Board of Supervisors - Regular Meeting

Good evening. Welcome to the June 23rd iteration of the Dairy Township Board of Supervisors meeting. Would you please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Jackson, can we have the roll call, please?

Sure. Supervisor Carado. Here. Supervisor Myers.

Present.

Supervisor Ballard. Here. And Supervisor Zamuda. Here. We have four present this evening.

Okay, we have a quorum. That's good. That brings us to our first public comment session. Anybody who'd like to have a say, please jump up to the microphone and speak your piece.

Good evening. My name is Glenn Foster. My family lives at 2288. Joanne Avenue. My comments tonight are in regard to the proposed Clifton Heights apartment development. The sketch plan of which was presented by the developer Keystone custom homes at the board of supervisors meeting on May 12, 2026. Specifically, my concerns are the comments made by the board chair, Mr. Zamuda, to the developer. I understand that the intent of the developer was to present to the board a sketch plan and obtain feedback from the board. This is fine. It is also fine that Mr. Zamuda expressed his concerns about the sketch plan, specifically the proposed extension of Duria Drive. The residents also expressed their legitimate concerns about this proposed extension. Where Mr. Zamuda crossed the line was when he asked the developer to explore the purchase of additional properties in order to create another avenue by connecting Clifton Heights Road to Locust Street, strongly implying the township would favor this alternative. What you did Mr. Zamuda was pander to the Stone Creek residents. So what that you had a few unpleasant conversations. For you to suggest that a connection to Locust Street from where drivers would turn east on Joanne Avenue is a better alternative has no basis in fact. Joanne Avenue is a narrow street, just 21 feet wide with no sidewalk. Somehow you think this is a better alternative. What I expect from the board is a fair and impartial process where the interest of all township residents are considered, not just the interest of one group of residents. Putting your thumb on the scale in favor of some residents and predetermining the outcome is unacceptable. I expect the board to follow the review process and make a decision based upon facts and input from all concerned. Why not conduct the traffic study considering all of the alternatives, extending Durya Drive, extending Locust Street, and Clifton Heights Road, and select the best and safest alternative? Thank you for the opportunity to address the board. I look forward to a fair process that considers the interest of all township residents. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Foster. Anybody else?

Hello, my name is Janice Regan, and I reside at University Manor East, Hershey, Pennsylvania, 17033. I want to talk about an asset that makes Derry Township a key player in the region, our educational and medical complex, which drives important research and provides health care for the area. Much of the research is often done by students who come here from across the country and around the world. They arrive, earn an income, and pay local taxes. They rent from landlords who pay property taxes that support the township. These students spend their money at local businesses and on local entertainment. That is a benefit to our economy on top of their work in medical research. In short, these students bring Derry Township meaningful financial benefits. But some have concerns, particularly those who are here on visas. Concerns about legal safeguards about their data being shared with the federal government. These and other concerns lead them to consider training elsewhere that has such protections. And if these students leave, we lose their spending and their contributions. These are not concerns that a single meeting with community members will resolve. These concerns call for concrete action, actions that tell these students that they are supported while they do the work that supports Derry Township and contributes to our tax base. That is one reason I am asking the township to consider and pass an ordinance that enshrines these protections. The ordinance would also safeguard township resources by codifying that we do not use township personnel, equipment, or funds to carry out federal civil immigration enforcement, which is a federal responsibility, and that we do not share township data, including license plate reader data with federal immigration authorities for civil enforcement. These are simple steps that keep our resources focused on local priorities. They preserve every form of cooperation with state and federal authorities that the law requires. And they tell the students and families who help Derry Township thrive that this is a place that supports them. Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Regan. Rob, do you want to say something? No? Okay. Thank you very much. Next.

