The Shaler Board of Commissioners approved a maintenance agreement regarding the prospective new traffic light that the township is hoping to have installed on Route 8 at its intersection with the Glenshaw Glass driveway.

The vote of 8-0 was held during the board’s meeting Sept. 14. Commissioner Thomas McElhone of Ward 4 did not attend due to recent surgery, while president David Shutter of Ward 3 phoned in to the meeting.

The board resolution shows the willingness of the township to assume responsibility for the maintenance of the light, advising that the need for the light is due to a safety issue, not the development of Glenshaw Glass or the property it stands on. The installation of the light, however, is not guaranteed at this point.

“PennDOT has taken exception to the light because they think it is for the purpose of future development, which it is not. We have had two people killed at that intersection,” said township manager Tim Rogers.

The township is going back to PennDOT to try to clear up any misconceptions regarding the reason for the traffic light.

Multiple tractor-trailers go in and out of the site daily, at times causing safety concerns by obstructing the four-lane road. Township officials hope that a light at the intersection will help to increase safety and control traffic flow.

In other business, John Rihn, the deputy emergency management coordinator for Shaler, presented information regarding the remnants of Hurricane Ida’s impact on the district. Forecasts changed frequently during the event and more rainfall occurred than what was originally projected, with the area at one point receiving 1.5 inches of rain in one hour.

The township received 25 emergency calls reporting water in residents’ homes, but it is estimated that another 25 to 30 got water in their homes but did not report it.

Two roads were closed becuase of the storms and flooding. K Street and Seavey Road both required closures, with 35 Shaler Area High School students needing to be rescued from their bus on the flooded Seavey.

Additional items on the agenda were two lot consolidations and upcoming events in the township, including Fall Fest.

The Fall Fest event will be held Oct. 2 at Kiwanis Park. More information can be found online at shaler.org.

The next meeting of the board will be held on Sept. 28 at 6:30 at the municipal building.

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