WAYNE HEIGHTS—The Washington Township Board of Supervisors recently held a workshop meeting. The following items were discussed:
- The May Washington Township Code Enforcement Report consisted of a list of violations typical of this time of year, such as tall grass and weeds, and construction without permits. There were also several year-round problems like junk and junk vehicles, trash and tires accumulating on properties, and chickens being raised on properties that do not meet the zoning requirements. In most cases, violations are removed once suitable corrective action is taken.
- The Board received a contract renewal notification from the US Department of Agriculture’s Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). The Township is paid periodically to allow the program to maintain land (especially farmland) in its original condition. The current contract expires in September 2022.
- Supervisors voted to authorize a requested contribution to the Franklin County Drug Task Force. The DTF finances the pursuit of drug traffickers inside and outside the county, and partners with outside jurisdictions for joint investigations. The Township and many other local municipalities have contributed either money or manpower to this effort over many years. Township Police Chief Mike McGovern observed that this is a highly effective collaborative effort that pays dividends for the township.
- Chairman Strausbaugh noted that on 7 June 2022 the Township closed on the loan to finance the new building.
- Police Chief McGovern reported that Cadet Culver graduated from the Police Academy and will begin his field training.
- Antietam Water Association will be celebrating its 20th anniversary on June 25 at 12 noon at Antietam Meadows Park.
- Supervisors approved two conditional uses:
Two M Properties LLC’s request for a group home at 12105 Bayer Drive was granted, with several conditions, including an approval limit of six months.
Biser Farm Partner’s LLC’s request to operate a bed and breakfast operation for fishermen at 13716 Welty Road was granted approval with certain conditions.
- Supervisors approved Resolution 771 authorizing the Township Manager and Assistant Township Manager to execute and sign all necessary documents associated with the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant in the amount of $2 million for the Washington Township Municipal Complex Project. The Governor previously authorized the release of these funds with the submission of a formal and complete RACP application to the Office of the Budget.
- The Township is receiving numerous calls about re-lining recently chipped and treated roads. All the roads that need new lines are state roads for which the work will be done by PENNDOT. Re-lining is not managed locally and is subject to district-wide scheduling.
- Supervisors ratified his request to hire a full-time parks employee, Benjamin Adams.
- Tree work begins in parks during the week of June 20. Several dead trees and tree branches that are endangering structures will be removed. He also reported that there will be a sycamore tree along Gehr Road removed sometime this summer. The road will be closed for a day while the tree is taken down. A specific date will be advertised prior to the work and all impacted neighbors will be notified.
On the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Committee, three development plans were approved by supervisors:
- Pheasant Run II off Tick Road was approved pending bonding and payment of park and recreation fees.
- Farm Spring Estates Lots 117 – 121 were approved for the construction of townhomes that were previously approved as duplexes.
- Walmart Land Development was approved for a buildout in the vicinity of the current pickup parking area on the east end of the building.
