Jeff Hatfield

The meeting commenced with a reorganization procedure, including the appointment of a temporary chair, followed by the election of a permanent chairman and vice chairman for 2026. The roles of secretary treasurer and assistant secretary treasurer were appointed. Key discussion points included updates on the Business Improvement District ordinance, which involved filing with the Department of State; this required setting a filing date of January 16th. The authority also addressed the progress on Wayfinding initiatives, noting difficulty in contacting a property owner at 2522 Lincoln Highway East and ongoing conversations with PENNDOT regarding electronic displays. Furthermore, the body noted the need to adopt the 2026 budget for Fund 18 and appoint an auditor for 2025 financials, specifically Herbine and Company. The meeting concluded with motions to approve the budget and appoint the auditor, followed by adjournment.

The meeting commenced with announcements regarding the recording and virtual availability of the public meeting. A significant portion of the meeting involved public comment concerning the placement of a new storage shed for baseball equipment, particularly regarding flood zones and available space near parking areas, requiring coordination with zoning and stormwater management officials. The board then proceeded with its annual reorganization, approving the existing board officers. The Grounds, Buildings, and Trails report provided updates on the Lafayette Park pavilion construction, including sewer line installation and planning for electrical service, as well as the budgeted replacement of water fountains with stainless steel units. The report also detailed recent program registration statistics and upcoming events, including summer playground registration, yoga, line dancing, and bus trips to New York City and Washington D.C. The board also discussed the expansion of the summer day program due to high demand.

The meeting began with the reorganization of the Board of Supervisors for 2026. Key actions included the election of a temporary chair, followed by the nomination and election of Mike Thornton as the 2026 Board Chair and Ted Gallagher as Vice Chair. Appointments were made for the secretary treasurer (Tara Hutchkins) and assistant secretary treasurer (Ken Prad). The board also approved the continuation of existing appointments for the township solicitor (Susan Piper), the slate of township engineers and alternates (including David Miller Associates as primary engineer), the vacancy board chairman (John Blauers), the financial depositories, the sewer enforcement officer and alternate (David Miller Associates and Leonard Spencer, respectively), the Lancaster County Tax Collection Bureau representatives, and the PA Association of Township Supervisors Conference delegates (with Tara Hitchens nominated as voting delegate). Discussions also covered the annual appointment of a CPA firm for the 2025 audit, noting the policy requiring lead changes every five years.

The meeting addressed several items, commencing with the approval of the consent agenda, which included the agenda itself, minutes from previous meetings, escrow release amounts, time extensions, and approval to pay invoices. Key action items included the approval of the revised 2026 Minimum Municipal Obligation (MMO) for the non-uniform pension, resulting in a reduced obligation amount. The board also considered and moved forward the new ASME agreement for 2026-2028, which detailed a 3.25% annual wage increase and a trial for public works staff to work four 10-hour days between April and November, along with adjustments to comp time usage and boot allowance. Approvals were sought for easements related to the Lincoln Highway Streetscape Phase Three project and acceptance of a text amendment application from Keystone Custom Homes concerning optional density incentive provisions. Additionally, the board accepted a rezoning application for property at 474 Mount Sydney Road to change zoning from agriculture to village residential for future residential development, and authorized the destruction of financial files dating back to 2017 and prior. Finally, Ryan Martin was appointed to the Planning Commission.

The meeting involved paying administrative and requisition bills for Sanitary Sewer services, including design/permitting costs for the Strasburg Pike Sewer Extension and Oaks Pump Station 2 Elimination. Stormwater bills totaling over $200,000 were also approved for payment. Old business discussions included approving an Easement Agreement with the Oaks HOA for the Oaks PS#2 Elimination Project, noting the completion of the Stauffer Run PS Wet Well Lining Project, and discussions regarding the Strasburg Pike Project timeline, including bidding in January. The Authority decided to maintain the existing 15" pipe size for a section of the Rockvale Sewer capacity reservation rather than upgrading to 18", and determined not to upgrade an 8" pipe section near the American Music Theatre at this time. Both the Sanitary Sewer and Stormwater 2026 budgets were adopted. New business included voting on cost-sharing and engineer agreements with PennDOT for the Western Gateway project, and approving an amendment to the CGPS and SAPS Interceptor Capacity Evaluation and Condition Assessment Escrow Agreement, requiring the Authority's portion of $386,466.97.