Chronicling Elizabethtown

Borough cops name Shane Deardorff 2011 Officer of the Year

2012-01-23T19:44:00.000-05:00

Police officers in the Elizabethtown Police Department selected Shane M. Deardorff as the 2011 Officer of the Year. He was honored at the Jan. 19 Borough Council meeting.

Dearforff is the first officer to have received the honor twice. He also was named the 2006 Officer of the Year.

In 2011, Officer Deardorff oversaw the police department's Field Training Officer program after the borough hired two new officers. He also completed the training of a third officer who was hired in 2010.

The FTO program is designed to mold fresh-out-of-the-academy police officers through an intense 8- to 16-week program, teaching them everything that is expected of them. This includes the most routine tasks to the most dangerous situations. Deardorff has expanded the program and developed into a model.

"The administration of the FTO program is very demanding," said police Chief Jack Mentzer. "It requires daily documentation, patience and one-on-one evaluation and feedback. Those tasks are in addition to his normal duties as a police officer. He is very conscientious and thorough in every facet of the job."

Deardorff's work in the FTO program was underscored at the Borough Council meeting when three of the four new officers attended to show their support.

In addition to his achievements in 2011, Deardorff has received numerous honors and recognition from the police department. They include letters of commendation, congratulatory letters, Distinguished Unit Citaitons and a marksmanship award. He was hired as a part-time police officer in 1998 and brought on full time in May 1999.

E-town's population drops 2.8%

2012-01-16T13:19:00.000-05:00

Did you know Elizabethtown's population dropped 2.8 percent, according to the last U.S. Census? In 1990, the Census counted 11,879 residents in the borough, but two years ago it counted 11,545. It was the first drop in the borough's population since 1960, when Elizabethtown had 6,780 residents.

I have to thank a neighbor, Mike Schwartz, with compiling these numbers and putting them into a nice readable format online. If you're interested, I also created a Google Documents spreadsheet. In both cases, you can see how Elizabethtown compares with the state, Lancaster County and the rest of the country.

I could spend time speculating and surmising what the numbers mean. But I'm not sure that would be very enlightening, meaningful or helpful. If you have any thoughts, please share them in the comments.

Borough Council reorganizes; 3 incumbents sworn in for another term

2012-01-03T21:21:00.001-05:00

Councilman Phil Clark takes the oath of office.

Mayor Chuck Mummert swears in Jeff McCloud.

Tom Shaud is sworn into his second term.

Elizabethtown Borough Council elected Councilman J. Neil Ketchum as its president for the next two years at council's reorganization meeting last night. Ketchum, a native of Elizabethtown, just started the third year of his first term in office. Former Council President Phil Clark was elected vice president.

State law requires that municipalities reorganize every two years. The reorganization is to be held the first Monday in January. Because this past Monday was recognized as the New Year's Day holiday, reorganization meetings were held Tuesday. The Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs has some good background information on the reorganization meeting.

At Elizabethtown's meeting, Clark and two of his fellow councilmen, Tom Shaud and I, were sworn into office for our second terms.

As one member of council, I can say it's been a privilege and an honor to serve the community, and I look forward to another productive and fruitful four years helping to move Elizabethtown forward.

Why is the Chestnut Street bridge still closed?

2011-12-31T15:19:00.001-05:00

This has become a familiar sight for motorists and nearby residents: The bridge on South Chestnut Street has been closed to traffic since the flooding in September.

So why hasn't it been repaired? And what is taking so long? Chalk it up to the state Department of Environmental Protection.

The borough needs a permit to do the work because the bridge crosses a stream. The borough administration took care of the design and applied to DEP. In October, Borough Council voted to approve a contractor to do the work on the bridge for $70,728 (along with the South Poplar and West Bainbridge street bridges -- total work for all three, a little more than $110,000).

Despite the borough's having declared an emergency during the flood, and despite the state's being at the highest level of disaster response during the flooding, DEP only notified the borough last week that the design for the Chestnut Street bridge is inadequate.

Nice.

When the borough's administration reported this to members of Borough Council after a meeting last week, my colleagues were incredulous. One of the reasons municipalities and states declare emergencies and disasters is to expedite repairs.

But that doesn't seem to have filtered down to the bureaucrats at DEP.

Yes, we recognize that the flooding was epic not just here in Elizabethtown. Our neighbors in Manheim, Hershey, Hummelstown, Middletown and elsewhere had significant and serious problems. But to take more than 3 months to tell us the design is inadequate is irresponsible. Our engineers could have been working on this redesign and perhaps even submitted it for approval.

This means taking even more time to go back to the drawing board and design according to DEP's comments. Let's fix the target and keep it there and keep in mind that your decisions continue to impact and inconvenience residents in our fair town.

No tax increase for 2012

2011-12-13T09:57:00.001-05:00

Earlier this month, Elizabethtown Borough Council approved a $5.37 million budget for 2012 that contains no tax increase. This will keep the millage rate at 5.0.

A windfall of unexpected revenues this fall, about $240,000 worth plus deferring $172,000 in expenses in the police department, helped to balance the budget.

The windfall came in the form of a about $130,000 in a one-time payment from the Commonwealth to assist with the borough's pension payment requirements, about $102,000 in unanticipated earned income tax revenues. Likewise, the borough was expecting an additional $9,000 in real estate tax revenues.

In a letter the borough received from state Auditor General Jack Wagner, he was explicit that the borough "should view this increased state aid award for 2011 as nothing more than an isolated or limited event that will serve to help to secure your pension plans."

For 2012, the borough was required to budget $285,832 to cover the police pension fund and $77,441 for the non-uniformed pension fund.

The budget will continue to fund services at the levels borough residents have been accustomed to. While residents will see the completion of the bridge and intersection at Market Street and West College Avenue, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is reimbursing the cost of that project.

