Heidelberg Township introduces new officials, disagrees on appointments

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

Following the appointment of new firms for numerous positions at its reorganization meeting, Heidelberg Township supervisors introduced newly appointed officials at their meeting Tuesday, Jan. 27.

New solicitor Paul Bametzreider, of Barley Snyder, responded to a resident question that his hourly rate is $240 per hour, the rate of solicitor Colleen Gallo (who might fill in at some meetings) is $220 per hour, and paralegal rates are $145 per hour.

A resident asked newly appointed supervisor Ivan Martin if rates were comparable to previous solicitor Amy Leonard. Martin responded, “I don’t know what the last ones were.” (Based on reporting in Myerstown Borough, also served by Leonard, she charges a flat rate of $185 per hour.)

In response to a question from chairman Paul Fetter, Bametzreider said he would attend all supervisors meetings, or have Gallo substitute, and that he would also attend other meetings where his attendance is requested.

Following the meeting, Ivan said that he had no problem with the previous solicitor or other officials, but that he felt that with a new board, there should be new officials.

Supervisors also heard from Nick Ebersole of DMA, who said that either he or Hain would be present at both meetings of the supervisors and planning commission. Ebersole confirmed he would be able to present updates at township meetings, as Lynn had while engineer.

Both Ebersole and Bametzreider indicated that they were still in the process of taking over documents and getting up to speed on township affairs with the assistance of the former engineer and solicitor.

Regarding parks and recreation, supervisors heard that the township has received a $100,000 DCNR grant for planned improvements to a .4-acre triangle of land planned to serve as a trailhead for the Schaefferstown Park Trail.

The triangle was purchased from PennDOT after some deliberation for $13,120 last year. The township plans to develop this plot to include 12 parking spaces, a “Welcome to Schaefferstown” sign, a landscaped area with a flagpole, a picnic area with a pavilion, and trees. The township also plans to extend the trail and make other recreation improvements.

This comes as the parks and recreation board has been overseeing improvements to township ballfields. The lower field has been leveled, with plans to add more fencing and bleachers.

In other news, supervisors:

• Discussed a request for event approval from the fire police, ultimately agreeing to a blanket approval of events (such as parades or funerals) within the township, but requiring they obtain board approval for events outside of the township.
• Unanimously approved the Stoltzfus subdivision and land development plan, which subdivides a 2-acre lot for a single-family dwelling on the property, at the recommendation of the planning commission and former engineer. Supervisors also approved a waiver for plan scale and deferrals for road widening and curb improvements to Gibble Road for the plan, as well as associated agreements and financial security.
• Unanimously approved the Achey Pond stormwater management plan, concerning the installation of a pond and surrounding electric fence at 25 Rhine Road, a 34-acre property. Supervisors approved a waiver for pond depth and slope, citing that the pond is blocked off from the sides and as a result does not pose a drowning risk.
• Unanimously approved a time extension for the Keener land plan.
• Unanimously approved deferral for approval of the Snyder subdivision plan, which is located primarily in South Lebanon Township.
• Unanimously approved Hain to take over as the township’s floodplain administrator, as the former engineer held this role.
• Unanimously approved Jackson Township’s recommendation of Tom Houtz to represent the Eastern Lebanon County School Board for the Lebanon County Tax Collection Commission.
• Unanimously approved the purchase of a tablet compatible with the township’s new metering software for $509.
• Unanimously approved the replacement of the AH Moyer fire hydrant for $6,600, with the township ultimately breaking even with insurance claims for the broken hydrant.
• Unanimously agreed to direct utilites operator Justin LaTourette to determine whether the abandonment of utility equipment owned by the township at Juliada Heights will affect the current water system. If not, the township plans to move forward with legal abandonment, as the equipment has been out of use for 40 years.
• Approved minutes and heard reports.

Heidelberg Township Board of Supervisors meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. Due to ongoing renovations at the township building, meetings are being held at Schaefferstown Fire Hall, 200 N. Locust St. Meetings are open to the public and do not require prior registration.