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FRANKLIN SQUARE--The board of trustees approved the purchase of grit in its meeting Tuesday.
"We like to keep well ahead of the need," said Trustee Bill Heston.
As part of the township's annual winter weather preparations trustees approved the purchase of 2000 tons of grit at a price of $14 per ton, for a total cost of $28,000, a ten cent increase from last year's price per ton of $13.90, for a total increase in cost of $200.
Road Foreman Jason Entrikin said that the grit, which the township uses in the winter season in place of rock salt to melt ice and provide township resident with traction during the winter, was similar to pea gravels but smaller. Entrikin said that the township mixes the grit with black ash for improved traction, and that the township still had a large supply.
The township has two plow trucks that it employs to maintain clear and safe roads once winter weather begins for the year, and Entrikin said they would begin treating roads within the township once the winter season began in earnest as the township does not pre-treat roads.
Entrikin said he did not know the specific amount of material the township used last winter but noted that typically the township uses close to the full 2000 tons of material that it purchases each year.
"It really all depends on the year," said Entrikin.
The board of trustees will meet next 7 p.m. Dec. 12.