Well, first of all, thanks for the opportunity to speak. My name is Ed Satterstedt and I reside at 1421 Harding in Hershey, Pennsylvania. And I have five points to make about the Boathouse Park. And starts off point number one, the Boathouse Park and Creek access have been closed due to ongoing water project, according to the Parks and Recreation website since the beginning of June. And updates will be provided as the project nears completion. Now, after my wife and I questioned the timeframe of this, we received a private message from AJ Murray, the Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation, stating that the Boathouse Park closure is scheduled to be completed the week of July 18. And the end of this first point is, can this reopening be confirmed? Point number two, why is this scheduling information not provided or allowed on the public parks and recreation facebook site point three when this topic was brought up on the dairy township public site dairy township parks and recreation limited and shut down the public comments on this post why is that can the ability for public comments be turned back on so it can be discussed. Point number four, why was this project started in June, which is the busiest time for the public to use this park and boat ramp? And then the last point, point number five, township families use this park. and the Creek access extensively through the summer months of June through August, is there an alternative available for these citizens during this shutdown period? Again, thanks for the opportunity to speak.

Thank you, Mr. Satterstead. Mr. Satterstead, we have our parks and rec person here. I'm sure she'd be happy to talk to you after the meeting. All right. Thank you. Anybody else? Seeing none, can move on to our first order business and that's the consideration for approval for the consent calendar. We can do that as one motion or we can do it individually. I hear a motion.

I move we adopt the consent calendar as a whole.

Thank you, Ms. Ballard. Is there a second? Second. Thank you, Mr. Corrado. All those in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? Hearing none, motion carries. Consent calendar is approved. Our first order of new business his request to conduct the 35th annual Ben and Tim Day 5K race on Saturday, August 22nd, 2016, starting at 9 a.m. Chief Warner.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. A request received from Alf Rickey to hold the 35th annual Ben and Tim Day 5k run on saturday august the 22nd starting at 9 00 a.m the event starts and ends at the hershey high school roadways involved in the race will be homestead road east caracas avenue para avenue meadow lane homestead lane and red oak lane roadways will be closed during this event for safety of the participants and all closure points will be manned the route this year is the same as past years and can easily be managed residents and others looking to access or leave places within the race route will be allowed to do so when it is safe. Most of the assigned posts will be manned by on-duty police, community service officers, and Milton Hershey School security. There may be some overtime coverage needed. The event organizer is aware of the township's reimbursement policy and has indicated their understanding and acceptance of the policy. Our traffic safety unit has reviewed this detail and they approve it.

Thanks Chief, appreciate that. Do my colleagues have any questions, concerns?

Great event.

Yes, I think that goes without saying, but let's say it anyway. It's a good event, really good event. And the applicant is even here today. Thanks for attending. I personally appreciate that when the applicant attends our meetings. And we do every year, every year. And right now we're silent about it, but we all do support this. Anyway, getting back to business. Is there a motion?

I would like to make a motion that the request to conduct the 35th annual Ben and Tim Day 5K race on this August, 2026, starting at 9 a.m. and covering all over the township be approved by the Derry Township Board of Supervisors.

Thank you, Mr. Myers. Is there a second? Second. Thank you, Mr. Corrado. All those in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? Hearing none, the motion carries. Congratulations. You got your Ben and Tim day. You're welcome. Have a pleasant evening. Okay. Next order of business. Consideration of terminating the township's agreement with Commonwealth Code Inspection Service Incorporated for third-party electrical plan review and inspection services and entering into an agreement with Barry Isitt, and Associates Incorporated to provide such services in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Uniform Construction Code, or UCC, and township ordinances. That is, let's see, Chuck.

It is. Commonwealth Code Inspection Service has provided third-party electrical plan review and inspection services for the township for several years as one of the three agencies who serve the township. Although Commonwealth Code serves many municipalities, we have had growing concerns related to the thoroughness of their electrical plan reviews and communication with the township and feel it is in the township's best interest to transition to a new provider for these services. our present agreement with commonwealth code allows termination of the agreement with 60 days written notice we recommend that any written notice allows commonwealth code to work beyond the 60 days to allow close out of any permitted work that they have begun over the past several weeks staff has evaluated alternative third-party agencies qualified to perform electrical plan review and inspection services under the UCC. Based on this evaluation, we recommend engaging Barry Isid and Associates in order to continue to offer three options to permit applicants. Barry Isid is an experienced and well-established firm that provides comprehensive code inspection and plan review services to municipalities throughout Pennsylvania. The firm has demonstrated the capacity to provide reliable, timely, and professional services that will support the township's construction code enforcement program. Electrical plan reviews and inspection services are paid by the applicants directly to the third-party agencies, so there will not be a financial impact to the township. I'm recommending that the Board of Supervisors authorize this termination of the township's agreement with Commonwealth Code in accordance with the terms of the contract with the stipulation that Commonwealth Code completes any work that they have begun. And also that the township enters into an agreement with Barry Icehead Associates to provide third party electrical plan review and inspection services to permit applicants in Derry Township.

