Jackson Twp. supervisors reorganize for 2026, pass data center ordinance

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Jackson Township supervisors reappointed Thomas Houtz as chairman during a reorganization meeting on Jan. 5.

Michael Dunkle was reappointed vice-chairman and Thomas Morrissey Jr. as secretary of the board. 

Bryan Weaver was newly appointed to serve as road foreman. The previous Jackson Township road foreman, Tim Hibshman, retired in 2025 after 34 years of service. Hibshman was recognized with a proclamation passed at the board’s December meeting.

Township secretary Mandy Fidler will continue to serve as treasurer. Fidler was reappointed as open records officer, with Debora Shewmaker as alternate. Other reappointments include zoning hearing board members Scott Yeagley (chairman) and Larry Wenger (alternate) for three-year terms and sewer authority member Donald Gettle for a five-year term. Summer Petruska was reappointed for a five-year term on the recreation advisory board, and Todd Kauffman for a one-year term on the vacancy board. Warren Weaver was reappointed for a five-year term with the industrial development authority.

Firms reappointed include Barley Snyder with Paul Bametzreider as legal counsel for the Jackson industrial development authority and Barley Snyder with Bametzreider and Megan Ryland Tanner as legal counsel for the township. Bold Accounting Services continues as township accountant, and Henry Beaver Attorneys at Law with Roberta Santiago as legal counsel for the zoning hearing board. 

Steckbeck Engineering & Surveying Inc. was retained as township engineer with Stephen Sherk as consulting engineer. Dan Becker of Herbert, Rowland & Grubic Inc. was reappointed as assistant engineer. Houtz noted HRG is a change in name after HRG acquired Becker Engineering, which previously served the township, in 2025.

Reappointed members of the agricultural advisory committee are Dennis Grumbine, Moses Martin, Ken Sandoe, Dale Martin, and Clyde E. Deck. Jay Martin was reappointed as emergency management agency coordinator, with Tim Behm as his deputy.

Houtz was confirmed as the new tax collection committee voting delegate, and Warren Weaver was reappointed as voting alternate. Dunkle will serve as the PSATS voting delegate. Mark Payonk, Jeff Shewmaker, and Daniel Gruber were reappointed to the building code appeal board.

Commonwealth Code Inspection Service with Dwayne Horst as building code official and Karen Brown as code enforcement officer were also reappointed for 2026.

In other business:

• Supervisors voted to close the public hearing and adopt Data Center Ordinance 6-2025 restricting data centers in the township’s industrial zoning district.

• Engineer Stephen Sherk said the township was approved to receive a grant through the Greenways, Trails, and Recreation Program for $250,000 from the Commonwealth Financing Authority for the Wheatland Woods Lot 107 project. Supervisors approved proceeding with phase two of the neighborhood park. Construction began in September. Paving of the walking trails and installation of two pickleball courts and a half basketball court are planned to be completed this spring or summer.

• Approved a contract with Woodland Contractors quoted at $18,950 for the removal of two buildings at Fairlane Avenue.
• Approved moving a heater to Bay 7 at the township building.
• Christmas tree collection began on Jan. 2 and will continue on Jan. 9, 12, and 16, beginning at 7 a.m.

The Jackson Township Board of Supervisors will meet next on Tuesday, Jan. 20, at 7:30 p.m. at 60 N. Ramona Road.