(2/2020) Iron Springs Plaza project dead

The Hamiltonban Township Board of Supervisors unanimously voted January 21 to return grant and escrow money previously obtained for the now-terminated Iron Springs Plaza.

The board received a letter, dated January 20, from the developer, David Sites stating: "Unfortunately through many years of soliciting a grocery operator for my project known as Iron Springs Plaza, we have come to the conclusion that unless significant development of residential units take place, in the Fairfield/Carroll Valley area, we will not have success in building the Iron Springs Plaza."

Sites further stated, "I hereby authorize you to release all grant monies and terminate the escrow agreement."

As a result of receiving the letter, the township voted to return a $550,000 Commonwealth Financing Authority’s Multimodal Transportation Program grant, a $700,000 PennDOT grant, and Sites' circa $2,000 remaining escrow.

The shopping center, initially proposed in 2008, was to be located on a 17-acre tract located at the intersection of Iron Springs and Fairfield roads, and was to have consisted of various retail establishments, anchored by a major 35,000 square-foot grocery store, and a 7,200 square-foot superstore.

‘Child luring’ suspect arrested

Police arrested Ronald J. Kline, 58, of Waynesboro, January 12, after he allegedly approached juveniles on two occasions at the Carroll Valley borough park.

Police Chief Richard Hileman said the suspect reportedly approached minors at the borough park on November 15 and January 12 and attempted to get the children to play basketball with him. During the first incident, police stated, Kline attempted to get them into his vehicle by telling them he had a football in the vehicle.

Kline was taking into custody in Waynesboro and transported to the Adams County Booking Center where he was charged with two counts each of luring a child into a motor vehicle and corruption of minor.

Police ask anyone with information to contact Corporal Clifford Weikert at 717-642-8269.

Traffic control concerns officer

Township Police Chief Sherri Hansen expressed her concerns at the supervisors' January 6 meeting, regarding signage at the intersection of Route 16 and Steelman Marker Road, that she was "surprised we don't have more accidents there."

Hansen said, "If you're on (Route) 16 going towards Emmitsburg and you want to make a left onto Steelman Marker Road, if you have to stop for traffic there, I do not make a left there just for that specific certain purpose because I don't want to be rear-ended."

"We might want to think about doing a traffic study or something there and putting up a new left-hand turn sign there," the police chief said. Chairman Walter Barlow said, "I don't disagree with that. The problem is that... we would have to get the state to do that. I totally agree with that."

The board took no additional action on the issue.

Fairfield to host e-recycling

Fairfield Borough will be hosting three e-recycling events this year.

The events will be held on behalf of the southwest group which includes Carroll Valley Borough, Freedom Township, Hamiltonban Township, Highland Township, and Fairfield Borough. Highland hosted e-recycling in 2018, while Hamiltonban hosted an event in 2019.

The Fairfield e-recycling events are scheduled for April 18, July 18, and October 17 from 8 a.m. until noon, and are for paying customers of Parks Garbage Service who reside in the mentioned municipalities. Additional details yet to be announced.

Hamiltonban increasing meetings

Beginning in February, the Hamiltonban Township will hold two township Board of Supervisors business (voting) meetings each month on the first and third Tuesdays beginning at 7 p.m.