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Board approves seven-year Agriculture Security Area update; vice chairman abstains
Summary
The Board approved a seven‑year update to the township's Agriculture Security Area at an approximate cost of $2,000 after debate; Vice Chairman Robert Line III abstained and questioned the necessity and outreach to farmers.
The Dickinson Township Board of Supervisors voted Nov. 18 to approve the seven-year update to the township’s Agriculture Security Area (ASA) program at an expense of approximately $2,000.
Vice Chairman Robert Line III said he was not in favor of the expense and criticized the outreach process for farmers, expressing concern the review could accelerate loss of farmland. Solicitor Matthew Boyer said the update is a statutory best practice intended to meet legal requirements and to “clean up the rules and educate.” Supervisor Jen DeGaetano described the update as a housekeeping measure to ensure requirements are met.
A motion to approve the seven-year ASA update was made by Supervisor DeGaetano, seconded by Chairman Kole and passed by majority; Vice Chairman Line abstained.
Why it matters: The ASA review affects land-use protections and farmer participation in the township's agricultural preservation program. Though the expense is modest, Line’s abstention points to local concern about the effect and outreach of the update.
What’s next: The ASA update will move forward; staff noted that if a farmer does not respond to outreach letters they will remain in the ASA program.