Thank you, Mr. Emmerich. Do my colleagues have any questions or concerns? I actually do have a comment or a question. I noticed there's a 60-day termination window in there. Not casting aspersions, but can we be certain that the CCIS reports after the 60-day termination are going to be valid or accurate? I know that's kind of a hard question to answer, but.

It is a hard question to answer.

My concern lies with ethics.

Sure. We don't want to be in a position where a new inspection services picks up in the middle of a project.

Right.

I agree with that. Incredibly difficult. I don't have any doubt that Commonwealth Code will give us the same service that they have been giving us during the term.

Okay.

That answers my question. Thank you very much.

Chuck, just one thing. Go ahead. There's no issue with the overlap. It sounds like you have more than one of these consultants to perform these services. So it's okay if Commonwealth Code continues for the next 60 days while they're on notice of the termination, and you also engage Barry Iser for the same period. It's okay. There's no issue with the overlap, correct? Right. That's the intention.

So the applicants are provided three choices. The applicant makes the choice. Yep. That's all.

Okay. Thank you. Would somebody like to make a motion?

I move that we authorize the termination of the township's agreement with Commonwealth Code in accordance with the terms of the contract with the stipulation that they complete any work or projects they've already been chosen for. And we enter into an agreement with Barry Isaac and Associates for third-party electrical plan review and inspection services.

Thank you, Ms. Ballard. Is there a second? Second. Thank you, Mr. Corrado. All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Opposed? Hearing none, the motion carries. You have your new contractor. Okay. Next order of business. Acceptance of financial security for stormwater management plan for 7 Ethel Avenue, S-2026-005. Mr. Emmerich.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This plan was submitted to detail the design of stormwater management facilities for a new single family dwelling, detached garage, driveway, and sidewalk at 7 Ethel Avenue. The applicant and property owner is Evcon Properties LLC. HRG reviewed the cost estimate prepared by the applicant's engineer. and recommended that financial security in the amount of $17,024 be provided, which the applicant has done, as well as entering into the standard agreement with the township as required for stormwater management plans. I'm recommending that the Board of Supervisors accept the cash financial security and enters into the agreement to provide financial security between EFCON Properties LLC and the township.

Thank you, Mr. Emmerich. Do I hear a motion?

I'll make a motion that the Board of Supervisors accepts cash financial security in the amount of $17,024 and enters into the agreement to provide financial security between Evcon Properties LLC and the township for the stormwater management plan for 7 Ethel Avenue S-2026-005. Thank you, Mr. Carado.

Is there a second? Second. Thank you, Ms. Ballard. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Hearing none, the motion carries. And our last bit of business for the evening. More financial security stuff. Acceptance of financial security for the stormwater management plan for 965 Eby Road, S2026-004. Mr. Emmerich again.

Thank you, this plan was submitted to detail the design of stormwater management facilities for a new single family dwelling, porches and sidewalks at 965 E.B. Road. The applicants and property owners are Griffin and Emily Spinagle. HRG reviewed the cost estimate prepared by the applicant's engineer and recommended that financial security in the amount of $19,185 be provided, which it was in the form of cash, as well as they have entered into the township standard agreement to provide financial security to guarantee the completion of improvements. I'm recommending that the Board of Supervisors accepts the financial security in the amount of $19,185 and enters into the standard agreement with the Spinnacles.

Thank you, Mr. Romer. Any questions, concerns? Hearing none, would somebody like to make a motion?

I'll make a motion that the Board of Supervisors accept to cash financial security the amount of $19,185 entered into agreement to provide financial security between Griffin and Emily Spinaugle and the township for the stormwater management plan on 965 E.B. Road S-2026-004. I hear a second.

Second. Thank you, Mr. Carado. All those in favor?

Aye.

Aye. Opposed? Hearing none, the motion carries. And that ends our agenda for the evening. Moving right along here to our board and department reports. Since Mr. Bellucci's not here, Mr. Corrado, you're up to bat.

