GROVE TOWNSHIP MONTHLY MEETING
July 15, 2026
July 16, 2026, meeting was called to order at 5.00pm
Present: Brandie Sherry, Melvin Kehl, Robert Bushor, Jim Howard
Absent:
Visitors: Dale Wood, Elizabeth Stoner
APPROVAL OF June MINUTES
- Motion made to accept June minutes as read by Robert Bushor and seconded by Melvin Kehl
- All in favor, aye, passed
APPROVAL OF June TREASURER’S REPORT
- Motion made to accept by Robert Bushor and seconded by Jim Howard
- All in favor, aye, passed
SECRETARY REPORT
Several years ago, Driftwood borough, Gibson Township and Grove Township passed a ordinance that the three would use one EMA coordinator for the Southern Cameron County area, now the EMA office would like us to update this agreement.
Motion made to update the EMA agreement was made by Robert Bushors and seconded by Jim Howard. Aill in favor, aye, passed.
During our liquid fuels audit, we had several findings. Liquid fuels funds should not have been used to pay for the used gas F-550 because CoStars did not apply. Some roadside mowing expenses were also rejected because of how the bill was written. As a result, we must repay $15,045 to the liquid fuels account from the General Fund.
We are invited to the Elk County Convention it will be held August 6th this year at the Johnsburg Fire Department if anyone is interested in attending.
ROADMASTER REPORT
Jim Howard has been mowing roadsides with the mower. He has also mowed behind the park, the park parking area, and the full length of Jerry Run Road. Crestline and Jericho still need to be completed, and Lick Island needs to be mowed again. After that, we will monitor the areas to determine whether additional mowing is needed this year.
Jim contacted Jefferson Paving and Volmer Paving, and both companies said they are unavailable to complete the road work. The township will advertise the project for bids in the newspaper.
This work will include getting about 30 feet on both sides of the bridges on Jerry Run Road to slow down the bigger rocks from tearing up the decking material of the bridges, The township will do the prep work that is needed on the roads to save money. Also want the cracks sealed on the roads where it is needed, as well as tar and chip the whole Wykoff Run bridge on Jerry Run Rd.
PARK REPORT
Brandie received a quote from Action Graphic in Clearfield for a new park sign. The sign will be made of polymetal, a PVC core sheet with thin aluminum facing on both sides and will be 6 mm thick. The township will need to replace the eye bolts with C-style clamps to hang the sign. The sign will cost $714.00, with an additional $290.00 if Action Graphic installs it.
Jim Howard made a motion to purchase the new park sign from Action Graphic. Melvin Kehl seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion passed.
BUSINESS
Jim, suggest we send an official letter to the conservation district about the dip in Jericho Road.
A motion was made by Robert Bushor and seconded by Jim Howard to pay bills as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Next regular meeting will be held on August 12 ,2026, starting at 5:00 at Grove Township building.
Public Comment
Elizabeth had no comment.
Dale: asked what trailer on Eva’s way was in the process of cleaning up the blight and it was cleared up that I was referring to Anglers Path, and I will fix that in last month’s minutes.
Dale asked whether the new mower could reach over guide rails and how wide an area it can cut. Jim answered that it can reach over the guide rail and cuts approximately 5 feet. Depending on the terrain, it may be able to mow farther without repositioning.
Dale stated that after last month’s meeting he realized he did not get his point across to who he thinks should be paying the garbage bill in Grove Township. So here he goes again, he recruited two locals to do the counting and came up with these numbers.
580 camps plus he is sure they missed some behind gates, Lake View has 8 or more hookups for campers, Northern Horizon 11 hookups for campers, Old Johnsons Restaurant just counted campers, Louge’s just counted campers, 3 lots for sale by Walt Boden did not count. As far as Grove Township residents, they came up with 38 residents with 9 who work and 29 that are retired. There are 4 houses for sale which will leave at least 2 working residents gone and possibly 2 retired people gone.
At the present time retired residents make up 5% of the Township’s 612 taxpayers. In the next 5 years one can only guess what the number of residents will be.
With these numbers I see no reason for a retired person in Grove Township to pay a Garbage tax ($2,900.00) if so take it out of the general fund and give the retired people a break or add $5.00 extra to each camper’s garbage tax and it will pay for every retired resident. The locals are not the ones filling up the dumpster.
One must come to grips that Grove Township has become a camping and tourist destination. They are paying thousands of dollars for houses or camps on private or leased grounds. And if one searches the tax records you will find many air b&b’s and rentals. These people are not leaving they are looking to buy anything that comes up for sale at a reasonable price.
It’s time to give the local retired residents a break.
The board of Supervisors asked Brandie to talk to Paul Maliza to see Dale’s suggestion is legal, and she will also gather the numbers for trash collection and dumpster cost for this year. The supervisors are looking at an increase in the trash bills due to the fact the cost of each dumpster went from $350 to $495.
The motion was made by Robert Bushor and seconded by Jim Howard to adjourn the July 15, 2026, meeting at 5:50. Motion was carried unanimously.