Supervisors approve Autumn Oaks dedication, WAG dog‑park access system and several infrastructure contracts; Shade Brook vote carried with abstention

The Lower Paxton Township Board of Supervisors on June 16 approved several park, procurement and infrastructure items that the township says will move capital projects and park improvements forward.

Autumn Oaks parkland: Staff recommended and the board voted to accept the deed of dedication from McNaughton Homes for Autumn Oaks Park, a 29‑acre site that includes a pavilion, playground, two pickleball courts and walking paths. Township staff and the solicitor said minor punch‑list items (including ADA striping) remain; once recorded the deed will allow the township to open the park for public use.

Happy Trails dog park and WAG agreement: Parks staff (Rachel Scott) outlined a phased renovation of the Happy Trails dog park at Cole Park and presented a sole‑source service agreement with WAG, a Lower Paxton company, to install and operate a solar‑powered access control system and membership platform. Scott said the township has secured $123,000 toward the effort (including a $108,000 grant and $15,000 in private donations) and that the hardware and installation cost is approximately $26,840.

Under the agreement WAG will maintain the software platform and payment processing while the township retains ownership of installed hardware and park usage data. The program will be membership based; Scott said the resident fee will be $5.99 per month, an introductory nonresident rate is $7.99 (rising later to $9.99) and that once membership reaches 300 the township will receive 11.25% of proceeds to reinvest in the park. The township solicitor reviewed a written sole‑source justification and said it meets the exemption under the Second Class Township Code. The board voted to approve the WAG service agreement.

Paving and Route 39 signal contracts: The board approved award of the 2026 township paving project to the lowest responsive bidder in the amount of $720,654.96; the work covers milling, paving, ADA curb ramp upgrades and sidewalk improvements on multiple local streets. Separately, the board authorized award of the Route 39 adaptive signal improvement project to Her Signal and Lighting Company for $1,127,305. Staff said the Route 39 project previously received a Pennsylvania traffic signals technology grant of $1,206,406 and that the contractor expects work to finish no later than November 2026.

Public safety equipment and bills: Chief Esposito requested and the board approved replacement and standardization of self‑contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) across the township’s fire companies; the procurement covers 59 air packs for Paxtonia and Linglestown companies and associated harness kits to update other equipment. Board finance action included approval of three check registers: the checks on demand (approx. $12,000), Lower Paxton Sewer Authority payments of $1,123,196.34 and township payments of $2,153,691.63.

Shade Brook Phase 3: The board handled Shade Brook Phase 3 separately because one supervisor disclosed residency in the phase and abstained from that vote; the motion passed with an abstention recorded.

Votes at a glance

- Approve minutes (05/12/2026 workshop): motion made and approved by voice vote. (See minutes approval.) - Approve improvement guarantees except Shade Brook Phase 3: approved by voice vote. - Approve Shade Brook Phase 3 improvement guarantee: passed; one supervisor abstained due to residency. - Accept deed of dedication for Autumn Oaks Park: approved by voice vote. - Approve WAG service agreement for Happy Trails dog park access system: approved (sole‑source justification reviewed under Second Class Township Code). Hardware/install ≈ $26,840; initial funding secured $123,000 (including $108,000 grant). - Award 2026 paving contract: awarded to low bidder for $720,654.96; motion carried. - Award Route 39 adaptive signal improvements: awarded for $1,127,305; project has an earlier grant award of $1,206,406; motion carried. - Approve SCBA capital purchase (air packs and harness kits): approved; funding from fire capital. - Approve payment of bills: checks on demand (~$12,000), Sewer Authority $1,123,196.34, Township payments $2,153,691.63 — all approved.

The board recorded votes by voice for these motions and did not identify roll‑call tallies in the transcript beyond the one abstention on Shade Brook Phase 3. Several board members asked clarifying questions about enforcement and long‑term maintenance for the dog‑park system and about project timelines for paving and signals.

The board moved on to other agenda items and adjourned after announcements about July 4 and the township’s 250th celebrations.