CASSANDRA — A long-running boundary dispute between Portage and Washington townships appears to have been resolved during an informal meeting Wednesday.
Steps will be taken to guarantee that questions over location of the line along Route 53 do not surface again, officials from both townships said.
Using a recently completed land survey and maps from the former Pennsylvania Railroad, Portage and Washington supervisors say they’ve reached a consensus that the line and road signs should be midway on the hill north of the former Kick’s Convenience Store between Portage and Lilly.
“We plan to have (survey) pins put in and we want to put up a concrete monument so 300 years from now they know where the line is once and for all,” Portage Supervisor Ken Trimbath said.
Questions about the line along the busy highway have existed for years.
Following a Route 53 upgrade several years ago, the road sign designating the boundary line was replaced at the bottom of the hill just outside Cassandra. PennDOT officials at that time said the sign placement was based on a global positioning system map.
But the GPS map did not look back to the boundaries of 200 years ago, Washington Supervisor Ray Guzic said.
Nothing was done to determine the line until 2008, when a dispute over fire company territory reignited the issue. Portage Supervisor Jim Kovach moved the sign about 1,200 feet north toward the top of the hill.
Sensing potential problems, both townships agreed to split the $1,600 cost of a land survey of the line east to Blair County, and the matter was all but forgotten about.
Last week an accident on Route 53 in that area brought emergency and fire personnel from the north and south.
“It was kind of like, ‘OK, let’s get this settled once and for all,’ ” Trimbath said.
Local land surveyor Fred Brown had completed much of the work, and he showed officials the line is farther north than PennDOT had indicated.
Brown’s survey includes maps from the early 1800s and 1900s.
“It is just a matter of cooperation,” Trimbath said. “Fred brought the railroad information in and made common sense of it.”
Guzic said he never believed the line was at the bottom of the hill, and agrees with the determination that is it about midway to the top.
“We’re going to lose a little bit on one end, but we’re gaining a little bit on the end toward Blair County,” he said.
The redesignation has no impact on any homes or businesses.
Officials of both townships will talk to their solicitors and take steps over the next few months to approve the new line and have the information filed at the Cambria County Courthouse.
Local News
Townships reach agreement on boundary dispute
- Local News
-
-
Richland manufacturer showcases expansion
Business and government leaders gathered Monday at a Richland Township manufacturing company to celebrate the expansion of its export business, made possible through some cooperative government programs.
-
New jury to hear Blair case
The 12 jury members and two alternates chosen nearly a month ago to decide the fate of Nicholas Adam Horner were excused on Monday by Blair County President Judge Jolene Kopriva.
-
Blogging with heart
Launching into the second week of American Heart Month, I'm looking at stories on the leading-edge treatment options and how local heart specialists are helping patients live longer.
-
Marijuana bust: Police seeking runaway seize dozens of pot plants
City police looking for a runaway juvenile stumbled onto a marijuana “grow operation,” seized more than 40 pot plants and arrested two apartment house neighbors.
-
Former speaker convicted
A jury on Monday convicted a senior Democrat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on all but one of six charges in the latest corruption trial stemming from a five-year investigation into the use of taxpayers’ resources for political purposes.
-
‘Dramatic’ Pa. budget cuts expected
Top state senators say they expect Gov. Tom Corbett to propose a budget plan today that relies on cuts in spending for education and social services to balance sluggish tax collections and the rising costs of pensions and debt.
-
ACRP seeks partners for neighborhood gardens
A few years ago, the Alternative Community Resource Program and its partners planted a garden alongside Napoleon Street in a move to fill both hungry stomachs and a need for neighborhood rejuvenation.
-
‘Hope for the future’: Workshops offer confidence boost to cancer patients
Chances are when you look good you feel better about yourself.
-
Police Roundup: Martindale man accused of trying to enter cars at Portage dealership
A Portage-area man has been charged with criminal attempt at theft after state police said he was discovered trying to enter three vehicles in the parking lot of Stager’s Chevrolet.
-
In brief: Fire destroys windmill turbine
Fire destroyed a windmill turbine at the Allegheny Ridge Wind Farm on top of the mountain in Blair County between Blue Knob and Lilly on Monday morning.
- More Local News Headlines
-
US, UK Pressure on Syria; More Homs Violence
Raw Video: Mass Killer Wants Medal, Freedom
Few Answers in Death of Sons of Missing Utah Mom
Court Strips Contador of Tour De France Title
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is...
Raw Video: Deadly Helicopter Crash in Australia
Raw Video: Smoke, Purported Gunfire in Syria
Romney Latest Poll to Join Let-me-explain Club
Blast Kills Husband of Missing Utah Mom, 2 Boys
Obama: US, Israel Will Work Against Iran Nukes
NJ Museum Finds 19th Century Recording
Snow Causes Disruptions in Much of Europe
Clinton: Vetoed U.N. Syria Resolution 'travesty'
Romney Picks Up Decisive Win in Nevada Caucuses
Gingrich Renews Vow to Campaign Until Convention
Romney Rolls to Easy Win in Nevada GOP Caucuses
Raw Video: Missing Family Found Alive in Ore.
Police Clear Tents From Occupy Site in DC
Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life
