Over the past three years, Wayne Township has made improvements to public meetings, recreation, equipment, safety, and access to Township information. We have worked to make these improvements while remaining financially responsible.
We created a Township website and began livestreaming meetings so residents can stay informed even when they cannot attend in person. We installed American and Pennsylvania flags in the meeting room, began reciting the Pledge of Allegiance before meetings, and replaced cafeteria tables with a proper meeting room setup.
We created a Recreation Board that organizes multiple community events. Solicited donations pay for the majority of those events. We painted the concession stand and playground equipment and replaced the foul ball poles at the ball field.
We appointed a municipal code enforcement officer, established needed new ordinances, and clarified wording in existing ordinances. We updated fire extinguishers to address insurance requirements and started replacing aging street signs, including signs that are unreadable and some that date back to when the roads were still state roads.
We also updated much of the Township’s outdated equipment through financially responsible means, including selling unusable equipment that had sat for years. The Township secured $742,734.68 in grant awards for road, water meter, fire protection, accessibility, and community projects. Some of those funded projects are still in progress.
There is substantial work ahead on our roads. Water is the enemy of a road. When it sits on the surface or soaks into the road base, the road weakens and breaks down. Raised berms along the edges can trap that water, so they need to be cut back to let it drain away. Overhanging tree canopies keep roads shaded and damp longer, so clearing them allows more sunlight and airflow to help dry the surface. Dirt and gravel roads need a proper crown—a slight rise in the center—to direct water toward the sides and into drainage areas. Deteriorated subbases also need repair to give the road a stable foundation.
These road conditions were not created in the last three years. They developed over a much longer period and cannot all be corrected at once. When drainage and road base problems remain, a temporary patch does not fix the cause of the damage. Repeatedly patching the same areas can ultimately cost taxpayers more than making a lasting repair.
Proper repairs will take time and significant funding. We will continue setting priorities and working toward lasting improvements, one road at a time.
The taxpayers of Wayne Township elected us and entrusted us with making responsible decisions for the Township. We take that duty seriously. These accomplishments did not happen automatically. They reflect a concerted effort by all three supervisors, supported by Township staff, volunteers, donors, and community members. We will continue making as many improvements as our resources allow.