N. Annville Twp. supervisors reorganize, discuss ordinance nuisance enforcement

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North Annville Township supervisors reorganized for 2026 at their Jan. 5 meeting, reappointing Clyde Myers as board chairman.

Supervisors also held a discussion about a growing volume of nuisance ordinance violations received within the township and possible enforcement options moving forward.

Supervisor Adam Wolfe said it seems the township is getting more nuisance-related complaints than in the past and wanted to discuss “smoother enforcement methods” than what’s being used.

Currently, he said, the township solicitor sends a letter to the violator, with Wolfe typically then learning from the property owner that the information in the letter is inaccurate. 

“So then I have to kind of iron out from what was really going on and then go out and meet with the property owner,” Wolfe said. “I thought maybe if we were to contract nuisance ordinance enforcement out to somebody that they could kind of handle the whole process from start to finish, ideally where complaints would be forwarded to an enforcement officer and they would investigate to see if the complaint’s valid, if it is warrants the issuance of a violation notice. (They would) see the process through to resolution of the issue.”

Supervisor Aaron Miller has contacted a company that contracts township ordinance enforcement and received two options from them, the board learned. Miller said either option could potentially save township dollars if they pursue one. Miller added he would get additional information and present it at a future meeting.

Prior to deciding to discuss this issue further and make a decision at a future meeting, resident James Hoffman advised supervisors to create parameters to avoid potential “nuisance” filings from neighbors who may be feuding between themselves and don’t have a legitimate ordinance violation complaint. 

In recent months, supervisors have received a number of complaints concerning properties that need to be mowed and excessive vehicles being stored on properties, all of which are in violation of existing township zoning ordinances.  

Board reorganizes

Pennsylvania law requires municipal and school boards to hold annual (or biennial for boroughs) reorganization meetings in early December/January, with specific procedures for temporary officers, swearing-in new members (following RULONA rules), electing permanent officers, and adhering to Sunshine Laws for public notice.

In addition to Meyer’s reappointment, Miller retained his seat as vice chairman, while Wolfe will remain board secretary/treasurer. Miller also will continue to serve as the board representative to the township planning commission.

Paul Bametzreider of Barley Snyder law firm was renamed township solicitor and Roberta Santiago of the Henry & Beaver law firm will be township zoning hearing board solicitor.

Chrisland Engineering was retained as general township engineer, Becker Engineering (now part of HRG) was reappointed to conduct sewer-related matters for the township, and Wilson Engineering was picked to conduct bridge engineering work. Additionally, Becker Engineering was appointed to complete the Chapter 94 report, which concerns municipal wasteload management, on behalf of the township. 

The trio of Eric Brummer, Paul DeShong, and Gary Tshudy were selected as zoning heard board members, with James Hoffman appointed as board alternate. 

Brian Keck was appointed to a four-year term on the township planning commission, with Miller maintaining his position as supervisor representative to the commission.

Supervisors voted to keep Calvin Hostetter as machine operator and set his rate at $25 per hour. His job is to mow grasses along North Annville Township roadbanks up to three times per year, a task that requires about 70 hours annually. 

Another motion was approved to retain John Poff and Patrick Brewer as building code appeal board members, and name Rick Horst to replace William Smeltzer, who passed away in 2024. Carrie Boyer replaces Horst as board alternate. 

In another move, Stephan McNamara was reappointed North Annville Township emergency management coordinator for 2026.

Voted to retain their seats as North Annville Township representatives on the Lebanon County Tax Collection Committee were Bryan Hoffman as primary voting delegate and supervisor Wolfe as alternate voting delegate.

Supervisors also made financial contributions to North Annville Fire Company and its life squad, Annville Free Library, and Lebanon County Farmland Preservation.

In 2025, supervisors voted to give both Bellegrove and Union Water Works fire companies $18,000 each even though they had merged and were operating as North Annville Fire Company as of Jan. 1 that year. Additionally, Bellegrove Life Squad received a $9,000 donation last year. It was noted at last year’s reorganization meeting that the former fire companies were maintaining separate bank accounts until each had received their respective annual state fire company funding grants for 2025.

For 2026, North Annville Fire Company and its life squad were provided $47,500 as part of the township’s annual donation, up $2,500 from the previous year.

Supervisors increased their annual contribution to the local library by $500 to $8,500. They also paid the fourth installment of $5,000 toward the library’s expansion project, making their total contribution for 2026 $13,500.

In a separate financial move, supervisors voted to maintain their $5,000 annual donation to Lebanon County Farmland Preservation.

Other township business

In other business, supervisors unanimously voted to: 

• Announce that the treasurer’s bond would remain at $1.5 million.
• Announce that Fulton Bank and PLGIT will remain as the township’s financial institutions for 2026.
• Accept the minutes of their Jan. 6, 2025, reorganization meeting.
• Reaffirm the 2026 meeting calendar schedule as previously announced. 

Next meeting

The next regularly scheduled meeting of North Annville Township supervisors is on Monday, Jan. 12, at 7:30 p.m. in Union Water Works social hall, 2875 Waterworks Way, Annville. Supervisors meet the second Monday of each month.