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The Heidelberg Township Board of Supervisors plans to dip into township reserves to pave two roads this year, as discussed at their meeting Feb. 25.
Five roads are on the township’s radar for paving, but the budgeted $245,000 could only pay for completing one, and supervisors noted that roads are falling into disrepair quicker than they are being repaved.
“If we don’t get a little aggressive about these, we’re going to fall behind the eight ball,” said chairman Paul Fetter.
Based on estimated cost to pave Sheep Hill and Spring Haven roads, the township will likely pull around $100,000 from the reserves, which Fetter said total over $2.5 million.
Supervisor Ted Cromleigh agreed with Fetter, saying that while he would prefer not to dip into township reserves, “we have to keep the roads in respectable condition.”
The township has received numerous complaints that multiple roads in the township are in desperate need of paving, Cromleigh said. Fetter floated the possibility of paving two roads again next year to catch up.
Ultimately, the board unanimously voted to advertise the project, paving Sheep Hill and Spring Haven roads, for bids.
The board also discussed years-long neighbor complaints with Steve Smucker, the owner of a warehouse at 200 S. Church St.
Cromleigh said the township has received complaints from neighbors that combination trucks damage neighboring properties while accessing the warehouse’s lower dock. Other neighbors complain that trucks drive on no-truck residential roads and cause property damage.
In July 2024, a Heidelberg Avenue resident said trucks en route to the warehouse repeatedly damaged his fence and the curb.
At that time, supervisors noted that truck traffic is already banned on South Church Street, but, paradoxically, an installed “no trucks” sign was destroyed by a combination truck. The township has since reinstalled signage, which Smucker said he was supportive of.
Smucker said he was under the impression he had smoothed things over with neighbors, emphasizing that he only receives around three box trucks a month.
In order to reach the warehouse’s lower dock, trucks must cross a bridge and navigate tight spaces.
Smucker said that since complaints increased, he has asked that truck drivers call first, both so he can reinforce the route (turning onto Weidman Road, then Sheep Hill Road to get to the warehouse) and make sure an employee is outside to guide them to the dock.
Despite this, Cromleigh said neighbors have continued to complain about property damage. He also noted that neighbor complaints may be the least of Smucker’s problems, as a weight study on the bridge may find that it cannot handle the appliance-filled combination trucks traveling to the warehouse.
Smucker’s attorney said the township cannot prevent Smucker from operating his business, especially as previous owners also brought in vehicles. The township attorney countered that previous owners brought in smaller trucks and were not causing neighbors property damage.
Cromleigh suggested that Smucker unload wares in the warehouse’s large parking lot, perhaps using a box truck to move it across the bridge. Smucker countered that he did not have a box truck, and it is “not practical” for him to unload in the parking lot.
No resolution was reached Tuesday, with Smucker saying he was going to continue to bring trucks in. Cromleigh advised he reach out to neighbors, and Smucker asked if the township could direct those who complain to contact him directly to find a solution.
The board furthered discussions of a burning ordinance, directing the solicitor to move forward with a draft that is specific about what can and cannot be burned and specifies that burning is not allowed on Sundays or holidays.
Cromleigh said revising the burning ordinance has been “one of the bigger things I’ve struggled with since I’ve been on the board.” In particular, he said considerations of whether to ban burning outright in the town, where residents complain of a thick layer of smoke that hangs in the air, have been on his mind.
For now, the draft ordinance allows burning in all zones, but the board will consider public feedback on options.
Cromleigh, who is up for reelection this year, said he plans to run again.
2025 municipal elections
According to Lebanon County Elections director Sean Drasher, close to 300 seats, from municipal boards to poll worker positions, are up for grabs in the 2025 municipal election. However, thus far the elections office has noted few candidates picking up petitions.
Those interested in running have until March 11 to submit completed petitions, with most offices only requiring 10 signatures.
Primaries will be held May 20, with the general election taking place Nov. 4.
In the 2021 municipal elections, Lebanon County saw around 32 percent turnout for both the primary and general election. For comparison, Drasher estimated that 80 percent of registered voters came out for the 2024 general election.
While municipal elections tend to see low voter turnout, municipal and county government play a significant role in everyday lives, from the maintenance of roads to the oversight of development.
Municipal governments oversee police departments (or negotiate contracts with the state or other departments for service), craft ordinances regulating a plethora of topics, pass budgets that lay the framework for government staffers, and more.
School boards establish policies, handle budgeting and hiring, and ensure compliance with state and federal law.
Elected poll workers work behind the scenes to ensure elections go smoothly. Drasher said that around 180 poll worker positions are open throughout the county.
Drasher urged those interested to run for office, noting that “we need candidates for basically all offices.”
Voters have until May 3 to register and until May 13 to apply for a mail-in ballot for the primary.
For the general election, voters must register by Oct. 20 and apply for a mail-in ballot by Oct. 28.
In other news, the board unanimously:
- Agreed to direct the solicitor to make a $13,120 offer to purchase a .4-acre property from PennDOT, appraised at $16,400. The township has been in discussion with PennDOT on acquiring the property to use as a trailhead for around a year, with PennDOT most recently communicating that with offers of less than 80 percent of market value, the state organization is required to put the property on sealed bid with other public entities.
- Agreed to a stormwater management plan and improvement guaranty for a Lebanon County Department of Emergency Services plan to construct a communication tower on North Market Street, with the entity agreeing to remove the tower in the event its use is discontinued.
- Agreed to allow the Parks and Recreation board handle the design and placement of a donated bench.
- Agreed to release the remaining financial guaranty of $3,191.25 for the Bicher property.
- Agreed to participate in COSTARS for the 2025-26 salt contract.
- Approved the minutes for the Jan. 28 monthly meeting.
Heidelberg Township Board of Supervisors meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. These meetings are open to the public and do not require prior registration.
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