Ian Gorske

The regular meeting included discussions and actions on several fronts. In Planning & Zoning, a 90-day extension was approved for both the Artist in Residence Distillerie Land Development Plan and the Station Road Apartments Land Development Plan. Financially, Bill List 25-25 and Bill List 1-26 were approved. Under Administration, quotes for office furniture for the Zoning Office and Conference Room were approved, and Resolution #26-57 appointing members to the Agricultural Security Area Advisory Committee was adopted. Two public hearings were held regarding proposed ordinance amendments: the first concerned regulations governing collection and recycling of materials for community activities, resulting in the adoption of Ordinance No. 2009-199-2; the second concerned changing the meeting schedule for the Parks Board to an as-needed basis, resulting in the adoption of Ordinance No. 82-92-2. Announcements included an update on road operations and details regarding the Erie County 250th birthday celebration kickoff event.

The meeting addressed several administrative and operational items. Key discussions included the approval of the 2026 Operating Budget, which incorporated new sewer rates and employee wage increases, and the approval of Resolution No. 6 of 2025 to grant PennDOT a permanent right of way and temporary construction easement for a project near the 6 Mile Pump Station. The board also adopted a new billing policy for multi-unit residential properties, treating each dwelling unit as a separate billable entity. Furthermore, a 90-day suspension policy for contractors violating the Township Sewer Use Ordinance was approved, and Resolution No. 4 of 2025 authorizing the authority to join PLGIT was adopted. The board also approved the addition of Tj's Plumbing to the approved plumbers list. In capital planning, the progression of The Village of Harborcreek Sewer Extension was reviewed, a plan for the Alcorn Property was approved, and the board authorized the purchase of one flow monitor for data collection. Finally, the board voted to remove one member as an account signer and add Assistant Secretary/Treasurer Eaglen in their place.

Key discussions included the approval of bills payable for November 2025 and the review of the October 2025 meeting minutes. The board addressed a billing discrepancy based on the number of dwellings on a property, resulting in a motion to amend the policy to bill each dwelling at the residential rate, pending solicitor review in December. Significant attention was given to plumbers operating without proper bonding and permits. The board established penalties for non-compliance, starting with a 90-day suspension for the first offense. The board also reviewed a rate study comparison report, gave permission for the Manager to move funds to a Pligit Savings Account and a Pligit Capitol Reserves Account, and discussed follow-up regarding the final hookup on Evergreen Drive. The board affirmed its policy not to stop sewer billing for non-paying residents, opting instead to place a lien on the property.

The Organization Meeting for the Harborcreek Township Board of Supervisors involved several key procedural and administrative actions for the year 2026. Resolutions were adopted to elect the Chairperson, Dean S. Pepicello, and the Vice-Chairperson, Timothy J. May. Appointments were made for the Secretary/Treasurer, liaisons to various departments, and representatives to the MPO. Further resolutions established departmental superintendents, appointed various board and committee members (including the Pension Plan Administrator, members of the Vacancy Board, Sewer Authority, Planning Commission, Zoning Hearing Board, and Parks and Recreation Board), set personnel policies, approved wages for exempt and hourly staff, and established township depositories and purchasing limits. The board also authorized the 2026 mileage rate, set regular meeting schedules, and addressed tax collection matters.

The meeting included a public hearing to review and discuss a Planned Residential Development Tentative Plan from Maleno Land Development Co., LLC for the Boulder Springs development, which involved review of road access, setbacks, landscaping, and stormwater management utilizing a raingarden. The Supervisors approved the Tentative Plan contingent upon the submission of required documentation following the Engineer's review. Other actions included referring a Home Occupation application to the Planning Commission, adopting an amended Sewage Planning Module for a property on Backus Road, and approving the Bill List for payment. Administratively, the Supervisors adopted the 2026 Harborcreek Township Budget, setting the millage rate, and authorized payroll continuation, payment of 2025 invoices in 2026, advertisement of January 2026 public meetings, and renewal quotes for Fire Department vehicle insurance. Additionally, an additional payment was authorized for the Donlin Road Culvert Pipe Project due to extra material and labor required by the DEP. Announcements included positive feedback on the Ella Cochran Food Pantry support and Harborcreek Light Up Night, and reminders about recycling and cautious salt use.