Douglass Township board votes to seek $1 million state grant, approves park payment and EMS RFP for release

The Douglass Township Board of Supervisors on Oct. 7 voted to pursue a $1,000,000 state Local Share Account grant to fund renovations to the township administration building and approved a series of operational payments and procurement steps.

Solicitor Wendy McKenna presented and the board adopted Resolution #10072024-01 authorizing submission of an application to the Commonwealth Financing Authority requesting $1,000,000 for renovation of the existing Township Administration Building. The resolution passed unanimously.

Engineer Allison Lee recommended release of Payment #3 to LB Construction Enterprises, Inc. for the township's tennis/pickleball court renovation in the amount of $80,150.85; the board approved the payment. Ms. Lee also recommended Escrow Release #8 for Zern Tract Phase III for $40,060.64 following a site visit on Sept. 19; the board approved that release and noted $620,575.76 would remain in escrow.

The board approved an RFP for Emergency Medical Services to be released to potential providers contingent on final review by Solicitor McKenna. Chairman Joshua Stouch said the RFP will include a 30-day response window and requires interested providers to include GACAS if proposing ALS coverage. The motion to approve the RFP for release passed unanimously.

In personnel matters, Manager Andrew Duncan reported that Ashlee Frey resigned to take a position with another municipality; the board accepted the resignation (Supervisor Sara Carpenter recused from that vote). The board directed staff to prepare an advertisement for an Assistant Township Manager position that would include duties for zoning, code enforcement and human resources.

Manager Duncan also reported Zoning Hearing Board actions: Highland Outfitters, LLC received a special exception to operate retail sales (including sporting equipment and firearms sales and small-scale gunsmithing) at the Gilbertsville Shopping Center; a hearing for Koback at 60 Huntsville Drive on a proposed inground pool was continued to Oct. 29, 2024 at 5:30 p.m.

Finance staff member Cynthia O'Donnell reviewed projected 2025 General Fund income, estimating about $5.5 million driven in part by rising property transfer taxes; she noted the township's certificates of deposit are earning roughly 4.85% through 2025.

No public comment was given. The meeting adjourned at 7:19 p.m.; the Board rescheduled its Oct. 21 meeting to Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024 at 7 p.m.

Votes at a glance: - Approve minutes (Sept. 23, 2024): Bergstresser-Aye, Stouch-Aye, Carpenter-Aye (motion passed). - Approve agenda (Oct. 7, 2024): Bergstresser-Aye, Stouch-Aye, Carpenter-Aye (motion passed). - Release Payment #3 to LB Construction Enterprises, Inc. ($80,150.85): Bergstresser-Aye, Stouch-Aye, Carpenter-Aye (approved). - Zern Tract Phase III Escrow Release #8 ($40,060.64): Bergstresser-Aye, Stouch-Aye, Carpenter-Aye (approved). - Adopt Resolution #10072024-01 (apply for $1,000,000 LSA grant): Bergstresser-Aye, Stouch-Aye, Carpenter-Aye (adopted). - Reschedule Oct. 21 meeting to Oct. 22: Bergstresser-Aye, Stouch-Aye, Carpenter-Aye (approved). - Accept resignation of Ashlee Frey: Bergstresser-Aye, Stouch-Aye, Carpenter-Recused (accepted). - Approve RFP for Emergency Medical Services (contingent on solicitor review): Bergstresser-Aye, Stouch-Aye, Carpenter-Aye (approved).

The board did not take final action on staffing hires; it directed staff to prepare and advertise the Assistant Township Manager position. The next scheduled meeting is Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024 at 7 p.m.