(8/20) Liberty Township’s Board of Supervisors focused on health and safety during its August meeting.
At the recommendation of Supervisor Chair Bobby Keilhotlz, the board agreed to conduct a traffic study at the intersection of Pecher, Crum, Topper, and Steelman-Marker roads. Keihotlz said he believes the intersection needs a four-way stop sign. Currently, there is a two-way stop sign at the intersection of Pecher and Topper roads.
Township Solicitor John Lisko said the township must conduct a PennDOT-certified traffic study at the intersection before it adds a stop sign. Supervisors instructed the township’s police department to conduct the necessary study before September’s meeting. If the results match PennDOT’s requirements, supervisors will advertise an ordinance proposal for the additional stop signs.
The officers conducting the survey will be members of the Liberty Township Police Department, but that could soon change.
Supervisor Chair Walter "Mickey" Barlow said he recently signed a letter of intent with Freedom and Highland townships to explore the formation of a regional police force. Highland and Freedom currently purchase patrol hours from Liberty Township. If the plan moves forward, Barlow said he hopes other nearby municipalities join the effort. Carroll Valley currently has its own police department and provides service to Fairfield Borough. Hamiltonban Township relies solely on the Pennsylvania State Police.
Barlow also hopes a benefits plan for township employees will entice people to join the staff and stay employed.
The township currently does not offer its employees any benefits. Township Administrative Assistant Hannah Beckett said neighboring Franklin Township pays for 94 percent of its employees’ health insurance. Huntington Township, on the northern tier of Adams County, funds 100 percent of its employees’ health insurance costs, Beckett said.
Dental and health insurance would each cost the township about $300 per employee annually, Beckett said.
Barlow encouraged his fellow supervisors to consider adding benefits as they discuss the 2024 township budget.
"This is not something we have to do," Barlow said. "As we are trying to find help in the township, this helps us."
Barlow, who has been a supervisor since 2015, also serves as the township’s roadmaster. The 61-year-old Liberty native wishes to relinquish his roadmaster role later this year.
Barlow also hopes the supervisors will authorize the purchase of an automated external defibrillator for the township office. According to the American Red Cross, using an AED on a cardiac arrest patient greatly increases his or her chance of survival. An AED would cost the township $1295, Barlow said. For an additional $500, the township can mount the device onto a wall. American Rescue Plan funds can be used for the purchase, Barlow said.
"I don’t think it is that much money to save a life," he added.
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