid them. That is not unusual.

What's important is that communities, when they encounter a troubling situation, are able to resolve it quickly. That apparently is going to happen in Butler Township regarding last year's tarring-and-chipping of about seven miles of township roads.

It has been determined that the work, which was performed by Russell Standard under a $126,932 contract with the municipality, is deteriorating at a much faster rate than what normally would be expected.

Roads that have been double sealed — the work performed last year — typically have a life span of at least four years. Township officials believe the work in question will not endure that long.

Thanks to the positive working relationship that exists between the township and Russell Standard, the company has agreed to redo last year's work in the spring. In addition, the company has provided a street sweeper to the township at no cost so stones breaking loose prematurely can be swept from the roadways.

According to Fred Spohn, road superintendent, the township has had to sweep the roadways two and, in some cases, three times, as opposed to the usual one time.

Sometimes communities endure months of uncertainty and anxiety over problems that are encountered. Thanks to township and Russell Standard officials' willingness to cooperatively deal with the facts of this situation, that isn't happening in this case.