Other major capital expenditures planned for in 2012 include the following:

$21,000 for a new phone system for borough offices and police department. The current system is 18 years old and frequently cuts out on employees. Its voice mail feature also does not answer calls at times.
$10,000 for a new HVAC unit at Borough Hall. This is part of a schedule to replace the units that have exceeded their life span; the new unit will be energy efficient. Another unit is scheduled for replacement in 2013.
$86,900 to replace police radios when Lancaster County upgrades to a modern emergency radio system.
$299,711 to pave certain streets. This is funded through the Liquid Fuels Tax revenue the borough receives from the state.
$71,000 for a new backhoe to replace one that is showing its age and has hydraulic issues and repair costs.
$42,000 to repair and rehab the bridge on West Bainbridge Street. PennDOT has identified this as needing repairs.

EASD dedicates new Bear Creek School

2011-11-21T22:54:00.001-05:00

In my official capacity as the parent of a student at the new Bear Creek School, I attended the dedication ceremony for the $18 million building held yesterday. Originally scheduled for Oct. 30, it was delayed because of that day's freak snowstorm.

The dedication was a nice event, with all the typical dignitaries speaking and thanking the appropriate individuals.

Two details stood out to me during the ceremony:

In 2009, the Pennsylvania Department of Education said the Bear Creek School construction project was the cheapest of all school construction in the Commonwealth, according to school Director Terry Seiders, who is chairman of the school board's Facilities Committee. He said the project cost $115 per square foot; in 2009, the average cost for school construction was $183 per square foot.
School Board President Jamie Rowley said Bear Creek is the first brand new school, on a new footprint, that the Elizabethtown Area School District has built in 50 years.

Those are notable details, to be sure.

In the program handed out yesterday, the district noted some other details:

The district originally estimated construction at about $23 million, but a favorable construction climate saved nearly $5 million.
The project is funded through general obligation bonds. The debt, according to the program, has no impact on the district's tax rate because the district has paid off some debt, the difference between construction estimates and actual costs as noted above and favorable interest rates.
The 153,000-square-foot school has 48 classrooms housing fourth, fifth and sixth graders. It has five science labs, nine small group instruction spaces, two art rooms, a full-sized gym and an auxiliary gym, a food court and cafeteria and an outdoor play area.
The school has 940 students, 61 teachers, two administrators and 28 support staff.

Bear Creek School certainly is a state-of-the-art facility, with technology such as wireless internet throughout and smart boards in every classroom. I certainly am pleased that my 11-year-old is in a brand new school and can take advantage of new technologies that were only a dream when I was his age.

Borough police celebrate 100 years of service to community

2011-11-20T20:01:00.001-05:00

On Nov. 17, 1911, Elizabethtown Borough Council authorized the first municipal police department for the community. Last week, the department celebrated by issuing a new patch to commemorate a century of service to the borough.

After Borough Council's meeting Thursday, Police Chief Jack Mentzer and invited guests, including former police chiefs and mayors, and other invited guests, gathered for a brief ceremony during which the chief unveiled the patch.

Mentzer said the idea for the patch originated with an officer in the department after he took over as police chief about five years ago. When it dawned on him that he might be in charge of the department during its centennial, he agreed to designing a new patch.

Mentzer worked with the local design firm Rice & Rice to develop and design the patch.

In remarks, Mentzer said, "In my 30 years with Elizabethtown Borough and the police department I have had the privilege of working with dozens of people. Many of them are in this room tonight. ... You have laid the foundation of excellence and service that continues within the department today.

Mentzer with Mayor Chuck Mummert

"But let us not forget, the 'thing' that is more important than any ne of us in this room tonight, this 'thing' was an idea that was forged 100 years ago by Borough Council. It promoted the ideals of service to our community and the noble concepts of 'service before self' and 'service with integrity.' This 'thing,' we call the Elizabethtown Police department' will continue to serve the community, long after we in the room are gone. May it always be the epitome of professionalism and an example to all through service and integrity."

Former Mayor Ken Reighard, circa 1970s

Mike Rice, left, of Rice & Rice designed the patch.

Crime Stoppers offers reward to help nab vandals

2011-11-15T21:12:00.001-05:00

Lancaster County Crime Stoppers has offered a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of someone who is spraying graffiti in Elizabethtown. Borough Police Chief Jack Mentzer issued this flyer earlier today.

Elizabethtown Police are investigating incidents of graffiti at the Elizabethtown Borough Park in the area of the basketball court, the public restroom, the park wall and the Elizabethtown Church of the Brethren sign. There have been several other incidents around the Elizabethtown area with the tag, "LOUD" used, and the name Seville spray painted.

If anyone has information regarding these incidents contact Detective John Emrick, Elizabethtown Police, at 717-367-6540, or Lancaster City/County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-322-1913. Callers may remain anonymous and do not have to give their names.

American Legion Donation helps police purchase equipment

2011-11-07T10:40:00.000-05:00

For the second time in a little over a year, the American Legion Post No. 329 in Elizabethtown has made a significant contribution to the Elizabethtown Police Department.

Last month, the post donated $5,700 for the department to purchase a thermal imaging device from FLIR (Forward Looking Infra-Red). This hand-held device allows users to see heat or temperature signatures against a contrasting background. It is the same technology used in helicopters and aircrafts for spotting people and vehicles from the air during hours of darkness.

The police department's primary use of the device will be during hours of darkness and will be extremely helpful in searching for lost people such as children or Alzheimer patients who may wonder away from their care provider. It can also be used to assist in the search for discarded property from a crime scene, such as items from a robbery or burglary. The device does NOT have the capability of seeing heat signatures through walls or other solid objects. The video below is from FLIR's website.

In August 2010, the American Legion donated $5,000 for the police department to purchase a speed trailer. The Legion's latest donation came on the heels of the news that the Elizabethtown Rotary Club had donated funds to set up a program for Elizabethtown High Schools students to anonymously text tips to police.

It's fantastic to see community organizations stepping forward and making significant contributions that enhance public safety in Elizabethtown. These are items that are on the police department's wish list -- but are not priority items when it comes to budgeting. For the American Legion and the Rotary Club to raise the funds is a testament to their concern for the borough -- and I think I can say on behalf of Borough Council as a whole, "Thank you!"

