Annville commissioners advised of paid fire department administrator position

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Chief Phil Snavely and President Ryan Flynn from the Annville-Cleona Fire Department approached the Annville Township Board of Commissioners on April 7 about a full-time fire department administrator position.

This would be the only position of its kind in Lebanon County, although similar models exist in Cumberland and Dauphin counties.

Snavely told commissioners that the fire department’s volunteer rate is steadily declining, and Flynn added that “the doers are already doing,” meaning the community members who are volunteering with the fire department are already doing what they can in the time they have available.

For Snavely, between his job, family, and other responsibilities, that’s 10 hours per week. Yet, he told commissioners he spends some or all of those hours handling non-operational duties — even while delegating tasks. He added that he would rather those under him complete fire training or respond to calls than handle these tasks.

The paid fire department administrator position is intended to meet the fire department’s two greatest needs: staffing and administrative duties. The ideal candidate would be administratively strong — and familiar with grant writing — but also trained to drive fire apparatus and fight fires. The position would have an 18-month initial term, which could be extended, given that the position is beneficial and fiscally responsible for the community.

Snavely and Flynn asked commissioners to consider covering worker’s compensation for the new position. They also thanked commissioners and the community for their continued support of the fire department, which responds to around 600 calls per year.

At the April 7 meeting, commissioners unanimously voted to decline Hillbilly Hooch’s request to be part of Historic Old Annville Day, which would have required a secure area where alcohol is being served, with only one entrance and exit.

Commissioners unanimously voted to approve a $250 contribution to America250 Lebanon County.

Commissioners unanimously voted to proceed for bidding on a new trash contract, which would be for a three-year contract. The township has a bit more than a year left on its current trash contract. Commissioners also unanimously voted to proceed with applying for a recycling grant to cover the cost of two new pieces of equipment.

Commissioners unanimously approved a road closure at Cumberland Street from Saylor Street to Long Street on Saturday, July 18, for a block party.

Commissioners unanimously approved shifting the Ordinance 705 fee schedule from an ordinance to a resolution, which saves the township time and publication fees. Commissioners also unanimously approved Resolution 20260407-01, which permits the township to dispose of outdated records.

Commissioners unanimously approved a letter of intent to participate in the regional fire steering committee, which is composed of representatives from several municipalities to reflect on the findings of the state fire study and discuss the future of fire leadership in their communities.

Commissioners unanimously approved Resolution 20260407-02, which covers the sewer fees at the baseball field on North Long Street for the Annville-Cleona Youth League up to $1,000 per year. Commissioners decided to cover these fees in lieu of other recreational facilities in the township. Although not anticipated, any sewer fees over $1,000 would be the youth league’s responsibility.

With previously proposed locations for four-way stop signs in the township being deemed unwarranted by engineering studies conducted by L-Tech Engineering, commissioners unanimously moved to request that a free engineering study be conducted by L-Tech Engineering at Railroad and Maple streets.

“The person who wrote in a letter to us about this particular location at Railroad and Maple streets indicated that there was actually an accident there recently, which is one of the potential indicators for having a four-way stop sign. That person … also indicated that there are some issues with sight distance at that particular location, at least from his opinion,” said commissioner Anthony Perrotto.

During the old business portion of the meeting, Chief Andrew Winters reported that speed signs are being posted on Maple Street between April 2 and 16. The data collected by the speed signs will be generated into a report, including the number of vehicles traveling east and west and the number of vehicles traveling at certain rates of speed, which is anticipated to be ready for discussion at the commissioners’ May meeting. Winters added that VASCAR lines can be thrown down on the freshly repaved street if needed.

In other news, commissioners unanimously moved to:

• Approve the April 7 agenda and the March 3 regular meeting minutes.
• Approve the reports of standing committees, which include public works, public safety, parks and recreation, finance, zoning/code officer, and Annville activities.
  • As part of the public works report, commissioners unanimously approved New Enterprise’s bid for the CDBG grant project in the amount of $198,818.77 and De Gimmell’s bid for crosswalks in the amount of $16,180.40.
• Approve the reports of special committees, which include the fire department and Life Lion EMS, and the solicitor’s report.
• Approve the payment of the township’s bills.

Annville Township commissioners meet on the first Tuesday of the month, with a few scheduled exceptions, starting at 6 p.m. at Annville Township Town Hall at 36 N. Lancaster St., Annville. The board will meet next on Tuesday, May 5.