Lower Paxton board amends 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, removing an option for written submissions and changing references from 'secretary' to 'township staff' on the timer, official minutes and sign-in form.

The change, introduced by the township solicitor as a narrow amendment to Resolution 2016-40, drew public comments and debate among supervisors before the board unanimously adopted the revised policy. The resolution removes the written-comment provision that had been part of an earlier draft and incorporates a clerk/staff wording change proposed by Supervisor Lindsay.

Solicitor Mr. Sten told the board the only change from the prior draft was removal of the written-comment provision. During public comment, J. Perie of 4731 Duke Street said the board had listened to public input but criticized repeated commentators he described as "weaponiz[ing]" public comment with personal attacks and interruptions. "Their tools have included personal attack, interruption, insult, and innuendo," Perie said, arguing the board had tried to respond to the issue while protecting legitimate praise and complaints.

Supporters of the amendment argued it was necessary to protect the integrity of the comment process. Supervisor Shy said the written-comment option raised a security risk: "We did have that possibility of falling prey to some type of bot or computer-generated malware that could essentially sign residents of Lower Paxton Township's name to letters of complaint," she said, urging removal of the written submission option to avoid manipulation.

The board also amended the draft to replace references to "secretary" on administrative tools with "township staff" or "designated staff" at Supervisor Lindsay’s request; the change was proposed and adopted as a friendly amendment during the motion to adopt the resolution.

The chair called the vote after public comment and discussion and announced the motion carried. The adopted resolution will be incorporated into the township’s public-comment procedures; the solicitor indicated minor drafting changes (the staff wording) would be made in the final published document.

Next steps: the solicitor will finalize the language reflecting the amendment and the revised guidelines will be posted with other township policies. There was no immediate plan announced to revisit the written-comment question once the board took action.