The township supervisors oppose the creation of a state agricultural review board that they believe will give the state power to override township laws concerning factory farms and the application of sewage sludge on farmlands.

On Tuesday, the supervisors voted unanimously to oppose the proposal for the agricultural review board tht was made by Gov. Ed Rendell. They will be sending a copy of a resolution stating their position to the state township supervisors association.

Jennifer Lindahl, township secretary, said the supervisors are concerned that an agricultural review board would open the door for the state to give approval for the application of the sewage sludge to farms in townships where local laws have been passed to prohibit the use of the sludge.

Lt. Brad Shields, commander of the Indiana County state police station, talked to the supervisors and six residents about the services provided by the station. He also assured them that the police are investigating a string of arsons in the township and asked them to remain alert and to call the station about suspicious activities. He said a $2,000 reward has been posted for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible for the arsons.

In other action, the supervisors approved buying a ditch and bank mower from Hines Equipment Co. of Johnstown for $4,947.

The board of supervisors will be holding a public hearing at 7 p.m. Oct. 5 for a review of the 14-year old agricultural-security-area plan in the township. The hearings are held every seven years to review the plan that preserves agricultural land for farming. The township has more than 2,000 acres in the agricultural security plan. The meeting will be held in the municipal building at 220 Fifth St. in the Kiski Flats area of the township near Saltsburg.

In other recent municipal meetings, the Armagh and Creekside borough councils and boards of supervisors of Grant, Blacklick, Cherryhill and South Mahoning townships voted to pay the bills and conducted other routine business.

The township supervisors Tuesday accepted the resignation of Scott Overdorff from the board of supervisors. Overdorff listed personal reasons for his resignation, effective Sept. 15.

The supervisors approved advertising the sale of a 1979 truck and 1972 loader and approved buying a radio for the township loader at a cost of $450 from Citizens Radio of Indiana.

The supervisors announced that a spaghetti dinner will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 12 at the Brush Valley Fire Hall to benefit the township park.

In other action, the supervisors renewed membership in the Historical and Genealogical Society of Indiana County and the 12th Congressional Regional Equipment Center in Blairsville.

The board of supervisors Tuesday scheduled fall clean-up days for 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 11 and 12.

All items must be taken to the township building, where Dumpsters will be available. Everyone depositing materials must sign in and show proof of residency.

No hazardous materials, tires or appliances with Freon will be accepted. For more information, call the township office at (724) 639-9330.

The supervisors accepted the resignation of Grace Liboski, township auditor, and appointed Rebecca DeForno to succeed her as auditor.

The supervisors also hired Berkheimer Inc. of Bangor to collect the earned-income tax and delinquent per-capita taxes.

- John Como