Loyalsock Township supervisors want $10,000 back from PPL Electric Utilities for light poles the township purchased almost a year ago.
The problem is, PPL didn't own the poles when they were sold to the township.
Supervisors voted last October to purchase the street lights owned by PPL in order to save costs on maintenance. The township stood to save about $36,000, according to estimates last year.
However, Bill Burdett, township manager, told supervisors Tuesday night at their meeting that 17 of the street lights did not have the appropriate rights of ways for a third-party contractor to do work on them. Burdett said some residents were upset when crews showed up to do maintenance on the lights, but had no authority from PPL or the township to do so.
"We told them (PPL) we can't buy what they don't own," Burdett said. "You sold us something you don't own."
Burdett said he hopes a letter to PPL officials explaining the situation works before legal action becomes necessary.
In other business Tuesday evening, supervisors agreed to accept $100,000 from National Fuel Gas Corp. - a natural gas supplier - for damages the company is responsible for on Liberty Drive.
Burdett also said residents should contact their insurance agents regarding downed trees as a result of a quick-moving gusty storm that swept through the area late last week. He said the township will not remove fallen trees from private residences.
Supervisors also voted to hold their annual road tour on Oct. 16 and a public work session on Nov. 14 for a budget review.
