Township of South Manheim

The Board discussed a funding request from the Lake Wynonah Property Owners Association for dam repairs, ultimately adopting a resolution to act as the grant applicant while assuming no administrative or financial responsibility. The Road Master reported on various infrastructure updates, including bridge weight postings, building repairs, and sewer maintenance. The Board also reviewed correspondence, approved donations to local organizations, reviewed reports from the Zoning and Sewage Enforcement Officers, and addressed unfinished business regarding property code enforcement, the Act 537 plan, and the search for an electric utility provider.

The board discussed various operational matters, including the status of municipal building improvements and road maintenance, such as plow equipment repairs and bridge inspections which resulted in new weight limit postings. Financial reports, including receipts and investment balances, were reviewed and approved. The board addressed tax exemption requests, reviewed numerous correspondence items, and heard the solicitor's report concerning signage agreements with the Game Commission, real estate assessment appeals, and property enforcement actions. Discussions also covered updates on the Act 537 plan, potential electric supply contract renewals, and feedback from residents regarding lot consolidation processes and meeting efficiency.

The Road Report included updates on pending tree trimming due to weather and the process for obtaining quotes for the File Room Addition since no bids were received. Authorization was granted to purchase guardrail for West Deerview. Key decisions involved accepting several quotes for components of the File Room Addition, including pre-cast concrete walls, lumber materials, concrete floor, heating & cooling, and an epoxy floor. Separately, three residents' requests for exemption from the 2025 Per Capita tax were approved. The Board accepted the Treasurer's Report and Report of Receipts. The Harvey Annexation was approved upon recommendation of the Planning Commission. Several reports from the Zoning Enforcement Officer, UCC enforcement, and Sewage Enforcement Officer were accepted. In Unfinished Business, updates were provided on the Act 537 Plan deadline, ongoing complaints, and scanning estimates for ordinances. New Business included the appointment of Clayton Bubeck to the Plum Creek Municipal Authority board to fill a vacancy. The meeting concluded with the approval and payment of bills.

The reorganization meeting involved several appointments and setting of compensation/policies for the upcoming year. Key actions included appointing the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary-Treasurer, and Solicitor. The Board also designated financial depositories and reappointed Sewage Enforcement Officers, Zoning Enforcement Officer, and Building Code Enforcement Officers for 2026. Compensation levels were set for the Zoning Hearing Board, Planning and Zoning Commission, and the Secretary to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Policies were established regarding mileage reimbursement, Emergency Management Coordinator compensation, paid holidays (mirroring 2025), road crew working hours, overtime pay, and vacation accrual. The Board also reaffirmed the engagement of the CPA firm Jones & Company for audits through 2026, set the Treasurer's Bond, and authorized attendance at the 2026 PSATS Conference. Finally, a 3% wage increase was granted to all employees, and a new member was appointed to the Board of Auditors.

The meeting included a presentation of the Road Master's report, noting completion of line painting and the need to obtain direct contractor quotes for the File Room Addition project after the second round of bidding failed to receive quotes. The Board reviewed and approved the December 2025 Report of Receipts and the Treasurer's Report, which totaled $1,833,917.78 across all accounts. Correspondence items included the approval of a resident's request for a Per Capita tax exemption and noting the completion of the Township's five-year audit with no physical accessibility findings. A key action was the unanimous adoption of Ordinance #102 establishing Supervisors Compensation. The Board adopted the 2026 Proposed Budget and Resolution #1-2026 setting tax revenues, and set the schedule for 2026 meetings, including a Reorganization Meeting on January 5, 2026. New business also involved authorizing repairs to the Emergency Access Road, adopting the Schuylkill County Basic Emergency Operation Plan, and granting permission to the PA Game Commission to install a public guidance sign. Finally, Greg Wolf and Wayne Scott Baum were reappointed to the Planning Commission, and the Board authorized obtaining an estimate for scanning Township Ordinances.