Annville Township commissioners address trespassing & rodent concerns

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The Annville Township Board of Commissioners addressed resident concerns about trespassing and awarded a bid for the Locust Street stormwater project at its November meeting.

Diane Carrol, a resident of Willow Drive in east Annville, raised concerns about visitors to the Quittie Creek Nature Park trespassing on adjacent properties.

The popular entrance to the nature park has invited an abundance of traffic — foot traffic and otherwise — to Willow Drive, which has resulted in visitors crossing into neighboring property despite “private property” signage.

“I pay for liability insurance … it’s my right to say if I want strangers on my property or not,” Carrol said regarding the influx of trespassers on her property.

Carrol was accompanied by several other neighbors who had similar concerns.

The township previously heard concerns about trespassing on Willow Drive in 2012. At this meeting, the previous board and township manager concluded that they would not place signage at Willow Drive to avoid directing visitors to that entrance. Additionally, there was discussion about the possibility of a swing gate being installed at the entrance of the trail. A gate was never installed.

Hearing the residents’ concerns this month, the current board decided the township would look into placing a “dead end” sign or moving the current “no outlet” sign to a more visible location at Willow Drive to reduce unnecessary traffic.

Additionally, township manager Candie Johnson assured residents that the next edition of Annville Township’s Town Crier would include acceptable entrances and availability for parking for those who want to utilize the nature park trails.

Johnson also encouraged residents to contact her with additional concerns. To reach the township staff, visit the Annville Town Hall at 36 N. Lancaster St. or call 717-867-4476. For emergencies, call 911. For non-emergencies, call the Western Lebanon County Regional Police Department at  717-838-8189.

Commissioners also heard concerns from residents on Cedar Street about speeding and the feeding of rodents and stray cats.

Residents said that rush hour traffic on Cedar Street often exceeds the 25-mph speed limit and poses a threat to public safety.

Western Lebanon County Regional Police Chief Andrew Winters said the department will place speed signs and increase presence on Cedar Street to enforce the speed limit.

Additionally, Johnson said the Town Crier will include notices about feeding stray cats and squirrels to prevent infestations.

During the regular business portion of the meeting, commissioners unanimously voted to award Custer Excavating Inc. the Locust Street stormwater project for $65,827.90. The project has to continue with the approval process next month before construction is set to begin, public works supervisor Les Powell said.

Commissioners also made several routine approvals, voting to approve:

• The 2025 meeting dates, which will include a new start time of 6 p.m.
• Advertisement of the 2025 township budget.
• Advertisement of the 2025 Tax Levy and Appropriations Ordinance.
• The 2024-25 Stray Housing Agreement.
• The 2025 holiday schedule.

Also at this month’s meeting, the board unanimously approved:

• Ordinance 690, which formally disbands the Annville Township Police Department and approves the township’s joining of the regional department.
• Ordinance 691, which amends the township’s panhandling and loitering policy to maintain consistency with Palmyra Borough’s code.
• Parking space lease agreement with Lebanon Valley College.
• An intermunicipal agreement with the Lebanon County treasurer’s office.
• Amendments to the township employee manual to reflect updated sections on Americans with Disabilities Act compliance, sexual harassment and medical marijuana policies.
• Annville United Methodist Church’s request to play holiday music at the fountain at the intersection of Routes 422 and 934, pending the submission of appropriate paperwork.
• Reports of standing and special committees and payment of township bills.
• October meeting minutes, conditional to an amendment requested by commissioner Anthony Perrotto for a clarifying statement regarding this vote against the granting of waivers for the Pioneer Management subdivision plans.

The Board of Commissioners of Annville Township meets at 7 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held in the township building at 36 N. Lancaster St. and are open to the public. Next month’s meeting will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 3.