In her letter “Roads sacrificed for pricey garage?” (May 14, TribLIVE), Jane Kelley implies that Loyalhanna Township supervisors Ken Walters and Mary Trunzo neglected roads by constructing a new public works building and office. If they, as reported, saved up to half the cost of a potential expenditure of $1 million, they are to be applauded. Working with a budget to operate the township on just $400,000-plus a year and saving any money for capital improvements over the years is commendable.
Public buildings have an average life expectancy before replacement or major renovations of around 50 years. Reconstruction of a single mile of road costs between $250,000 and $300,000, and with 41 miles of roads in the township, you do the math.
Few municipalities can afford to pave roads. Surface sealing and preservation are often the only options.
Please thank Walters and Trunzo for doing a great job for the township.
Terry Carcella
Unity
The writer is executive director of the Indiana/Westmoreland Council of Governments and manager of Ligonier Township.