WEST HANOVER TOWNSHIP

PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY BOARD

7171 ALLENTOWN BOULEVARD, HARRISBURG, PA  17112

THURSDAY, JUNE 7, 2007

 

1.     CALL TO ORDER – Mr. McCahan called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM.

2.     ROLL CALL

X

WHT EMC – Bill McCahan, Chairman

 

Fire Marshal – Bruce Hetrick

 

WHT Citizen Rep. – Bob Garland, Vice-Chairman

X

WHT Fire Company VP Matt Senft

X

WHT Fire Police Capt. – Mel Gochenaur, Sec.

X

WHT Fire Company Chief – Brian Cassel

X

WHT Business Assoc. Rep. George Ditzel

X

WHT Township Manager – Mike Rimer

X

SCEMS Rep. - Barry Calhoun

 

 

 

3.    PUBLIC COMMENT

 

Mr. McCahan acknowledged a large group present to speak about the truck problem on Jonestown Rd.  He said the Township is trying to resolve the problem.

 

Suzanne Chrisemer, 7703 Jonestown Rd.  Ms. Chrisemer said she wanted to understand the obstacles to preventing trucks from making u-turns at an intersection that was too small.  She would like to see additional signage at the traffic light at Route 39.  Mr. Rimer said that Route 39 is a state road and state law does not allow the Township to ban all truck traffic.  He has asked Pilot to improve their signage.  The Exit 77 project should provide some relief to truck traffic.

 

Roxanne Stevens, 7844 Jonestown Rd.  Ms. Stevens said she has counted 13 trucks in one hour at her house.  She has called the state police who told her to post her property with “No trucks” and “No trespassing” signs.  She asked why the Township ever approved the plan for Pilot.  Mr. McCahan said PennDot required the Supervisors to approve the plan.

 

Richard Shockley, 227 Myrtle Dr.  Mr. Shockley said he had been a resident for over 30 years and complained about continued damage to his property.  He has filed claims with trucking firms with little satisfaction.

 

Eric Edwards, 7844 Jonestown Rd.  Mr. Edwards said many trucks have jackknifed across Jonestown Rd. blocking traffic.  He expressed concern about the danger to children in the area.

 

Craig Hornung, 7637 Jonestown Rd.  Mr. Hornung said he put logs at the parking lot of the old Webster Hotel and this has slowed down the truck turning and damage.  He advocated and increase in the signage.

 

Brooke Stevens, 7844 Jonestown Rd.  Ms. Stevens said as a 16 year old just learning to drive she was very scared of Jonestown Rd. and demanded someone do something.

 

Becky Kohl Miller, 7700 Jonestown Rd.  Ms. Miller said she has counted over 15 cabs coming down Fairville Ave. to the intersection with Jonestown Rd.  Mr. McCahan explained the process for putting up regulatory signs and said he would initiate the process with the Board of Supervisors.

 

Drew Williams, developer of Manada Court Villas.  Mr. Williams asked whether his financial contribution to the Exit 77 project could be redirected to the warrant study along Jonestown Rd. to increase the signage.  He also expressed interest in the cost of an additional trooper and cruiser assigned specifically to West Hanover Township.  He advocated a letter be written to the Regional Manager of Pilot, signed by Rep. Marsico, the State Police, and Township officials, to schedule a meeting to resolve the problems.

 

Suzanne Chrisemer, 7703 Jonestown Rd.  Ms. Chrisemer recapped the discussion saying that a police presence was needed to cite for illegal right turns at Route 39.  She also said everyone agreed that more signage on Jonestown Rd. was needed.

 

4.    APPROVAL OF MEETING NOTES - MINUTES

April 5, 2007.  Mr. Gochenaur moved, seconded by Mr. Ditzel, to approve the minutes of the April 5, 2007, meeting.  Motion passed with Mr. Gochenaur, Mr. Ditzel, Mr. Rimer, Mr. McCahan, and Mr. Cassel voting yes and Mr. Senft and Mr. Calhoun abstaining.

 

5.    PRESENTATIONS, STAFF/BOARD REPORTS:  None.

6.    OLD BUSINESS

Extend No U-Turns (etc) to South Hershey Road/Memo to BOS – Status Rimer.  Mr. Rimer reported the Supervisors voted to supplement the original study to extend from Route 22 south to the Township line.

Rotate Hydrant at Station #2 – Status Rimer.  Mr. McCahan reported the hydrant had been rotated.  Mr. Senft reported the bolts securing the hydrant were not properly tightened.  Mr. McCahan said he would contact PA American Water.

7.    NEW BUSINESS

Streets/Roads for incorporation in to “Snow Emergency Route” Ordinance – Rimer.  Mr. Rimer presented a map of the Township that Mr. Harman, Roadmaster, prepared with all the proposed emergency routes marked.  Mr. Calhoun asked for a one month delay presenting the map and Ordinance to the Supervisors in order to review and research the routes.  The following changes were made to the Ordinance:

1.    Section 187-46.  Change the Township officials to the Manager, Roadmaster, or EMC with consultation among the three officials.

2.    Section 187-46.  Delete the last addition but add the statement that if a higher authority (County or State) declares a snow emergency if is automatic that an emergency exists in the Township. 

Mr. Calhoun moved, seconded by Mr. Gochenaur, to table the Ordinance and map until the next meeting, July 5, 2007.  Motion passed unanimously. 

8.    ACTIONS REQUESTED BY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS:  None.

9.    OTHER BUSINESS/CORRESPONDANCE BEFORE THE PSAB

Mr. Calhoun moved, seconded by Mr. Rimer, to address the concern of the approximately 24 residents in attendance at the meeting of the truck traffic on Jonestown Rd., to reduce property damage, injury and possible death, to pass the request to the Board of Supervisors to engage Township Engineer to study the warrants on Jonestown Rd. in order to install increased warning signs and return to Interstate 81 signs along Jonestown Rd, and to set up a meeting with Representative Ron Marsico, State Police Troop H, and Township officials to discussion the issue.  Motion passed unanimously. 

10.   PLANS FOR REVIEW AND CONSIDERATION

Review Plans Submitted:  Olde Towne Hanover.  Mr. McCahan reported the Fire Marshall, Bruce Hetrick had reviewed the plans for fire hydrant placement.  There were no further comments on the plan.

11.   PUBLIC COMMENT:  None.

 

12.   ADJOURNMENT:  8:50 PM