Status of Overlook Drive Questioned in Catharine Twp.

Williamsburg Chief of Police Rowdy Kagarise attended the Catharine Township Supervisors’ meeting as not the police chief but as a concerned resident.

Kagarise said he and his family have lived on Overlook Drive for more than 30 years, and in those 30 years, the township has only tarred and chipped the road one time, that he can remember.

“There’s no other major work done,” Kagarise said.

Overlook Drive, Kagarise said, is the “worst road in the township.”

The road takes up 7/10 of a mile, out of the 10 miles of Catharine Township roadways. Kagarise cited that a few years ago, an oak tree was cut down to pave the road but no further repairs were made. Kagarise asked if liquid fuels money could be used to help repair Overlook, and noted that for 2020, the township will receive more than $47,000 for liquid fuels.

“Things just don’t add up – we just want to be treated fairly,” Kagarise said on behalf of some other Overlook Drive residents who were in attendance. “A lot of people use that road for Rails to Trails.”

Kagarise also said he estimated that dozens use it in peak season. Kagarise and other residents asked the township for some kind of “commitment” that work will be considered soon.

Catharine Township Chairman Heather Flaig agreed, “something needs to be done.”

Supervisors contacted State Sen. Judy Ward’s office and they gave them resources to get into contact with PennDOT and with the Blair County Planning Commission.

Roadmaster Michael Fay was unsure that liquid fuels funds would be available to use because of width of the roadway may not meet the minimum requirements.

Flaig said she would get back into contact with PennDOT and Blair Planning and hoped she would have some answers as to moving the project forward at the August meeting.

The PennDOT Winter Service Agreement was received by the township, which incorporated Fox Run as one of the roads continued to be plowed by township personnel, which in turn pays the township $12,588, an increase from the amount last year. The township supervisors voted in favor of signing the agreement.