BUTLER TWP — The cost of plowing snow and salting streets in the township in January was $113,000.

The cost included spreading 1,500 tons of salt, which cost $95,500, and 434 hours of overtime for the road department costing $18,000, said Joseph Wiest, the township commissioner who oversees the department.

Crews made 22 salt spreading runs over the 186 lane miles of township road during the month, he said.

“We average about a pound (of salt) every foot we move,” Wiest said.

He advised residents not to be alarmed by the cost.

“Don't get scared. It's only $113,000,” Wiest said.

For all of 2018, the township used 4,000 tons of salt and paid 1,000 hours of overtime wages, he said.

Commissioners and Dave Meeder, public works director, commended the road crew for keeping roads clear.

In unrelated business, the commissioners approved a new fee resolution that includes some new and increased fees.

A $250 fee and $100 deposit for park rental on a township observed holiday is among the new fees. The fee for a hearing before the zoning hearing board increased to $400, the annual commercial building fire code inspection increased $50 for a building up to 2,000 square feet and the above-ground swimming pool inspection fee increased to $135.

In other business, the township volunteer fire department is conducting initial interviews with candidates for the new part-time fire administrator's position.

The commissioners created the position after creating a joint fire chief position with Butler and the fire marshal resigned after accepting the chief's job last year.

The department will send the list of recommended candidates to the commissioners who will conduct the final interviews, said Tom Knights, township manager.

A job requirement is that the administrator must be a fire department member in good standing, Knights said.

He said the goal is to fill the position by the end of the month.