CENTER TWP — Township supervisors voted on several items in preparation for the upcoming spring at the regular meeting on March 12.

The board voted to open applications for road crew, hire contracted landscaping and make plans for guard rail replacement and tree trimming in the township.

The road crew opened a position Wednesday after a resignation in the department. Two previous applicants will be interviewed and further applications will be reviewed before a final hiring decision is made.

“I think if we had a bigger pool to draw from and we’re not in a hurry to hire someone, maybe we should put it out just so we have more to pick from,” Supervisor Donald Pringle said

The board also voted to hire landscaping help for a trial period of one year. Karns Landscaping and Lawn Care will perform the township’s landscaping for a cost of $130 a week. The board also considered purchasing a new riding mower for $8,000.

The decision was a point of debate during the meeting, with Pringle and Supervisor Ed Latuska disagreeing with a need for contracted landscaping. Supervisor Alan Smallwood argued in favor of freeing up municipal workers.

“With a cost of $130 a week, roughly $4,000 a year, you could afford a new tractor in two years,” Pringle said.

“There’s a lot of things that need to be done and we only have a handful of guys,” Smallwood said. “When you have a couple of guys cutting grass, that pulls away from other thing you might be wanting to do or other things that could get done in the township.”

The board passed the trial contract for the year unanimously. Supervisor Philip Wulff said the board will review the need for landscaping services next year.

The board also discussed plans for guide rail replacement along Jamisonville Road and tree trimming along Mahood Road.

Supervisors showed interest in purchasing property from Clearview Mall. While the mall gave the township an offer, the township must appraise the property before negotiations can begin.

Township solicitor Michael Gallagher said the appraisal would cost “about $1,000 or more.” The board voted unanimously to pursue the appraisal at a maximum cost of $1,500.