Pictured above are: Front row, from left: Police Chief Jack Mentzer; Commander Jerry Freeman, Sons of the American Legion; Commander Earl Shearer, American Legion Post 329; President Tara Heisey, American Legion Ladies Auxiliary. Back row, from left: Mayor Chuck Mummert, Director Paul Rettew, American Legion Post No. 329); President Chad Enck, American Legion Home Association; Chaplain Jessica Klepping, Ladies Auxiliary; and Second Vice President Mark Klepping, Home Association.

Flooding damage to borough infrastructure estimated at $350K

2011-10-24T22:16:00.000-04:00

Elizabethtown's infrastructure, including bridges and its wastewater treatment plant, sustained $350,000 in damage from the flooding in early September, according to estimates from the borough administration.

One bridge, on Chestnut Street behind the community park's softball field, remains closed because the sidewalk and road collapsed. Estimates for its repair are $70,728. The other bridges are open for traffic, but the South Poplar Street bridge has erosion under the roadbed, curb and sidewalk on the southeast side (damage estimates, $27,514); the West Bainbridge Street bridge is unsafe for pedestrians because of a major washout on the southwest and southeast corners (damage estimates, $11,800).

The borough has awarded a contract to do the bridge repairs to B R Kreider.

Other major damage came at the sewage treatment plant. The lower buildings –the maintenance building/garage, the blower building and digester received heavyflooding. The basement of the maintenance building was flooded and a couple of inches of water on the first floor. This impactedelectrical panels, pumps, our potable water system, lighting, and left a lot of mud to be shoveled out. Estimates for the damage at the plant are $117,562.

Other damage that borough staff reported included:

A bank washed away at East Willow and North Mount Joy streets, exposing sewer line. Estimated damage: $75,000.
A major washout at the end of Holly Street: About $2,100 in direct damage, plus $27,000 in remediation to prevent problems in the future.
Major stream bank erosion in the parking lot behind Groff's Meats. Damage estimated at $5,000.

The borough administration reported that insurance will cover about $95,000 at the sewage treatment plant. Meanwhile, borough staff have been attending and participating in meetings with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and going through the process to ensure the borough will receive 100 percent reimbursement for damages.

The administration emphasized to me that this is initial assessment of the damages and helps with planning to keep track of the damages and the work borough crews and/or contractors will do. This is not a final report, and the dollar figure could rise.

High school students can text anonymous tips to cops

2011-10-19T12:57:00.000-04:00

An anonymous tip texted via cellphone to Elizabethtown School Resource Officer Rick Farnsler earlier this school year might have saved a life.

Through a program Farnsler set up, an Elizabethtown High School student texted that another student might be suicidal. Upon receiving the text, Farnsler communicated anonymously with the first student and was able to get the name of the second student. He then contacted school officials, who set in motion crisis intervention to help the second student.

Farnsler is a borough police officer assigned to the Elizabethtown Area High School full time for several years. Since working at the school, he told Borough Council earlier this month, he has tried various ways to encourage students to provide tips. They have included a hotline and a "suggestion" box -- but he said he "never once" got a tip through either.

Knowing that teenagers text as a primary way of communciating, Farnsler researched how he could use texting to receive anonymous tips. He found a program that is entirely anonymous, with no way for him to find out who texted him because the servers are located in Canada. That, he said, is key because students don't want want to develop a reputation as a "snitch." All students have to do is text to the number 27637 and include "etown" in the body of the message, and he and several school officials receive a text.

The program cost $1,600 per year. Farnsler approached the Elizabethtown Rotary Club, which is sponsoring the program for this school year.

"It's a great partnership between the school, the police, the borough and the Rotary," he said.

"If we saved that life," Police Chief Jack Mentzer said, referring to the suicide intervention, "this program has already paid for itself a thousand times over."

Farnsler said this is the only program of its type -- completely anonymous texting -- for high school students in Lancaster County.

I echo what my fellow Councilman Tom Shaud told Farnsler: "You've done something to make the borough proud."

Left turn lanes installed at High and Market

2011-09-20T21:39:00.000-04:00

In the past several weeks, left turn lanes were installed on East and West High Street at Market Street as part of a synchronization project and other improvements to all the signaled intersections in the Elizabethtown area.

As anyone who navigated the intersection can attest, drivers had been making their own through and left turn lanes for years. This created hazardous and dangerous situations at times.

With the turn lanes, drivers now know exactly where to go. The project did require Borough Council to eliminate parking on High Street so the lanes could be painted, but it was a decision that creates a safer community.

When I drove through the intersection with the marked turn lanes the first time, I thought that it would eventually need left-turn arrows for High Street drivers. During the Elizabethtown Area Regional Authority's meeting this morning, West Donegal Township Supervisor Chairman Ralph Horne brought up that point.

However, Steve Gault, a traffic engineer for Mount Joy Township, said the synchronization of all the traffic signals complicates adding the arrows. While they could be installed, he noted that the time it would take for the arrows to cycle through would have to be taken from the cycle on Market Street. And if you adjust the timing at that intersection, all of the other intersections through town would need adjusting to accommodate the change.

"It's sort of a balancing act," Gault said, adding that the negatives of adding the arrows outweigh the positives.

Gault also noted while the synchronization project will help with traffic flow through Elizabethtown, Maytown Avenue at Market Street will continue to be a congested intersection. He said "the only way" to eliminate that is to "build more capacity or reduce (the) volume" of traffic.

It's been a tough week for all of us

2011-09-10T09:43:00.003-04:00

As I look out my window this morning, I actually see some sun and a little blue sky! It's notable after the past few days that saw the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee dump 15 inches of rain on Elizabethtown and the surrounding area.

That caused lots of problems, including flooded streets, some people's evacuating homes on Poplar Street, manholes that bubbled up with excess water and basements with a little to a lot of water. And I think these issues might just scratch the surface.

Personally, my house had water in the finished basement that required tearing out carpet and the padding (see the picture at left). I still have three fans and a dehumidifier running constantly. I talked to the previous owner of the house, who was surprised because he grew up here and raised his own family in these walls and never had water in the basement in 50 years. That includes Hurricane Agnes in June 1972 that devastated parts of Central Pennsylvania, including Harrisburg.

