This evening, numerous concerned citizens in Antis Township are expected to be on hand at a special meeting to discuss what can be done with the old railroad bed near the Bellwood Reservoir.
The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the township building and is open to the public.
According to Ray Amato, vice-chairman of the Antis Township Board of Supervisors, some of the near dozen residents who live in that area have approached the board to inquire about purchasing additional property – which ranges from 30 to 60 feet wide.
“Some of these people just want to extend their property lines a little,” Amato told The Daily Herald. “Some of the supervisors here decided it would be best to invite anybody who is concerned with this area of the township to come to the meeting and say what they have to say.”
Originally, the property was supposed to be used by a local Rails-to-Trails group. Rails-to-Trails is an organization that modifies non-utilized tracks for purposes of public walking, and in some cases, bicycle riding.
But according to Amato, the idea of Rails-to-Trails “fell through.”
“I thought it would have been good for the township,” said Amato. “But it just wasn’t in the cards.”
Now, because the railroad bed leads into a wooded area through state game lands and Altoona Water Authority property, many people are operating vehicles and ATVs in the area, making it not only a liability to the township, but also a nuisance to residents living there.
“The residents are really concerned about the activity back there,” said Amato. “If they own the property, they would be able to post it ‘No Trespassing’ and hopefully, that would deter some of the traffic.”
In December, supervisors talked of the area at a regular meeting and noted that if someone was injured while on the property, Antis Township could be held liable. The township owns approximately 17 acres of land in that area.
Chairman Supervisor Leo Matuszewski said before that residents have approached supervisors and noted that the water authority has its property posted against motorized vehicles and believed it would be a good idea if the supervisors would look into posting its property.
“We’re not really sure what we’re going to do with the property,” said Amato. “The Rails-to-Trails organization is still alive and they might again be interested. Of course the residents living there are interested in what’s going to happen.”
Amato said he understands that a “good number” of people will show up at the meeting tonight, including representatives from the Rails-to-Trails organization.
Amato said he doesn’t believe the township has the power to sell the property. He said this evening’s meeting will be to gather information and hear what the public thinks. Then, all the information will be combined and supervisors will discuss any possible remedies.
There will be no action taken at tonight’s gathering.
