This article was funded by LebTown donors as part of our Civic Impact Reporting Project.
Richland Borough Council appointed Adam Johnson to a council seat at the April 14 meeting.
Johnson, an engineer who has lived in Richland for 26 years, was sworn in by Mayor Owen Landes. He filled the vacancy created when Mark Brubaker resigned on Feb. 10, ending his term earlier than the intended date of Dec. 31, 2029.
Council voted to make a request to PennDOT to evaluate the intersection of Chestnut and Elm streets and New Street. Township engineer Casey Kerschner of Herbert, Rowland and Grubic said council had enquired about options for improving safety at the intersection, which has poor visibility in both directions.
Landes and Larry Hartman expressed concerns about the impact increased traffic from the planned Richland Green development could have on the already busy intersection. A start date for construction of Richland Green, a private townhome community, has not been announced.
Council also approved a waiver request for the developer of Richland Green to use C-900 pipe material instead of the ductile iron pipe material required in the borough’s water pipe regulations. Kerschner said C-900 is less expensive and widely accepted.
In other business, council:
- Heard an update from Kerschner regarding the Well No. 9 project. The tank is operational but unable to communicate with the reservoir due to ongoing antenna issues, which Kershner said they are seeking solutions for. Water committee chairman Matt Johnson requested an updated time frame for completion of the project, which began in February 2025 with projected completion by October 2025.
- Approved a contract to continue working with York based YSM Landscape Architects for phase two of the Dr. E.O. Moehlmann Field park project. It will include an entrance memorial plaza, basketball half-court, fitness plaza, off-street parking area with an ADA space, Pine Street sidewalk improvements, landscaping, and a DCNR funding recognition sign. Total budget for the project, funded in part by DCNR, is $353,400. Council president Kelly Bricker said a start date for phase two has not been set.
- Approved advertisement of a Knox Box ordinance to be voted on in May.
- Approved a $907.50 quote for park mulching and maintenance by Oakdale Nursery. Bricker abstained from the vote.
- Heard public comment from Dana Moyer with a Richland TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) update on fundraising successes with apple dumpling sales and a donation jar at Ulrich’s Farm Market.
Richland Borough Council will meet again on Tuesday, May 12, at 7 p.m. in the borough building at 5 Pine St., Richland.
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