MIDDLESEX TWP — Supervisors took a look at various township projects during a meeting Wednesday night.

Overbrook road culvert

In June, the supervisors asked township engineer Jeff Mikesic to gather specifications and cost estimates for installing a new culvert on Overbrook Road past the Middlesex Crossing development area.

Mikesic presented the information he gathered to the supervisors Wednesday.

“This is the permitting for the placement of that culvert,” Mikesic said. “This is going to be a ... GP-11 permit from DEP.”

A GP-11 permit is secured for the maintenance or replacement of water obstructions and encroachments, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

The next step is to survey and map out a plan for the area and coordinate with DEP to update the project permit. Mikesic provided supervisors with a cost estimate of $7,850 for that part of the process.

Mike Spreng, supervisors chairman, said the township may be able to install the culvert instead of contracting out the work. He wants to have a better look at the plans before making a decision.

“I want to see what the print looks like,” Spreng said.

Supervisors voted to have Mikesic move forward with the permitting process.

Signal application

Mikesic said the township needs to file an application with PennDOT for reviewing a new traffic signal for the Route 228 corridor realignment project.

Engineers need for the signal plans to be reviewed at Harbison and Park roads by July 30, he said.

The application is PennDOT-internal and doesn't cost the township any money. The township will retain ownership of the signal after it's installed.

Supervisors approved filing the application for signal approval.

Sports complex

Michael Hnath, township solicitor, said plans for a proposed multisport complex behind the township building that were discussed last year were temporarily paused because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Although construction was potentially slated for this fall, Hnath anticipates the project is now on the back burner because of the pandemic.

“I'm assuming that's off the books, at least for now,” Hnath said. “We'll take a look next year and see where we stand.”

Hnath said he reached out to the professionals associated with the project's planning to let them know things have been postponed.

Preliminary tax numbers

Adam Hartwig, township manager, said he had Berkheimer Associates take an early look at expected earned income tax revenues moving forward.

“I asked (them) to run some preliminary projections,” Hartwig said, “as far as the impact of the coronavirus.”

Historically, Hartwig said the township brings in about $600,000 per quarter.

Hartwig said while it's not a “foolproof method,” early calculations indicate the township might face a reduction of $17,000 to $18,000 per month.

The numbers will become clearer as the year progresses.

“Toward the end of July, we'll have a better idea,” Hartwig said.

Residential stormwater

A resident approached supervisors Wednesday with stormwater concerns.

George Heckman, who lives along Chan Mowr Drive, said he's had ongoing stormwater issues for several years.

Heckman said his property gets a “pond” when it rains.

“Six years ago, I approached the township to repair a storm sewer problem on my property. Well, actually, it's on your right of way,” Heckman said. “Nothing was done.”

Heckman said he wanted to know when a five-foot pipe could be installed to connect old and new stormwater drainage around his property.

Spreng said he wanted to verify the pipe would be part of the township's original stormwater system.

“There's a lot of that right up through there that was put in (as) private pipe,” Spreng said. “If we didn't put that pipe in originally, that was your pipe.”

Spreng said the township would confirm responsibility. If it falls in the township's jurisdiction, Spreng said he'd have it fixed.