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East Cocalico board approves zoning update, financial releases and iPads; website upgrade debate continues
Summary
Supervisors adopted a zoning text amendment (Ordinance 20-26), approved multiple financial security releases and an improvement guarantee agreement for Hill Road work, and purchased iPads for the zoning hearing board. The board debated website vendors and whether to accept advertising in the township newsletter.
The East Cocalico Board of Supervisors approved several routine development and finance items and authorized a technology purchase while continuing debate over website options and newsletter advertising.
Ordinance and land‑development actions: The board adopted Ordinance 20-26 to update zoning language related to adult uses after staff (speaker 5) summarized the edits and confirmed public notice. The board also approved a financial security release for 830 North Landing Road in the amount of $42,592 and a $450,000 financial security reduction for the Wright Eversault Hill Road project; the board then authorized an improvement guarantee agreement matching the remaining security of $337,001.59.
Technology and communications: Supervisors approved purchasing three to four iPads for members of the zoning hearing board and directed staff to set up an Apple iCloud account and device sign-out procedures. Staff proposed three website platforms (CivicPlus upgrade, GovStack, and Revise); GovStack was recommended for long-term flexibility and for offering free assistance to make PDFs accessible, but board members debated cost versus benefit. The board also debated whether to accept advertisements in the township newsletter to cut costs; residents and several supervisors objected to advertising on grounds it could create favoritism. A motion to approve a newsletter contract failed for lack of a second.
Finance and routine approvals: The board approved the township payroll for May 31 to June 13 ($101,682.89) and other routine payments and reconciliations. Staff explained a recent inter‑fund transfer was a bookkeeping maneuver intended to improve interest earnings, not a spending authorization.
What passed (votes at a glance): - Adoption of Ordinance 20-26 (zoning text amendment): motion passed (unanimous in transcript). - Financial security release — 830 North Landing Road ($42,592): approved (unanimous). - Financial security reduction — Wright Eversault Hill Road ($450,000 reduction; withholding $337,001.59): approved (unanimous). - Improvement guarantee agreement (Wright Eversault; $337,001.59): approved (unanimous). - Purchase of iPads for zoning hearing board: approved (unanimous). - Newsletter contract motion: died for lack of second.
Board members said they will continue to refine website options and asked staff to provide clearer five-year cost comparisons, per‑page accessibility conversion estimates, and implementation timelines before a final procurement decision.