Clearly, the storm this week was an extraordinary event.

So when I talked to someone at the borough office yesterday afternoon, he mentioned that people called to report problems with sewer backing up into their basements. And they blamed the borough, or they blamed neighbors. As the borough said in its news release yesterday, those problems are not the borough's responsibility.

Besides, when your community gets 15 inches of rain in a few days -- in a month when the average rainfall is typically less than 1 inch -- all bets off in my opinion.

From the perspective of this borough councilman, this isn't a time to pit neighbor against neighbor and play a blame game. This should be a time for us as a community to come together and help each other.

Kudos go to the borough staff, the Elizabethtown Police Department, the Elizabethtown Fire Department and emergency management for an outstanding response. As my fellow Councilman Meade Bierly said, it makes our jobs as elected officials easier.

State of emergency remains in effect

2011-09-09T13:05:00.000-04:00

Officials in Elizabethtown Borough issued the following news release this morning:

A state ofemergency remains in effect for Elizabethtown Borough. Flood waters havereceded, but residual damages have presented hazards. These include somesidewalk areas. Residents are urged to use caution in their traveland other activities. South Chestnut Street between Park Street and EastBainbridge Street sustained flood damage and remains closed. All otherstreets are open to traffic at this time. During the peak of theflooding, the borough’s sanitary sewer collection system experiencedsignificant impact in flow by flood waters, causing sewer backup at someresidences. Residents should take care to thoroughly clean residue in allimpacted areas. The Borough is not responsible for this cleanup.Residents should check with their homeowners insurance policies to see ifassistance may be available. There are no plans for a borough-wide poweroutage at this time. Residents should call 367-1700 for emergencydumpster permits should they be required for cleanup.

Elizabethtown declares state of emergency

2011-09-07T15:26:00.000-04:00

Officials in Elizabethtown have declared a state of emergency after constant heavy rain all day today caused flooding on Market Street. Some residents on Poplar Street had to be rescued from their homes, according to Borough Council President Phil Clark.

Those residents who were rescued were taken to the Elizabethtown Fire Department and later bused to the Elizabethtown Area High School. If you need to evacuate your home, please go to the Daubert Gymanisum at the high school.

The only passable north-south street in town that is open is Mount Joy Street. Officials are advising to preserve drinking water for the time being.

Clark, who was at the fire department, called the town "a mess" at about 3:15 p.m. Some manholes throughout town were bubbling up with water because of the intense flow of stormwater, and residents had called the borough office to report sewer backing up into their basements. One official said there's nothing to do but ride out the storm.

Clark praised emergency officials and the borough administration for doing a fantastic job. During his phone call, sirens could be heard in the background as personnel were responding to calls.

Market Street at College Avenue was closed because of flooding, and the owners of Folklore Coffee and Co. posted on Facebook that they were closing early because of flooding down the hill toward Rita's Italian Ice.

Elizabethtown College sent an email to students and staff, saying College Avenue at the college was closed because Lake Placida had overflowed its banks.

I'll report more information as I receive it.

Updated, 3:35 p.m.:

25 kids are still at the Elizabethtown Child Care Center because parents can't get there. The center closed at 3 p.m.
Here are some photos posted on Folklore Coffee & Co.'s Facebook page for that end of town.

Updated, 4:32 p.m.

Photo of the basketball court at the park, posted by Robert Hemsch on Facebook.

Update 5:40 p.m.

For people in Elizabethtown Borough who need to evacuate, please go to the Elizabethtown Fire Department on Mount Joy Street starting at 6 p.m. If you need to be evacuated, call 367-5300.

West College Avenue construction continues with demo of service station

2011-08-10T09:32:00.000-04:00

Demolition of a former service station at College Avenue and Market Street began this week and should be completed by the end of the week.

The work is part of the extension of West College Avenue, which includes the construction of a bridge, that will elminate the dog leg maneuvering for motorists using Bainbridge Street to head past the Dove Chocolate factory.

On Elizabethtown's Facebook page, the borough indicated the project is continuing with the construction of a retaining wall, relocation of sanitary sewer lines, stabilization of the culvert running under the building and footing for a pier.

If all goes well, traffic could be using the bridge late this fall. Final paving is likely to occur next year.

Pa. Department of Health offers free potassium iodide pills

2011-08-09T10:42:00.000-04:00

I just learned this morning that the Pennsylvania Department of Health is offering free potassium iodide (KI) pills to people who live, work or attend schoolin a 10-mile radius of the state's nuclear power plants. That includes those of us who live in Elizabethtown thanks to our proximity to Three Mile Island.

Distribution is scheduled for one day -- from 3 to 7 p.m. this Thursday, Aug. 11. Four 65-milligram tablets will be provided to each person.

Two locations that are most accessible to E-town residents are the Londonderry Township Building, 783 S. Geyers Church Road, Middletown, and the Hummelstown Fire Hall, 249 E. Main St., Hummelstown. Other locations are listed below.

As I think we all know, TMI is the site of the worst nuclear accident in the United States on March 28, 1979.

According to a state Department of Health news release:

When taken as directed, KI helps protect the thyroid gland against harmful radioactive iodine that may be released during a radiological emergency. Because not all radiological releases involve radioactive iodine, no one should take KI tablets unless directed to do so by state health officials or the governor.

This distribution is intended for people who were unable to take advantage of past KI offerings, have recently moved near nuclear power facilities, or are unaware that free KI tablets are regularly available through county and municipal health departments and state health centers.

The tablets will be offered at 12 locations across the state on Aug. 11. Individuals can pick up KI tablets for other family members or those who are unable to pick them up on their own.

Directions on how to store the tablets and when to take them will also be provided at each location.

Anyone can take the tablets unless they are allergic to KI. They are safe for pregnant women, women who are breastfeeding, people on thyroid medicine, children and infants. Individuals who are unsure if they should take KI should ask a health care provider.

Individuals who are unable to get tablets during the Aug. 11 distribution can pick them up at any time at county and municipal health departments or state health centers.

