Greene Township

The board addressed several administrative and operational items, including accepting a proposal for building inspections, updating the application fee schedule for the Short-Term Rental Ordinance, and approving repository bids. The board appointed an alternate for emergency management and snow plowing, ratified a state of emergency proclamation, and authorized enrollment in a salt contract for the upcoming winter season. Discussions regarding unfinished business included a time extension for a subdivision project, the authorization to advertise for bids to construct an office in the garage, the potential scheduling of a public hearing for a proposed data center ordinance, and revisions to the sign ordinance. An executive session was held to discuss litigation.

The meeting focused on organizational appointments and administrative governance for the upcoming year. Key actions included the appointment of township supervisors to various leadership roles, the re-appointment of essential township staff and officers, and the establishment of wages for various positions. The Board also designated banking depositories, updated permit fee structures, set the schedule for monthly meetings, confirmed tax millage rates, and adopted updates to the employee handbook and purchasing policies.

The meeting commenced with the adoption of the agenda and reiteration of the public comment policy. Key discussions included scheduling the Organizational Meeting for January 5, 2025, and the Board of Auditor's meeting for January 6, 2025. During executive session, the board required the owner of the agricultural building at 291 Rt 447 Newfoundland, PA, to cease commercial operations and disconnect the water supply by December 5, 2025, pending required permitting. New business involved approving a lot combination, adopting the 2026 budget, and appointing Jeryl Rinehart as Second Alternate Sewage Enforcement Officer. The board voted to distribute the Fire Tax Fund equally between Greene-Dreher and Promised Land Volunteer Fire Companies. Discussions also covered tabling a decision on the Short-Term Rental contract structure and finalizing the Annual Contribution List, resulting in ceasing donations to two entities while increasing contributions to others like the Greene-Dreher Historical Society and Newfoundland Area Library. Unfinished business included drafting an updated Sign Ordinance based on public hearing comments, addressing the 1174 Rt 390 Building via solicitor's letter, and directing the solicitor to draft a Data Center Ordinance. Public comments concluded with the removal of a disruptive resident.

The meeting involved adopting the agenda and reiterating the public comment policy. Key discussions included the proposed purchase of a 2016 Peterbilt truck from Springbrook Township, research into applying for capital bridge project grant money for two township bridges, and discussion regarding the Cloud Hill Farm Subdivision which required a time extension due to an unapproved state highway occupancy permit. The board discussed sending letters to property owners regarding stormwater runoff causing hazardous ice conditions on roads and researching the feasibility of building an office in the garage versus using a container due to the current building trailer's structural issues. Unfinished business included tabling the Data Centers Possible Ordinance Draft and making a motion to terminate the Short-Term Rental Contract with Bureau Veritas, bringing administration in-house. The board also addressed the request to adopt a temporary holding tank ordinance for the 291 Rt 447 Agricultural Barn project, ultimately motioning for Mr. Reilly to draft an ordinance for solicitor review. The Sign Ordinance discussion was tabled after debate on static display time limits. Public comment focused heavily on supporting the 291 Rt 447 business while emphasizing the need to follow established commercial building and development processes.

The Public Hearing was convened to discuss the Proposed Amended Sign Ordinance. Legal counsel representing a builder raised several specific concerns regarding the ordinance, including illumination standards for billboards, shielding requirements for lights, clarification on what constitutes a series of signs, and the prohibition of flashing or changing digital signs. Counsel also requested an extension from three months to six months for restoring non-conforming signs, which the board declined. Finally, clarification was provided regarding the definition of signage posing a clear traffic hazard. A resident also inquired about permit fees, learning they are set by resolution during the annual Organizational Meeting. This resident also raised concerns about height restrictions on signs, which the board stated were already included in the draft.