New Freedom Council approves solar decommissioning zoning, clears multiple contract payments; regional comprehensive plan drew extended debate

New Freedom Borough Council members on Oct. 13 took votes on several municipal contracts and ordinances and held an extended public debate over the Southern York County Regional Comprehensive Plan.

Key outcomes at the meeting included adoption of a zoning ordinance amendment to require decommissioning plans and bond or financial assurance for solar energy facilities sited in New Freedom Borough, and approval of multiple contract change orders and construction payment applications. The council voted to table consideration of the county shelter agreement and to table a proposed 2026 animal care and housing agreement with the York County SPCA pending additional information from other municipalities.

Comprehensive plan debate: The council conducted a prolonged public and member discussion of the Southern York County Regional Comprehensive Plan before taking a final vote. Residents and council members raised concerns about projected housing growth, population‑density designations, infrastructure capacity, and the plan’s influence on future zoning changes. Speakers noted the plan designates New Freedom as a primary growth area and cited housing projections for 2030–2050 that include an estimated 381 additional housing units in New Freedom in several categories. Multiple council members and residents said they found the projection methodology and the scale of projected growth unrealistic for borough land availability; others said adopting a current comprehensive plan improves eligibility for certain grants.

Votes and financial actions: The council approved a series of construction-and-maintenance items, including: - Phase 1 aeration upgrades: contract change order No. 1 for $4,081.76 (approved). - PSI Pumping Solutions: application for payment No. 6, $139,939.04 (approved); the borough is seeking reimbursement from the Commonwealth Financing Authority for a portion of eligible costs. - Bailey Avenue stormwater: contract change order No. 1 for $3,466.50 (approved); a related payment to Moraso Excavation for $102,097.75 was approved and the project has FEMA hazard-mitigation grant reimbursement pending. - Sale of surplus equipment: acceptance of high bids for a 1994 Bandit chipper ($8,353.07), a 1994 Owen diesel generator ($8,300), and a generator enclosure ($360) (approved).

Proclamations and other approvals: The council approved a 2025 Kindness Week proclamation and a one‑month continuation of a $1,000 allocation to a local library while negotiations with York County continue.

Tabling and follow-up: Council members voted to table the county shelter agreement so the borough can obtain clarifying language from York County on food service and custodial-service responsibilities and proof of insurance coverage. The proposed 2026 animal-care and housing agreement with the York County SPCA was tabled pending further information; multiple council members cited concerns about fee increases and requested additional data from other municipalities and county officials.

What the votes mean: Several approvals involve projects funded in part through state or federal reimbursement programs (Commonwealth Financing Authority grants; FEMA hazard-mitigation funds). The comprehensive plan is an advisory document; council members noted it does not in itself change local zoning, but could be used in subsequent zoning, subdivision, or land‑development actions.

Next steps: Borough staff said they will seek requested clarifications from county officials on the shelter contract language and insurance, pursue grant reimbursement documentation for construction payments, and return the SPCA agreement to the council with additional information from other municipalities and county managers.