Millcreek swears in police chief, officers; discusses recreation board proposals

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

The Millcreek Township Police Department added a new chapter to its history as a new chief and two officers were sworn in Wednesday, Aug. 12. 

Eric Weidman, chairman of the township supervisors, administered the oath.

Secretary/treasurer Lauren Ritchie said in an Aug. 13 email that Chief Terry Katzaman has been with Millcreek Township Police since 2006, starting out as a part-time police officer. He became a full-time officer in 2007. Before being promoted to chief in May, he was a sergeant. 

“I wanted to continue to serve the citizens of Millcreek Township, inspire my officers and implement new ideas,” Katzaman said in an August 13 email.

During the July 31 special meeting, supervisors unanimously approved hiring two new police officers – one full-time and one part-time – for the department. 

The full-time officer is David Liggett, who comes to Millcreek from the Laureldale Police Department. He retired from the Reading City Police Department as a lieutenant in internal affairs and, during his tenure in Reading, Liggett commanded the traffic unit and served as a sergeant overseeing 36 officers.

The part-time officer is John Lerch III, who is also a full-time corporal for Bethel Township in Berks County. He is familiar with Lebanon County, having worked for the county sheriff’s office and Cleona Borough Police. 

Following the ceremony, township officials opened a discussion of the recreation board’s recommendations on rules and regulations for the Newburg Village recreational path.

Ritchie said road foreman Ryan Risser wanted to add a prohibition on metal detecting, as large patches have appeared from people digging in township parks. 

Prohibited uses proposed by the recreation board include operating any gas-powered vehicle, equipment, or device, such as all-terrain vehicles, dirt bikes, motorcycles, gas-powered scooters, bicycles, and snowmobiles. 

Katzaman suggested that rules and regulations on electric-powered vehicles, such as bikes and scooters, be added. He also recommended that the township consider drafting an ordinance for electric-powered vehicles. 

“We need to give him (Katzaman) a method to be able to enforce,” supervisor Adam Saul said.

Prohibitions on littering, dumping, and the disposal of refuse, yard waste, and other materials are also included. There were also proposed rules prohibiting the destruction, removal, or disturbance of vegetation, wildlife, or natural features. To prevent fire hazards, open fires and fireworks are not allowed.

Authorized uses include walking, jogging, and running, as well as nature observation.

Trail etiquette includes users remaining on designated pathways and trails and exercising courtesy and respect toward fellow users. Users must maintain control of pets and promptly remove waste. Users must avoid creating excessive noise that may disturb others or wildlife.

The proposed rules and regulations for the recreational walking path will be posted on signs once the path is completed. The proposed hours of operation are dawn to dusk.

Also, Dan Lyons, director of the Lebanon County Redevelopment Authority, presented information on Millcreek Township’s Community Development Block Grant Program. The redevelopment authority administers the program for the township. 

Lyons said Millcreek is an entitlement community in the state’s Small Communities Program and receives approximately $90,000 annually from the state for eligible Community Development Block Grant programs and activities. 

The township has been participating in the program since 2022. Lyons said Millcreek has allocated its funding to handicap-accessibility improvements at the township baseball field, which was completed earlier this summer.

There is also a housing rehab program open to income-eligible residents for deferred loans with 0% interest and is forgiven if the property owner stays for five years. The loan is prorated if a property owner does not stay for five years.

“The goal is to benefit folks of low and moderate income, but it can be used to eliminate blight or respond to urgent needs,” Lyons said.

Supervisors also voted unanimously to: 

• Approve a request from New Life Fellowship (formerly United Christian Church of Newmanstown) to host a Tent Revival at Memorial Park. The event is open to the public from Sept. 27 to 30. Sunday services would be at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Weeknight services would be at 7 p.m., ending between 8:30 and 9 p.m. Ritchie said the estimated attendance is 150 to 200. Vice chair John DeSantis asked when the tent would be set up. Ritchie said Sept. 23. Saul said to coordinate with public works on the mowing schedule.
• Authorized solicitor Andrew Morrow of Spitler, Kilgore & Enck, PC Law Firm, to draft a handicap parking ordinance. Morrow also said the public is welcome to comment on a proposed dog kennel ordinance at the Sept. 2 planning commission meeting.
• Accepted a proposal from CM High Inc. to repair a traffic light at Main Street and Sheridan Road for $372.05. Weidman said the push-button signs are faded and need to be replaced.
• Authorized Newmanstown Fire Company fire police to assist Womelsdorf Borough with the POW/MIA motorcycle ride event on Aug. 30. 
• Reappointed Brenda Anderson to the code of appeals board for a one-year term.