None of the committees or boards I am on had any meetings, so nothing to report.

Okay. Thank you, Mr. Corrado. Ms. Ballard.

Well, I'm just going to use the chance to give a couple shout outs. We got a very nice thank you note from residents at Walton Springs Hills and their appreciation for the recent trimming and maintenance that was done along the edge of the medians there. So very nice appreciation as well as regarding the new sidewalk curb cuts by the Wells Fargo that were put in as part of the bridge underpass project. And so just wanted to thank our staff for their hard work and excellent customer service approach.

Thank you, Ms. Ballard, Mr. Myers. No committee reports, but I do, I would like to bring attention to the farmer's markets that we do have in the township. We have two, we have that luxury, one on Thursday from 2.30 to 6.30 and another on Saturday from 9.30 to 1.30. So please help support our farmers. They've had a tough year this year. So we would appreciate that. And it's great to be out there and support local community.

Thank you, Mr. Myers, for the DHA shout out. Appreciate that. And I do not have any reports. I just returned from vacation, so I really didn't have much going on. Okay, department heads. Chief Warner.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. No report for the night.

Thank you. Allison, library. Library.

Thank you. The library will be closed on July 4th. I just wanted to remind everyone of that. And then on next Tuesday, we have Dino Tales by Bright Star Theater coming. And then on July 7th, we're celebrating America's 250th with a presentation of a revolution of her own at 2 p.m. That's going to be on July 7th. And it features the story of Deborah Sampson and her success as America's first professional female soldier in the Revolutionary War. So it should be very interesting. Yes, it would.

And I think I read that you're doing a program on immigration rights, knowing your rights.

Yes, I believe that's this Saturday. On Saturday.

Great.

Thank you.

Thanks, Allison. Appreciate it. Amy, Parks and Rec.

Thank you, Chairman. The Dairy Township Community Center wants to invite everyone to celebrate 250 years of America with us by wearing your red, white, and blue on July 3rd. We will also be having farm show milkshakes for purchase. And then on July 4th, we will be doing dollar dogs and DTCC patriotic cups for the first 250 patrons. And we will also have a specialized group exercise fitness schedule for that day as well. And then following the July 4th holiday, we are also excited to have our first drive-in movie at Shank Park for the summer. And that will be Friday, July 10th, beginning around 8 p.m. for the viewing of Zooptopia 2. And there will be concessions offered on site as well.

Thanks, Ms. Walker. All you had to do was say milkshakes. Dave Sassman, Hershey Fire Department.

I have nothing for this evening. Thank you.

Oh, and I see Mr. Watts did not want to show up tonight.

Nope.

Did he have something more important to do?

I think so.

Oh, okay. Okay, so you're up to bat. What do you got for me?

No, no report.

You had an easy evening. Moving on to HRG. I guess that's what I like to hear. Chuck? Chuck?

I will add to the addition of sidewalk or the reconstruction of sidewalk along Wells Fargo bank, that it's intended that we're going to use some of the sidewalk money that we've collected and we've capitalized on the contractor already being there. So I think we'll see a substantial savings for that needed improvement just for the boards.

I noticed there's delineators on that curb. Is that, did we intend on putting those up there or was that as a result of something happening?

That curb kind of sticks out into the, yeah, it does. Not a bad idea.

I know I'm not, I'm not criticizing. I'm just asking.

I didn't put them there.

I know, I know, I know, but you burnt, you brought it up. So. Mr. Jackson.

No report from me this evening. Thank you. Boy, that sounds good. That closes the... One more thing, Rick.

Sorry, I was short on my... That's all right. I wanted to add that it helps if you know where the farmer's markets are. I know. So the Thursday farmer's market is off of Bullfrog at the farmhouse at Englewood, and the Saturday morning one is downtown at the Chalkertown Square. Very good.

Thank you for being more specific about the locations. That helps everybody listening. Okay, that does in fact end our Board and Department head reports, which brings us to our last and final second comment session. So if somebody would like to get up and have their say, podium is yours. Seeing none, I guess that's it. So we're looking at one more motion for adjournment.

I move we adjourn. I'll second.

You'll second, all those in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? Hearing, I really want to hear somebody oppose that one of these days. Okay, hearing none, the motion carries. This meeting is adjourned. Thank you very much.