Harmar, Norfolk Southern at odds over Denny Estates rail crossing

Harmar isn’t exactly buying what Norfolk Southern is pitching when it comes to an assignment at the rail crossing in Denny Estates.

Solicitor Craig Alexander told Harmar supervisors during a recent meeting that negotiations with Norfolk Southern on the assignment of the crossing have hit a roadblock.

“They are changing the terms for that, and we won’t agree to that,” Alexander said.

The assignment, according to Alexander, is an agreement on the maintenance and control of the crossing. He said the agreement, until now, has involved both the township and the railroad, on a cooperative basis.

“(The railroad proposal) was unilateral,” supervisors chairman Bob Seibert said. “They imposed all kinds of new stuff on us.”

He said that included the ability to remove the crossing without township input.

In a statement, railroad spokeswoman Heather Garcia said communications with Harmar continue. She did not elaborate on what those conversations entailed.

“Our crossing standards are built with the safety of both the community and our team in mind,” she said. “We are in active communication with the township on this crossing and look forward to continuing to work together.”