Pennsylvania’s five nuclear power plants are closely regulated, secure and well maintained. In addition to TMI, they are Beaver Valley Power Station, Limerick Generating Station, Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station and Susquehanna Steam Electric Station.

Following are other distribution sites for KI pills :

Butler Township Community Center, 411 W. Butler Drive, Drums, PA 18222
Luzerne County Community College (Public Safety Institute), 1333 S. Prospect St., Nanticoke, PA 18634
Beaver County State Health Center, 300 S. Walnut Lane, Beaver, PA 15009
Columbia County State Health Center, 1000 S. Market St., Suite 5, Bloomsburg, PA 17815
Keystone Fire Company, 240 N. Walnut St., Boyertown, PA 19512
Solanco High School, 585 Solanco Road, Quarryville, PA 17566
Fairview Township Fire Department, 340 Lewisberry Road, New Cumberland, PA 17070
Manchester Township Municipal Building, 3200 Farmtrail Road, York, PA 17406
Peach Bottom Township Community Center, 5 Pendyrus St., Delta, PA 17314

KI tablets will also be available at the following locations and times on Aug. 11:

Montgomery County Health Department, Pottstown Health Center, 364 King St., Pottstown, PA 19464 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Chester County Health Department, Kimberton Fire Company, 762 Pike Springs Road, Phoenixville, PA 19460 between 2 and 7 p.m.

Council puts brakes on Maytown Road-South Market Street proposal

2011-07-08T07:24:00.001-04:00

At its workshop meeting last night, Elizabethtown Borough Council put the brakes on a proposal to create a series of one-way streets at and around the intersection of Maytown Road and South Market Street.

The Elizabethtown Area Regional Authority (EARA), formed to help implement a regional comprehensive plan approved by the borough and Conoy, Mount Joy and West Donegal townships, discussed the plan at its meeting last month. Traffic engineer Steve Gault presented the plan as an option that would keep traffic flowing at the intersection by using existing streets and doing limited construction.

Last night, Council President Phil Clark and I, both of whom represent the borough on the EARA board along with Councilman Dale Treese (who was absent from last night's meeting), briefed Borough Council on the plans. It was the first time that other members had heard details about it.

After listening to the details and examining a drawing of the plan, Councilman Meade Bierly said he didn't think it would be an improvement to the intersection. He said there are other projects in the community -- such as a bridge in the Conoy Crossing development that will extend Masonic Drive through to Maytown Road -- that ultimately will have an impact on traffic.

Bierly also said this proposed project would not be a good first one for EARA. He thinks -- and it's a good thought -- that EARA's first project needs to be something that garners widespread community support. The intersection changes would cause more consternation and get EARA off to a bad start.

Others councilmen said the proposal raised some safety issues, particularly because northbound traffic would be directed onto Spruce Street. A resident who lives at the corner has addressed Borough Council in the past year because drivers that turn right onto Spruce Street often take the corner too fast. If the proposed plan were implemented, some councilman feel it would not alleviate that problem.

After I blogged about the plan the other week, I heard from some residents, who weren't happy with the proposal. They said it would create an unsafe condition for drivers on Maytown Road that wanted to head into downtown because it would force them to turn right onto Market Street and cross traffic to make an immediate left onto Lemon Street.

EARA had authorized Gault to proceed with exploring grant funding for the project, but consensus among Borough Council last night was not to proceed with that.

While at first glance, I felt this plan was an innovative approach to the intersection, I join my council colleagues in wanting to put the brakes on the plan. I do think it might be worthwhile considering at some point -- but not without careful and deliberate consideration of the issues that we talked about last night and that residents have raised with me.

Verizon Wireless store to move into former Blockbuster site

2011-07-07T09:14:00.000-04:00

The Verizon Wireless store located next to Rita's Italian Ice on North Market Street is moving to the former Blockbuster Video site on South Market Street, according to a Verizon Wireless spokesman.

Responding to questions emailed to the company's corporate public relations office, Sheldon Jones said the store will open no later than July 18 and will expand from one employee to five. The store is owned by John Forsythe and is one of 235 independently owned "premium retailers" in the Philadelphia region that includes central and eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware. The company also has 90 corporate-owned locations.

"We are strategically seeking out pockets of our market that need a larger Verizon Wireless presence and looking for the prime real estate in that market," Jones said in his email. "We feel that this strategy is the right thing to do to serve our customer base and future Verizon Wireless customers."

Forsythe operates the Elizabethtown store through a partnership with The Cellular Connection, which operates over 400 Verizon Wireless stores nationwide, according to Jones.

Verizon has eyed prime real estate locations in local markets because they are visible to customers, Jones said. Recently, the York Daily Record reported on a similar move just outside York.

Former Blockbuster stores give Verizon Wireless more room to display smartphones, tablets and other mobile internet devices in an industry that is changing rapidly.

"This larger location will allow a more interactive feel in his store and allow the customers to experience the latest technology offered by Verizon Wireless," Jones said.

It's great to see a local business expanding, and it's fantastic to see reuse of a commercial space.

Left turn lanes to be added on High Street at Center Square

2011-06-30T09:14:00.000-04:00

During July, motorists in downtown Elizabethtown will see improvements in Center Square that will include the addition of left turn lanes in both directions on High Street. The work is part of a regional traffic signal synchronization project in which signals from Route 283 at Cloverleaf Road through the borough to the five-point intersection at Route 743/Mount Gretna Road/Holly Street are being improved.

At the square, parking will be eliminated to make room for left turn lanes on High Street. This will formalize and make legal the left turn lanes that drivers created on their own. These self-created lanes are clearly unsafe -- especially for drivers attempting to pass vehicles on the right. With the creation of formal lanes, drivers will have clearly defined lanes and will have safer conditions.

Because of the changes, signs as pictured above will be installed on High Street at the square to keep traffic moving. As you can imagine, someone that stops to let a passenger out or parks for a minute with four-way flashers on could prevent traffic from flowing and cause congestion.

In preparation for the work, Borough Council removed 15-mintue parking spots on East and West High Street and has added two spots each to the public parking lots (next to Highlander Cleaners and across from P&J Pizza).

