Township of Union

The meeting addressed several resident concerns, including the necessity of replacing a culvert on Mohawk Road before repairs can proceed, and plans to seal cracks on Green Street. Residents raised concerns regarding police presence in the Township, the condition of a property near a former rehab facility, and access restrictions to a stream following a restoration project. The Board accepted a donated traffic mirror for installation at the intersection of Sale Barn Lane and Penn Street and agreed to investigate the need for a traffic study to address concerns about excessive truck speed on Applehouse Road and Front Mountain Road. In zoning matters, extensions were requested for two land development plans (Zook and King). Road items included advertising bids for binder paving on Lewistown Road and tar & chip work on Belleville Lane, and updates on the Kish Street paving joint and Belleville Hill sidewalks. A subdivision plan by Paul J. & Miriam J. Zook was approved. Further discussions included moving an OIP sign to improve line of sight, easement agreement changes for a new water line, updating the website reservation calendar, and addressing tax implications for renting classrooms. Resolution 2026-9 for the Act 537 Plan Revision was approved, and outstanding bills were paid.

The meeting involved discussions and actions on several key areas. The Treasurer's Report for year-end 2025 was approved. Visitors brought up topics including the Dirt and Gravel Road program, potentially making funds available for the Spring Run Road bridge project, and inquiries regarding employment applications and the status of a new hire, for which action was taken under new business. Regarding infrastructure and maintenance, the Board addressed concerns about the walking path roughness, noting maintenance in the spring, and discussed the higher cost of providing in-house police coverage compared to the existing Regional Police service. Manager actions included setting up the new quarterly billing system and scheduling a Sewage Facilities Plan revision resolution for the next meeting to address sewage needs in the Rockville area. A conditional use hearing for a private school house application was scheduled for the next meeting. Road and infrastructure items included getting estimates for curbing on a campus improvement, addressing a walking path washout, waiting on a DEP permit for a culvert replacement, scheduling Community Hall floor work for the spring, installing Sale Barn traffic signs, getting pricing for a thumb attachment and a Case Loader replacement, and ordering a defibrillator for the Community Center. Road discussions included updates on delivering a repair letter to an Amish resident, scheduling workshops for South Dry House Road and general road projects, scheduling Kish Street paving for the spring, and determining that drainage review is needed for Mohawk Road before repairs can occur. The Board also agreed to develop a plan and seek funding for the Belleville Hill sidewalks. Under solicitor review, an update was noted on the General Nuisance ordinance development. Engineering updates included waiting for grant news for the Spring Run bridge, finalizing estimates for an NPDES project, advancing the sewer line extension design for the concession stand, preparing a widening plan for the Back Mountain Road & SR 305 intersection for Penn Dot submission, and awaiting word on bridges for the County's program. The Board discussed the Mifflin County Regional Police Department and personnel updates. Ongoing business included updates on the phone system, website reservation calendar, seeking additional quotes for downtown park lights, meeting regarding a new shed and concession stand layout for Little League, awaiting suitable weather for scoreboard installation, compiling a master project list with estimated costs, and agreeing to revisit renting out classrooms. New business included approving the hiring of a labor position for the road crew (with one abstention), approving the Union Township Fire Police roster for 2026, scheduling Community Night Out, agreeing to obtain quotes for outward facing cameras in trucks, and advertising a pension ordinance change regarding forfeiture allocation. Other business noted receipt of apologies for vandalism and trespassing incidents.

The meeting addressed several key operational and planning items. Key zoning actions included the approval of two land development plans: one for a 6,000 sq. ft. material storage building for Paul B LLC and another for a 5,796 sq. ft. chicken barn housing 4,000 layer chickens for Simon Peachey. The Board also approved the Zoning Report. Road matters discussed involved applying hot mix to the Jericho Road culvert for winter, scheduling the Community Hall floor work for the spring, and addressing a paving joint on Kish Street that requires milling and repaving. Engineering updates included the receipt of a $431,074.61 reimbursement for the Walnut Street bridge and forwarding estimates for bridge deck repairs to the County's bridge program. In ongoing business, the Township website is live, and the Board plans to meet with Steph Byler regarding the Little League Concession stand. New business involved tabling discussion on the Jericho Road incident until November 7th. The Board also authorized payment of bills.

Key discussions during the meeting included reviewing the Zoning Report and discussing the need for a new ordinance to regulate residents living in campers. Road Master updates covered a pending DEP permit for a culvert, planned spring work on the Community Hall floor, and the delivery of School Zone Signs. The Board is set to meet with an Amish resident regarding a roadway repair letter and contributions toward roads. Discussions on roads also included reviewing South Dry House Road as a potential road crew project and planning for paving joint correction on Kish Street in the spring. The Board unanimously approved the 2026 Budget for the Mifflin County Regional Police Department. Updates from the Municipal Authority indicated the sale of their old location and the signing of a lease agreement for a cell phone tower at the reservoir. Ongoing business involved tabling a quote for downtown park lighting pending monetary assistance from civic organizations, confirming layout submission for the Little League Concession stand, and initiating contact for grant funding for campus improvements. New business included approving the Township Christmas party date and unanimously approving half-days for specific holidays and setting employee Christmas bonus amounts.

The meeting addressed several visitor concerns, including updates on "Hometown Hero" banners, installation timelines for downtown park lighting, and a lengthy discussion regarding residents living in campers on private property, leading to consideration of zoning ordinance amendments. The Supervisors discussed police enforcement regarding school zone signage requiring updated regulatory signs. Road maintenance items included status updates on grading, culvert work, floor scheduling for the Community Hall, and planning for paving joints. The Board tentatively adopted the 2026 General Fund Budget, including a 1/2 mill tax increase, and the 2026 State Liquid Fuel Budget. An executive session was held to discuss personnel matters, during which the Board approved a contingent payment for vehicle damages. The Authority Manager provided an update on the Rockville area sewer extension project.