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North Annville Township supervisors reorganized their board on Monday following the resignation of the chairman in May.
The supervisor voted to name former vice chairman Clyde Meyer as chairman as well as road foreman and check signer for all township bank accounts. Randy Leisure, who served as a township supervisor for 10 years, resigned his post and chairmanship at the May meeting due to health concerns.
Aaron Miller, who will fill out the rest of Leisure’s 1.5-year term as a township supervisor as of June 1, was named vice chairman and a representative to the planning commission.
No changes were made to Adam D. Wolfe’s position as township treasurer.
Read More: N. Annville Twp. chairman steps down for health reasons after 10 years of service
Cleona Borough Police Chief Jeffrey J. Farneski reported that his department is receiving complaints about increased truck traffic on State Route 934 now that the bridge crossing the Swatara Creek on State Route 72 is being replaced.
Cleona Borough Police Department contracts with North Annville Township to provide police services in the municipality.
“People are complaining about the trucks on 934, the oversized ones, but we’re very limited on what we can do,” said Farneski. “We can’t do commercial vehicle inspections, that’s connected to the state.”
He added it’s difficult to get a state official to do a commercial vehicle training session, but noted the Pennsylvania State Police has promised to look into setting up a detail to conduct commercial vehicle inspections on that highway.
Farneski said his 2025 budget will include a request to purchase a pick-up truck so his department can do commercial vehicle inspections. His department may also possibly purchase scales to do limited inspections on commercial vehicles.
“Hopefully, we can move forward with that, but they’re expensive, scales aren’t cheap, unfortunately,” said Farneski. “I looked at them years ago and they’re running about 10 grand for one – and you need four. Add it up, it’s a little bit of money, so we’ll see. Time will tell.”
Farneski informed the township supervisors that the two license plate readers purchased by the borough are now operational as of June 7.
“They are actually working, reading the plates and they’re on two cars. You’ll see them driving around reading every plate that goes by,” said Farneski. “There’s already been an increase in the number of tickets.”
He stated that the police department is conducting increased traffic enforcement activities after receiving a $16,000 grant, adding they will continue to occur through the summer and “until the grant money runs out.”
Concerning a non-traffic incident, Farneski said his department is still investigating an illegal dumping complaint on May 16 in North Annville Township.
He said information has been posted on the department’s Facebook page about the incident. That post reads:
“Illegal dumping complaint on 5/16/24 in the area of 8001 Valley Glen Rd. in North Annville Twp. A witness observed a white pickup truck and trailer stopped in the area around 4:15 p.m. When the witness came back through at around 4:35 p.m. the truck was gone. The vehicle was described as possibly being a Ford F250 with black toolboxes in the back. The witness described a white male wearing a white t-shirt and tan shorts standing by the vehicle. Indications are that the actor most likely left the scene traveling over the bridge into North Londonderry Twp.”
It also states: “Additionally, if any residents in the area along Valley Glen Rd., Patton Rd., Glen Rd. or Syner Rd. who might have security video footage of this vehicle, (is asked) to contact the Cleona Police Dept. at 717-274-2510.”
In other business, North Annville Township solicitor Paul Bametzreider said the township supervisors have reviewed two ordinances to address traffic safety on Clear Spring Road. Bametzreider stated the ordinances concern a reduction in the speed limit and tractor trailer length limitations.
Read More: N. Annville Township residents review plans for Clear Spring & 934 roundabout
He said he made one revision as requested by the township supervisors.
“It provides that any business located on Clear Spring Road can apply for an exemption if they demonstrate that they have no alternative route to get to their business,” said Bametzreider. “Then they would be exempt from the 43-foot trailer limitation.”
He added that the ordinances are with the township supervisors and it’s their decision as to when and if they want to adopt those two ordinances. No action on the ordinances was taken at this meeting.
Bametzreider noted that the ordinances may be adopted at the supervisor’s August meeting since signage announcing the new speed limits and trailer-size restrictions would not be installed during July.
Bametzreider also announced that DHL, a logistics company with a warehouse in South Annville Township, had submitted to him for review and comment an agreement for a proposed roundabout at Route 934 and Clear Spring Road.
“I made some changes to it, sent it back and their counsel sent me a revised draft, but I still have to review it before I send it to you guys,” said Bametzreider. “So that’s where it’s at right now.”
Two free community events for Lebanon County residents were announced near the end of the meeting.
There will be a free paper shredding event for Lebanon County residents only on Friday, July 12 from 8 a.m. until noon at the Greater Lebanon Refuse Authority. More information about the event can be found here. Residents who may have questions about this event should call 717-867-5790 to get more information.
There will also be a License Plate Replacement event on July 9 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Lebanon Valley Exposition Center and Fairgrounds in North Cornwall Township. Hosted by Sen. Chris Gebhard, residents are asked to call the district office at 717-274-6735 for more details or to pre-register. Residents are to bring their vehicle registration card to receive their free replacement plate.
Read More: Senator Gebhard invites residents to replace worn license plates on July 9
In actions taken by the supervisors during the meeting, they voted to:
- Approve the minutes of their May 13 meeting.
- Accept the treasurer’s report as presented at their May 13 meeting.
- Read and agree to pay various monthly township bills.
The Board of Supervisors of North Annville Township meets at 7:30 p.m. on the second Monday of each month. Meetings are held in the Union Water Works Social Hall at 2875 Waterworks Way and are open to the public. Next month’s meeting will be held on Monday, July 8.
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