School board approves redistricting plan

2011-06-28T10:39:00.000-04:00

This morning, I happened to see on Facebook that the Elizabethtown Area School District posted its redistricting plan that will move a number of elementary students into different schools. This is the result of the opening Bear Creek Intermediate School, which all fourth, fifth and sixth graders in the district will attend next year, and the closing of Fairview Elementary School.

One way to keep traffic moving

2011-06-22T21:44:00.001-04:00

At the Elizabethtown Area Regional Authority's meeting Tuesday morning, traffic engineer Steve Gault, who works for Mount Joy Township, presented a plan that would create a series of one-way streets around the Maytown Road-Market Street intersection and eliminate the traffic signal there.

And the EARA board voted unanimously to authorize Gault to apply for a grant that could fund the project.

Gault presented the proposal to EARA, which was formed last year to help implement a regional comprehensive plan that all four municipalities in the greater Elizabethtown area -- the borough and Conoy, Mount Joy and West Donegal townships -- approved last year.

In meetings this year, EARA members made traffic issues identified in the comprehensive plan a priority. And specifically, they want to focus on the area from Maytown Avenue to Kmart.

Gault has been working with EARA on traffic issues and brought his proposal to the board, saying it is one that is probably the most cost effective to complete. He compared the proposal to a roundabout that uses the existing streets.

If approved as presented, the traffic light at the Maytown Road-Market Street intersection would disappear. Instead, traffic would flow one way south on Market, with drivers entering from Maytown only able to turn right with a yield sign. If they want to head north on Market, they will make a left onto Lemon Street, a left onto Spruce Street and a left onto Cherry, all of which also would be one way, and then turn right onto Market. Northbound drivers on Market coming from the Kmart and Giant areas would have to make that same maneuver.

This idea is just a proposal right now. In fact, it is preliminary enough that Gault did not have cost estimates at the meeting this week. However, he said there is grant money available for which the project might be eligible -- and the EARA board voted to approve an application since it is due at the end of July.

For the project to move forward, Borough Council would need to approve the concept and plans, and it would need approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Dr. Dale Treese, who is chairman of the EAWA board and a member of Borough Council, said he he liked the plan.

Likewise, I think this has some potential as well. On paper, it appears that it might work by keeping traffic flowing -- especially on Market Street during times of high volume. Any other improvements to the intersection, such as a new traffic light or reconfiguring it, would involve tearing down existing buildings. Treese said estimates for that kind of work and constructing a new intersection were at least $1.5 million several years ago.

Assuming the project received approval from Borough Council, and the grant application is approved, Gault estimated that this would be two years before the project would be done.

Borough Council approves MOU to move old freight station

2011-06-21T09:23:00.001-04:00

Last week, Elizabethtown Borough Council unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding with the Federal Transit Administration, the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to move an old freight station.

The station, which was at the center of some acrimonious discussions with local historical society officials, will be moved from near the newly renovated Elizabethtown Train Station to 340 W. High St. (across from White Oak Mills), a few hundred yards away. That location was the site of a former warehouse that the borough bought and demolished because of its dilapidated condition.

As of today, the borough does not have an estimate on the cost of moving the station. We also do not know what the schedule is for moving the building.

Speaking as one member of Borough Council, I will note that the members of the local historical society initially opposed moving the freight station. Although I firmly believe they could have approached the issue with more tact and grace, I -- and other members of Borough Council -- give them credit because the MOU that council approved says the Federal Transit Administration will pay for moving the station. Had we gone forward without that involvement and decided to move it, the chances were greater that we would have used local tax dollars. So kudos to the local residents concerned about preserving history.

The issue with the freight station arose during the renovations of the Elizabethtown Amtrak station. The plans call for additional parking to be constructed where the freight station stands now. The station, apparently constructed in the late 19th century, has been empty since the mid-1970s. Before tearing it down, the borough notified the Elizabethtown Historical Society as required under a borough ordinance.

The borough does not have a planned use for the freight station -- but we are open to any proposals or ideas for someone to turn it into a business or some use appropriate for that area of town.

Defending E-town's honor takes on a life of its own

2011-06-07T07:53:00.000-04:00

Last year, I made an appearance on the Lancaster-based podcast called The Lancast to defend Elizabethtown's honor as a town that can hold its own as a business friendly community. This came after co-host Daniel Klotz made an off-the-cuff remark in a previous podcast that businesses could find their legs in Elizabethtown and then move to the big leagues in Lancaster City.

That, obviously, didn't sit well with me. So I called out Daniel on his comments.

Now, it turns out that Daniel is leaving his duties as a co-host of The Lancast, and in his final episode this week there are some references to his comments and my confrontation. In particular, check out the last few minutes of the podcast in which Matt Wheeler does a parody song and incorporates the matter into the lyrics.

Indeed, defending Elizabethtown's honor in the county seat has taken on a life of its own.

Outdoor seating coming to downtown

2011-06-03T06:52:00.001-04:00

Patrons of Folklore Coffee & Co. on the square in downtown Elizabethtown soon will be able to eat at tables outside.

Owner Ryan Bracken came to last night's Borough Council meeting with a request to place four tables with two or three chairs each under the awning of the coffee shop. He said Folklore won't offer service at the tables but that patrons will order their food and drinks inside and bring them outside.

Under the borough's zoning ordinance, outdoor seating is permitted in the Central Business District -- essentially the downtown area -- as a conditional use. It requires a hearing before Borough Council and a $500 application fee.

However, borough officials have been reviewing and working on amending sections of the zoning ordinance, including the section regulating outdoor seating. Given that the ordinance is under review, Borough Council authorized the borough to waive the application fee and enter a temporary agreement with Bracken for Folklore to have the seating through the end of this year. By then, council and borough staff hope to have the updated zoning ordinance in place.

Zanzibar, a previous coffee shop in the same location as Folklore, also had a similar agreement with the borough for outdoor seating.

