N. Annville Twp. supervisors approve fire company’s apparatus replacement plan

This article was funded by LebTown donors as part of our Civic Impact Reporting Project.

North Annville Township supervisors unanimously approved a fire apparatus replacement plan that will replace two emergency vehicles at an estimated cost of $1.47 million.

The plan, approved on May 12, calls for the purchase of two fire vehicles, including a new 2,000-gallon engine at a cost of $1.25 million and a new 500-gallon brush/attack vehicle priced at $225,000. Additionally, the plan provides a timeline that shows other vehicle replacement needs through 2043.

Mark Sallada, deputy fire company chief for North Annville Fire Company, presented the proposal along with the company’s financial report, which was requested by residents in April, and emergency calls by apparatus for the former Bellegrove and Union Water Works fire companies over the past several years.

Those two companies are operating as one entity now, although officials are still waiting for recognition from the state since some official documentation for the merger needs to be filed and finalized.

Sallada said during the meeting the $225,000 vehicle is basically a wash since the company plans to sell two older vehicles valued at $215,000. 

A chart and balance sheet shows the company’s general fund stands at $475,000, the township has earmarked $200,000 over the past two years toward new vehicles, and the $215,000 sale leaves a balance of $585,000 toward the impending purchases.

After the meeting, township supervisor Aaron Miller told LebTown that North Annville is now in a holding pattern to see if the municipality receives a state grant towards the $585,000 balance. A decision on that is expected from state officials, according to Miller, sometime in October. 

“We’re going for a grant that’s worth $475,000, not guaranteed, but if that comes through, we’ll only be $110,000 short,” Miller said. “If that grant comes through, we can sign up for the truck, finalize the deal, and apply the grant. If not, we’ll still have to finalize the deal, move forward, and the township will have to finalize that remaining nearly $600,000.”

In April, supervisors had an agenda item that would have levied a 1 mill tax to purchase the new apparatus. At that meeting, no residents spoke against the increase but they did ask for a clear picture of the fire company’s finances. The meeting became contentious over how financial information was disseminated.

Read More: Heated conversation at North Annville Twp. meeting over fire vehicle tax

The May meeting was much calmer, with Sallada answering a few questions and supervisors eventually approving the apparatus plan. It was not stated how the township will cover the $585,000 expense if it does not receive the state grant this fall.

Clear Spring Road bridge closure

In other business, board chairman Clyde Meyer read an email dated May 9 from Norfolk Southern concerning the closed bridge on Clear Spring Road that notes there will be “no quick fix” for it: 

“Norfolk Southern has engaged Michael Baker to design repairs for the approach retaining walls to the bridge. They had a site visit on Wednesday to get initial information for the walls. At this time it does not appear that there is a quick fix for the problem given the height of the walls, minor rotation and proximity to the roadway. Designs and repair is underway but will likely take three, four months based on the information we have at this time.”

Meyer explained that the timeframe mentioned by the railroad official “is just for engineer design work, that is not the actual fix. So we don’t know how long it’s going to be shut down.”

The road was closed on Wednesday, May 7, by township officials after deficiencies were found within the bridge’s structure during a biennial inspection on April 28. Wolfe told LebTown before the meeting that Norfolk Southern is responsible for fixing the bridge.

“The PUC issued an order that it’s Norfolk Southern’s responsibility to fix the bridge and it’s the township’s responsibility to implement and maintain the detour, but the township has the ability to request a hearing before the PUC to request the costs it incurred in implementing the detour,” Wolfe said.

During the meeting, Wolfe read that the township spent $728.82 for the concrete blocks to block Clear Spring Road at either entrance to the bridge.

Read More: Clear Spring Road in N. Annville Twp. closed indefinitely due to bridge defects

Amending fences, walls and hedges ordinance

In a separate item, supervisors read proposed changes to a zoning ordinance concerning fences, walls, and hedges. Section 509 of the township zoning ordinance would be amended to read:

“Fences, walls and hedges cannot be established within any right of way (50 feet in width) or 25 feet from the center yellow line of all public roads that obstruct line of sight and can not jeopardize safe entry of vehicles onto adjoining roadways. Any disputed situations would be referred to the township roadmaster. Fences, walls and hedges cannot obstruct line of sight at any public intersection or neighboring driveways accessing a public road (see ordinance 508). The solid portion of the fences, walls and hedges cannot exceed six feet in height (above six feet must be 50% open) within 100 feet of neighboring residence or 8’ height within 150’ of neighboring residence (finished side out). Any damage caused by livestock or pets on neighboring properties due to deficient fencing construction or lack of maintenance is the responsibility of livestock or pet owners.”

This ordinance will be considered at a future public meeting for adoption.  

Other action items

Supervisors also voted unanimously to: 

• Issue two nuisance ordinance violations for two properties located at 1762 and 2107 Thompson Ave.
• Approve the minutes of the April 14 treasurer’s report and meeting minutes. 
• Read and approve the monthly bills.
• Announce that roadside mowing will soon begin in the township.
• Promote a free paper shredding event for Lebanon County residents at the county landfill on Friday, June 13, from 8 a.m. until noon. The event will take place at GLRA’s recycling center at 1805 Russell Road, Lebanon. Residents must have ID and are asked to limit their paper-only products to five file boxes or five paper bags.

North Annville Township supervisors meet the second Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m. in the Union Water Works social hall, 2875 Water Works Way, Annville.