(4/2020) Borough Council holds meeting in parking lot
Out of concerns over the coronavirus epidemic, the Fairfield Borough Council held its March 24 meeting in the parking lot of the borough hall.
Among the actions taken during the outdoorsy meeting, the Council voted to support any decision the county would make regarding changing the municipal tax due date. The county is considering allowing more time for residents to pay county taxes.
The Council also noted that Mayor Stanley signed a Mayoral Declaration of Disaster Emergency on March 21. According to the county Department of Community & Economic Development, adopting the declaration “will help with decision-making down the road, (and) will place you (the municipality) in line for possible funding later on.”
The Council also approved a resolution extending the Declaration of Disaster Emergency, which basically, simply extends the mayor's declaration of March 21 for an additional amount of time.
The Council also voted to cancel the April 1 meeting, although the board did not render a decision regarding the April 28 Council meeting.
Fairfield balks at financing park bridge
The Fairfield Borough Council decided at their February meeting to not donate $500 towards the construction of a bridge in a joint recreation park to allow time for other methods of fundraising to be considered.
The joint Fairfield-Hamiltonban Joint Parks and Recreation Commission is seeking to erect a small walking bridge over a spillway associated with storm water management within the park. The park, while jointly managed, is located wholly within Hamiltonban, and is called Hamiltonban Community Park.
While the little bridge might not exactly be the "Bridge over Troubled Waters" (it will span a predominantly dry spillway), it will cost an estimated $1,200, plus possible additional engineering fees. The creation of the bridge is deemed essential to expand the existing walking trail.
Fairfield, as part of their joint park agreement, has provided the joint commission with $1,000 a year for the past four years. Unless the agreement is renewed, this year's contribution will be the last.
Restricted vehicles regulations considered
The Liberty Township Board of Supervisors authorized at their March meeting a proposed ordinance restricting traffic on certain municipal roads. The proposed ordinance states, "To relieve hazardous traffic conditions, vehicles exceeding 45 feet in length are prohibited from operation."
The roads involved include: Boyle, Gladhill, Liberty Hall, McGlaughlin, Old Waynesboro, Orchard, Sanders, Steelman Marker, and Stoops roads.
Exemptions would include: Emergency vehicles, school and school buses, vehicles and combinations of governmental entities and utilities and their contractors, and farm-serving vehicles.
Some of these roads, the board noted, already have weight restrictions on them. The proposed ordinance is to be advertised for possible adoption at the board's April meeting.
Hamiltonban to install streetlights
The Hamiltonban Township Board of Supervisors voted at their March meeting to approve the installation of streetlights at various locations in the municipality.
Approved for the new lights were Fairfield Road at Carrolls Tract Road, Fairfield Road at Iron Springs Road, and Hickory Bridge Road at Carrolls Tract Road.
The board is considering installing streetlights at one or two locations in Orrtanna but have chosen to approach adjacent homeowners first to determine if they might have any objections.
Great American Cleanup event schedule
Hamiltonban Township approved participation at their February 18 meeting in the 2020 Great American Cleanup of PA.
The event, which will be held April 18 under the auspices of Supervisor Douglas Woerner, will entail volunteers picking up trash on township roads or sections of roads. The municipality will provide the necessary materials, such as vests, gloves, bags, to participants for free.
Once the township is notified when and which section or sections the volunteers wish to work, municipal personnel will place cones or traffic signs where necessary, for the protection of the volunteers. Each filled trash bag is to be left at roadside and personnel will pick them up for disposal.
The township is asking that anyone or any group that wishes to participate, to contact township Secretary Nina Garretson at 717-642-8509.
Annual 'Kite Fly' scheduled
The Hamiltonban and Fairfield Joint Parks and Recreation Commission will be sponsoring a kite- building and flying event April 25.
The Annual Kite Fly will be held at the Hamiltonban Community Park, 4020 Bullfrog Rd., from 10 until noon, and participants will be provided with an opportunity to learn how to build kites and then employ the skill needed to fly them.
There is no fee to participate, and it is recommended for attendees to bring a picnic lunch. The park also offers a walking trail with interpretive panels for visitors to learn about area history and historical events.
