Lower Paxton board narrows public-comment rules, removes written-submission option

The Lower Paxton Township Board of Supervisors on June 9 adopted Resolution 2026-14, amending the township's public-comment guidelines to remove a written-comment option and clarify who manages sign-in and timers.

Solicitor Mr. Stenant told the board the only substantive change from the prior draft was "a removal of the written comment provision," and he said the rest of the document remained as presented at the previous meeting. The board then considered a proposed amendment from Supervisor Lindsay to replace the label "secretary" on the timer, official minutes and sign-in form with "township staff" or "designated staff." Supervisor Lindsay said the change would reflect actual practice; the solicitor agreed it could be revised to say "township staff." The amendment passed and the amended resolution was adopted by voice vote.

The measure followed extended public comment and debate about how the township handles comment periods and meeting decorum. Public commenter J. Perie argued that a small cadre of critics had "weaponized" public comment since last fall's election, saying their tactics included "personal attack, interruption, insult, and innuendo." Other audience members criticized how rules were applied at a previous meeting and said they left feeling upset.

The board's action removes the written-submission pathway the earlier draft had included and codifies the board's decision to keep live public comment at meetings while clarifying the staff role for administrative forms and timers. The board did not record an individual roll-call vote for the resolution; the chair called the voice vote in favor.