Millcreek Township approves easement for new 2,700-foot-long walking path

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The Millcreek Township Board of Supervisors on Wednesday unanimously approved an easement agreement for a 2,700-foot-long walking path planned for a 14-acre field adjacent to Abbey Lane and Progress Drive, despite some pushback from nearby residents.

The easement, between Millcreek-Richland Joint Authority and the township, concerns a pipe owned by the authority near where the path is planned. It specifies that the walking path is allowed to move forward, and that the authority is guaranteed access to the pipe.

Several neighbors of the 14-acre property voiced concerns. Some pointed out parts of the trail it comes close to neighboring properties, saying the public use of the space poses a safety risk to them and their children.

Brenda Anderson of Progress Drive said, “We have children who are playing out here, this is opening it up to the public; we have sex offenders living in Newburg Village. They can now come over and legally walk the property.”

Though the publicly owned space is already open to the public, Anderson said it is rare for anyone to walk it, and when they do neighbors can ask them what they’re doing.

Others asked about potential stormwater issues, with the walking path being built around a stormwater basin.

Engineer Alex Kauffman said the basin is why the path is planned so close to neighboring properties to the south, though he said he would make sure the design was as far away from neighbors as possible without affecting the basin.

Supervisor Eric Weidman promised the path “will be as far away from the property as possible.”

The project, using ARPA funds that would be returned to the federal government if the project was cancelled, has been in consideration for years — discussed 21 times by supervisors and the recreation board since 2021, according to supervisor Scott Moyer — but supervisors only learned of neighbors’ concerns this year.

Read More: Millcreek Township supervisors field concerns about walking path

Rec board president Justin Arndt voiced frustration with how late in the project neighbors got involved, noting that the park is planned to include a three-phase recreation area including pickelball and tennis courts.

“I don’t understand why, as a community, I struggle so hard to get volunteers. Every event I try and I struggle,” said Arndt. “I am so glad people showed up tonight, I am. But please work with everybody.”

Kiri Arndt, in charge of the summer playground and Justin’s wife, said they had very little feedback from the community while working on plans for the park, despite attempting to get residents involved.

“It’s very frustrating for us to now have spent all this time working on these plans and have people be like, ‘Well we don’t like it because it’s in our backyard,’ but it is not your own space,” said Arndt.

In public comment, multiple residents of South Mountain Road complained of six or seven kids riding dirt bikes and other motorized vehicles on the road and in driveways, including those of residents, loudly and disruptively for hours each day.

Resident Judy Weik alleged the bikes are loud enough to disrupt her home life and said exhaust fumes affect the air quality both outside and inside.

Residents alleged harassment, including instances of bikers parking outside of their homes and revving their engines, and say attempts to mediate with parents have been unsuccessful.

“We feel harassed, we feel terrorized, we feel unsafe,” said Weik. “It really doesn’t matter if they’re on the road illegally or on their own property; it’s affecting us terribly. The noise is absolutely horrendous; we can’t be outside, we really can’t be inside.”

Police Chief Brian Hostetter said this was his first time hearing of the issue, and asked neighbors to speak to him outside of the meeting to determine next steps. Neighbors also provided the addresses of the people they believe are responsible for the disruption.

In other news, the board:

• Signed the JF Martin Cold Storage Land Development Plan, including a 176,172-square-foot cold storage and distribution facility on the 140-acre former Zimmerman farm.

Read More: Cold storage facility planned for former Zimmerman Farm in Millcreek Township

• Unanimously agreed to bid oil and chip coatings for five roads for this year, as the township was given an estimate of $183,000 just to pave one road and the board hopes to save money into next year to undergo paving. The oil and chip coating, on roads that were paved within 10 years, will seal the top of the road to prevent additional cracks from forming and strengthen the longevity of the road
• Unanimously approved a revised sewage module for a site on Bethany Road.
• Unanimously agreed to make donations of $10,000 to Newmanstown Volunteer Fire Company, $1,250 to Millcreek Road and Gun Club (members of whom specified donated funds go primarily to free children’s programs, including gun safety lessons and kids’ fishing programs), $1,000 to Richland Library, and $2,000 to the recreation board.
• Agreed to send a “thank you” letter to Blue Triton for a recent $5,000 donation.
• Unanimously approved a request for the use of Memorial Park for a “Music in the Park” concert series.
• Unanimously approved the purchase of a PLAUD voice recorder for $159 for use by the township secretary during meetings.
• Unanimously approved a $59 monthly cloud-based back-up for the office computer.
• Unanimously accepted the resignation of Bradley Shanaman as assistant EMA coordinator.
• Unanimously approved a resolution adopting new cadmium wastewater discharge limits, with the state recently decreasing limits and municipalities being required to follow state law.
• Unanimously agreed to adopt a revised version of a brake retarder ordinance to use more specific language.
• Unanimously approved a cable franchise agreement with Comcast.
• Unanimously approved minutes and reports.

Millcreek Township supervisors meet the second Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. Meetings are open to the public and do not require prior registration.