Staying cool this summer might be a bit trickier for some Lancaster County residents as a labor shortage has forced at least one local swimming pool to open only on
When: Bart Township supervisors meeting, May 5.
What happened: The board voted to delay enforcement of a zoning violation citation against Jonas Stoltzfus property at 1157 Georgetown Road.
Background: In 2018 the township Zoning Hearing Board granted Stoltzfus permission to use the property for fertilizer mixing and retail sales. There were several conditions in the decision including limitations on outside storage. The successful business has grown larger than expected, and Stoltzfus was cited for violating the outdoor storage limits. The supervisors also noted complaints about tractor trailers backing into the property, trash littering the area, and forklifts being driven up and down the street.
THE ISSUE
The Manheim Township Board of Commissioners voted unanimously March 8 to approve a resolution supporting the creation of a county health department and calling on the Lancaster County commissioners to create one. That board sent its resolution to the countyâs 60 municipalities and 17 school districts seeking their elected officialsâ support for such an agency. The boards of Columbia Borough, Christiana Borough,Conoy Township, Bart Township, Quarryville Borough and Strasburg Township are among ones that have rejected the idea. Denver Borough Council is among the boards that supports the idea, as does Marietta Borough Council. And Lancaster City Council passed a resolution last Tuesday in support of the âpromptâ establishment of a county health agency.
Here s how some Lancaster County boroughs and townships have responded to the resolution.
Wants a county health department
Denver Borough
Denver Borough Council members joined other local officials calling on Lancaster County to establish a county health department, which county commissioners have been reluctant to do so far, despite a yearlong pandemic.
During their meeting on March 29, council members offered informal support to the March 8 letter and resolution initiated by Manheim Township to create a county health department. Borough Council did not take a formal vote on the resolution.
Councilperson Todd Stewart, who said heâs not always one for more government, pointed out that a county health department could have been useful with the pandemic.
When: Bart Township supervisors meeting, April 7.
What happened: A letter from Manheim Township urged municipalities to support the formation of a countywide public health department. The supervisors declined the request and instead passed a motion to oppose the idea by either joining with neighboring Christiana Borough or drafting a letter of their own to the Lancaster County commissioners.
Bridge repair: The board voted to rescind last monthâs decision to apply for a state grant to replace a failing pipe under Gibble Hill Road.
Background: The road was in disrepair to the point where the township believed it to be unsafe. The road was closed, and there was discussion of abandoning it, but the community turned out at township meetings to ask it be replaced or repaired instead. In March the board voted to apply for a grant from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to install a culvert to act as a bridge for the stream.