Other establishments downtown are encouraged to request similar permission for outdoor seating, but borough staff will review the requests on a case-by-case basis. This is because some sidewalk areas might not have adequate area to accommodate four tables -- and pedestrians do need clearance to walk without endangering themselves by stepping off the curb and into the street.

By allowing outdoor seating, Borough Council is hopeful this is a step in the right direction to encourage more people to visit downtown Elizabethtown.

New Elizabethtown Events calendar

2011-05-31T10:50:00.000-04:00

After talking to someone after my son's baseball game yesterday afternoon, I realized that some people are searching for Chronicling Elizabethtown in search of dates and times of events in the community. So I've created an Elizabethtown Events calendar and plugged in borough-related meetings. I've embedded it below.

Obviously, the townships and the Elizabethtown Area School District all have have standing public meetings that can be incorporated -- and I'll be happy to add them. I'd be happy to add any other events, from pancake breakfasts and spaghetti dinners to car washes and more formal events. I just need to know the details so I can post them here -- please just send them my way.

Power to the people who vote

2011-05-18T09:40:00.000-04:00

Imagine a community of roughly 11,000 that has a local government consisting of six elected officials who make all the decisions about taxes that pay for police, roads, parks and more. And then imagine that three of those officials all were up for reelection, without oppostition.

Now, take this leap with me: Imagine that all three of those incumbent members of Elizabethtown Borough Council were reelected in the primary election by a total of 359 votes.

Yes, out of 11,000 people in Elizabethtown, a sheer 359 voted for half of Borough Council in yesterday's primary election. According to unofficial results posted on the Lancaster County Board of Elections' website, I received 94 votes from approximately 1,500 eligible voters in Ward 2. Tom Shaud from Ward 1 received 91 votes, and Phil Clark in Ward 3 got 174.

Earlier this spring, the Elizabethtown Advocate did a story about unopposed candidates and later editorialized about the lack of opposition. The paper made excellent, salient points about the issue. If this year's primary is any indication, the lack of interest in local government now extends to those who vote.

And indeed, it is power to the people who vote.

It's done! E-town's Amtrak station dedicated

2011-05-07T20:30:00.000-04:00

After at least 13 years of debate, discussion, design, redesign and more discussion and debate, the Elizabethtown Train Station was rededicated Wednesday, May 5.

The station received a $9.3 million facelift thanks to funding from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) and planning from borough officials since the late 1990s.

Because the station had already been designed, it was considered "shovel ready" when President Barack Obama signed ARRA, commonly known as the federal stimulus.

Wednesday's ribbon cutting brought borough officials, including all members of Elizabethtown Borough Council, a deputy secretary from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, an executive from Amtrak and the regional director for the Federal Transit Administration, along with dozens of community members.

All gave high praise for the station, which now services 95,000 trips compared with 37,000 trips in the early 2000s.

The weather on Wednesday did not cooperate for an outdoor ceremony, but the driving rain did allow for an adequate demonstration of how the awnings over the platform do protect passengers waiting for trains to arrive.

Before the event started, a renovated historic Pullman train pulled into the station, allowing those gathered to peer into the windows.

After the train pulled out, everyone moved inside the old train station, where the waiting room has been renovated to a period look. In time, train riders will be able to purchase tickets from two ticket kiosks in the station. The station will also receive an LED message board that will show how many minutes a train is from arriving, allowing riders to wait inside in cold or inclement weather until literally the last minute before a train arrives. Elizabethtown will be the first stop along the route from Philadelphia to Harrisburg that will have the message board.

The station is truly a gem for our community and will be a huge boost in the arm for economic development for Elizabethtown. Much credit goes to members of Borough Council from the last 15 years whose leadership helped make the station a reality. In addition, Borough Manager Roni Ryan oversaw the construction that started 1.5 years ago -- right after she was promoted to the job upon the retirement of long time Borough Manger Pete Whipple.

In many people's eyes, Whipple is the real leader of the project, who continued to make it a priority despite many challenges and setbacks. It was through his efforts working with PennDOT that the borough was able to secure the stimulus funding.

Continue to scroll down to see other photos from the ceremony.

Mayor Chuck Mummert checks out the Pullman train.

Borough Council President Phil Clark welcomes the crowd.

A poster showing the renovated station.

Clark with all who played a part in making the station a reality.

Toby Fauvre, PennDOT Deputy Secretary for Local and Area Transportation

Amtrak Vice President Drew Galloway

Letitia Thompson, regional administrator for the Federal Transit Administration

Merger talks progress for water companies

2011-04-21T12:45:00.000-04:00

In a special public meeting this morning, members of the Elizabethtown Area Water Authority (EAWA), Mount Joy Township Authority (MJTA) and Mount Joy Township supervisors agreed to develop a memorandum of understanding for EAWA to absorb the MJTA water company.

During the next couple of weeks, Mike Skelly, interim manager of EAWA, and Casey Kraus, township and MJTA manager, will work with their attorneys to draft the MOU.

Board members and township supervisors authorized the action to formalize all of the issues that need to be addressed as EAWA looks to bring the township water company into its fold. The consenus among all attendees at the meeting today is that the merger is a positive step for the greater Elizabethtown community, and they want to make sure that of the details and issues are considered.

Among those are what MJTA's assets are, the development of new bylaws and adding Mount Joy Township representation to the EAWA board.

The MOU should be ready for the boards to review in about two weeks.

Full disclosure: I am a member of the EAWA board.

Community honors Betty Long

2011-04-18T15:49:00.000-04:00

Over the weekend, about 75 members of the Elizabethtown community gathered at Lynden Gallery downtown for a great event that had a dual purpose: It was a fundraiser for Elizabethtown Area Communities that Care and the Elizabethtown Public Library, and it was an evening to honor Betty Long, wife of Ted Long, the retiring president of Elizabethtown College.

Full disclosure: My wife is employed at the college and recently joined the board of directors for EACTC.

In the 15 years that the Longs have lived in Elizabethtown, Betty has left an indelible mark on the community, said those who have worked with her. Gail Viscome, executive director of EACTC, District Justice Jayne Duncan and Betty collaborated to get that organization up and running. Thanks to Betty's focus on obtaining data, Duncan said, these women became more than "meddlesome do-gooders."

