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Heavy duty State puts weight restrictions on local bridges
MELINDA S. ELMER Record Express Correspondent
, Staff Writer
Transportation difficulties may be in store for Elizabeth Township.
PennDOT recently notified township supervisors that the weight restriction on the Route 501 bridge over Hammer Creek has been lowered to 19 tons, except for 24-ton combination vehicles.
Supervisors discussed alternate routes during their Sept. 9 meeting, noting that township roads rather than state roads may need to be used. Possible increased maintenance costs for its roads would be borne by the township.
Resident Ben Sahd suggested the supervisors send letters to state representatives expressing their concerns. The supervisors voted to compose letters to State Rep. Mindy Fee and Sen. Mike Brubaker.
The supervisors also discussed regional recreation.
Warwick Little League representative Scott Hain told supervisors that his organization would like to finish the baseball field at the rear of the Elizabeth Township Community Park in return for permission to use the field for practices and possibly a few games. Regional Rec Director Curt Strasheim will continue to handle scheduling for both ball fields in the park.
Little League would use the fields from late March through June and again from late August through October. Nothing would be scheduled on Sundays.
A small shed might be requested for equipment storage.
Supervisor Chairman Brian Wiker asked whether the township would be presented with a formal agreement. Hain indicated that the Little League has informal agreements with field owners, with general understanding of who is responsible for what.
Supervisor Rodney May noted that Lititz Christian School has also indicated an interest in using the field. Hain is aware of the school’s interest and is willing to cooperate in sharing the field.
The supervisors agreed to allow Warwick Little League to make improvements to the field and to have first rights of usage as long as field maintenance is continued. The Little League will communicate with road superintendent Glenn Martin to schedule the work.
Also, Lititz recCenter executive director Karen Mailen and board member Bill Coleman updated the supervisors on the finances and membership of the organization. There are currently about 6,500 members, an increase of about 14 percent for the year.
The pair expressed appreciation for the municipality’s annual support and encouraged continued financial support.
Wiker said he believes the recCenter is an asset to the community.
In other new business, requests for Brickerville Fire Company Special Fire Police assistance for traffic control at the Falmouth Goat Races in the Bainbridge Fire Department’s coverage area was denied, as was a request from the Conoy Township Supervisors to assist with traffic control as needed. The requests were denied because of workers’ compensation liability issues, the time and distance involved, and concern that local resources might be stretched too thin.
Martin questioned whether local assistance was being completely disallowed, or if the local fire police would not be covered by township or fire department insurance if they decided to participate.
Supervisors replied that if the Brickerville fire police do decide to participate, they will not be covered by Elizabeth Township or Brickerville Fire Department insurance.
In other business:
The Brickerville Fire Company responded to 11 fire calls and nine fire police incidents in August. The ambulance responded to 43 calls.
The Zoning officer issued five permits in August for work valued at $839,051.
Road Superintendent Glenn Martin reported that the Fox Road bridge project is essentially finished. The township is waiting for guide rail and the final course of pavement. The project has proceeded uneventfully.
Assistant Secretary-Treasurer Rita Snavely prepared the 2014 Minimum Municipal Obligation for the Elizabeth Township Pension Plan. Supervisors approved a resolution acknowledging a pension obligation of $27,663 for next year.
Regional Recreation Director Curt Strasheim reported that 115 children participated in the recCenter’s Summer Playground Program held at Elizabeth Township’s playground at the municipal building. For the program to continue to be successful, there needs to be more public awareness and participation.
A joint meeting of the supervisors and the planning commission will be held Thursday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. to discuss revisions to the Act 167 Plan and Storm Water Management Ordinance.
The next meeting of the Elizabeth Township Supervisors will be Monday, Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. in the municipal building on South View Drive.
The supervisors will inspect the township’s roads on Saturday, Oct. 19, beginning at 7:30 a.m.
The annual budget preparation meeting will be Monday, Oct. 21, at 7 p.m.
The monthly collection of recyclables will be Saturday, Oct. 5 from 8 a.m. until noon at the municipal building.
The Lititz Public Library provides a free story hour for preschoolers and a caregiver on the second Friday of each month at 10 a.m. at the municipal building. No pre-registration is needed. Call the library at 626-2255 for information.
The Brickerville Fire Company offers bingo every Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the fire hall, 10 Hopeland Road. A light supper is available.
The Elizabeth Township Park pavilion, accessed from Route 322 and Keener Road, is available to rent for $65 a day or portion of a day. The restrooms are open for the season for anyone using the park. Call 626-4302.
More ELIZABETH TOWNSHIP, page A3