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Bethel Township supervisors tabled a land subdivision plan waiver request for renovations at Fireman’s Park during a special year-end meeting on Monday, Dec. 30.
Township supervisor chairman Richard Rudy said he didn’t believe there was a problem with his voting on the waiver request as a fire company member, but wished to wait to speak with township solicitor Andrew Morrow to ensure there is no conflict of interest.
Township manager Melissa Johnson said there should not be an issue since no township funding is involved in the request. The motion was tabled by a 2-0 vote as Rudy wished to err on the side of caution before casting a vote. The agenda item had to be tabled since township supervisor Michael Saphore was absent from the meeting.
Officials with local poultry producer Bell & Evans have proposed financing the project and are working in cooperation with Fredericksburg Fire Company #1 personnel since the park is owned by the fire department.
At the supervisors’ October meeting, Bell & Evans president Scott Sechler presented several project proposals, including one to erect new facilities at Fireman’s Park, located in the 2600 block of South Pine Grove Street.
“Our business and our family would like to help the community out,” Sechler told the board, which took no action on the proposal during the October meeting. “Not only for Hinkelfest but for meetings and many other things. The park is a beautiful property to begin with and I don’t think it is used enough. We’re presenting our game plan for what we’re willing to do and build.”
Hinkelfest is a local annual celebration of all things chicken held in September at Fireman’s Park.
At the December meeting of the township supervisors, Sechler told the board he wants to make the park an even greater community asset.
In cooperation with the fire department, Bell & Evans has proposed constructing new buildings and bathroom facilities, making parking upgrades and tying water and sewer into the public system.
At Monday’s meeting, supervisor Bruce Light said no construction time would be lost on the project if they tabled the motion until the next meeting. The January meeting is earlier than normal since it is being held to reorganize the board and other township departments.
The next meeting of the township supervisors is at 3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 6, to reorganize and conduct other township business.
Supervisors also voted unanimously to approve a preliminary land development plan waiver request by Bell & Evans for a proposed Ready to Eat facility within the township.
Read More: Bell & Evans officials lay out long-term goals to Bethel Twp. planning officials
The proposed plant, to be built near the intersection of Route 22 and Fredericksburg Road, would produce four flavors of organic and non-organic rotisserie chickens.
“We will cook the whole chicken, marinate it, vacuum pack it while hot, and then chill it,” Sechler told the planning commission in December. “It can then be reheated in a microwave or an oven. There will be no cross-contamination. We will use a high-tech, very specialized cooking system.”
The preliminary land development plan waiver request was unanimously granted by township supervisors. There will be a complete review of the land development plan for the RTE facility at the planning commission’s Jan. 21 meeting.
In other action, supervisors unanimously voted to:
- Pay a repair estimate of $2,139.60 to C.M. High for a 16-channel MMU voltage device at the intersection of Route 22 and Blue Mountain Road.
- Table a motion for consideration of proposals for removal of two underground storage tanks until more bids are received.
- Agree to pay Keystone Petroleum Equipment LTD for a vacuum test totaling $2,494.21.
- Approve planning module component 2 for the Chris Lantz development plan.
- Advertise to hire a part-time employee for the township’s maintenance department.
- Set the township manager and employee compensation for 2025. All township employees were provided raises ranging from 3 to 7 percent.
- Pay bills from the following accounts and following amounts: general: $29,645.18; American Rescue Plan Act: $7,441; park and recreation: $445.
- Accept the minutes of their Dec. 12, 2024 meeting.
Read More: Bethel Township supervisors pass 2025 budget with no tax increase
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