The result: Over the past 15 years EACTC has brought in more than $2 million in grants to help people in need -- and especially young people.

Betty has also been a friend and mentor to students at the college, providing a shoulder to cry on and no-nonsense advice about everything from classes, careers, life in general and even boys.

In remarks to the crowd, Betty said that Elizabethtown has become her hometown and that she believes it is "a gem in south central Pennsylvania."

As for the fundraiser part of the evening, credit goes to Koser Jewelers in Mount Joy for donating four jewels. Everyone who attended had one chance to win, with the opportunity to buy additional chances for $5 each. The sales of additional chances during the evening brought in at least $2,500, which will be split evenly between EACTC and the library.

Businesspeople and college president receive awards at gala

2011-03-26T13:58:00.000-04:00

Epic Photopgraphy, Dan Robrish of the Elizabethtown Advocate and Elizabethtown College President Theodore Long received awards last night at the Elizabethtown Chamber of Commerce's annual gala. The dinner was held in the Susquehanna Room at Elizabethtown College.

Epic Photography, owned by Jamie and Andrew Schoenberger, received the 2011 Chamber Appreciation Award for their dedication to the community and their volunteering time and services to a wide range of community events.

In remarks after receiving the award, Andrew Schoenberger, an Elizabethtown native, urged gala attendees to get involved in the community and volunteer. He said he is a big fan of events such as the holiday parade and the town's New Year's celebration Let E-town Ring, but he said "these events don't happen by themselves."

The chamber honored Robrish, owner and publisher of the Elizabethtown Advocate, with the 2011 Rising Star Award. Robrish quit his job with the Associated Press in Philadelphia to start the weekly newspaper from scratch at the beginning of 2009. A recent article in the journalism trade journal Editor & Publisher reported that Robrish is close to making a profit on the venture.

Elizabethtown Borough Council President Phil Clark presented Long with the Vincent O'Connor Public Service Award. The award, named after a former borough councilman with a lifelong devotion of service to others, is presented annually to an individual who has selflessly devoted tme to the public good of residents in Elizabethtown through community and civic endeavors.

Long, who is retiring from his post this summer after 15 years, "has exemplified the spirit of the late Vincent O'Connor," according to the program for the award. In addition to leading the college and being active in academia and higher education, Long has served the Elizabethtown community as a board member of the former Elizabethtown Economic Development Corp. and helping to integrate the college into the community.

Speaking briefly after receiving the award, Long said that he and his wife, Betty, have come to call Elizabethtown their home. He noted that one of the reasons that students choose to attend college here is because Elizabethtown is a special community.

(Let me offer full disclosure: My wife is employed at Elizabethtown College.)

I'd like to offer my congratulations to all of the recipients. For years, I've said that Elizabethtown is a great town with a tremendous amount potential -- and it's great to see others who don't just recognize it but are living out the potential in real ways.

Construction continues at East High Elementary School

2011-03-21T17:01:00.000-04:00

The Elizabethtown Area School District has posted a photo gallery to track the progress of construction at East High Elementary School. I drove by the other day and was surprised by the progress so far. Check out the Project-at-a-Glance page on the district's site for details about the school and construction.

Elizabethtown Fire Department 2010 video roundup

2011-03-20T21:09:00.000-04:00

The Elizabethtown Fire Department does a great job for our community. Here's a video the department posted on its website with highlights from 2010.

Borough opens Facebook page

2011-03-18T21:07:00.000-04:00

Elizabethtown Borough now has a Facebook page. If you haven't checked it out and "liked" it, I recommend that you head there now. It's another tool for the borough to use to communicate with the public -- and in my mind, there's nothing but good that can come of it. You can click on the link at the beginning of this post or type facebook.com/elizabethtownborough into your browser.

Work on $3.14M West College Avenue project to begin soon

2011-03-17T21:19:00.001-04:00

The excitement among members of Elizabethtown Borough Council was palpable tonight after a unanimous vote to approve Pennsy Supply, doing business as McMinn's Asphalt, as the low bidder for the construction of West College Avenue.

"It's a red letter day for Elizabethtown!" said Mayor Chuck Mummert.

The bid came in at $3.14 million for a project that borough officials have discussed for the past five or six years. The project, to be funded with federal highway dollars, has seen delays thanks to environmental concerns at an old service station and because the economic climate held up the start of the bidding process. But with the bid now awarded, a pre-construction meeting with Pennsy and other contractors will be held in the next week. Residents will see action this spring.

"It hardly seems possible we're ready to do work on West College Avenue," said Borough Council President Phil Clark. "Actually, we're very happy it's here."

"You'll see a lot of smiling faces in Elizabethtown," added Councilman Tom Shaud. "It's been a long wait."

The first phase of West College Avenue was completed about three years ago at about the time that an expansion of the Mars chocolate plant. At the time, the plan was to start the second phase, which includes the construction of a bridge and creating a new signaled intersection at Market Street and College Avenue, soon after the first phase.

As my fellow councilmen said tonight, much credit goes to the borough staff who shepherded the project through approval processes with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. PennDOT is administering the federal grant money.

There's not a specific time frame for completion of the project. Optimistically, if everything goes smoothly, it could be done this year. Realistically, I'm thinking the road will see traffic on it sometime next year.

Council set to approve low bidder for West College Avenue project

2011-03-16T07:26:00.000-04:00

Elizabethtown Borough officials received word this week that the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has approved the low bidder for the construction of West College Avenue at Market Street. I don't have all of the details right now, but Borough Council will vote to approve the low bid at its meeting tomorrow night.

This means that the project is just weeks away from starting. It's likely residents will see construction activity early next month.

I'll post more details as I get them.

Incumbent councilmen running unopposed for re-election

2011-03-15T19:34:00.000-04:00

Three members of Elizabethtown Borough Council are up for re-election this year, including the author of this blog, and all three are running unopposed, according to the Lancaster County Board of Elections.

Phil Clark, who is currently president of council and represents Ward 3; and Tom Shaud, who is vice president and represents Ward 1; and Jeff McCloud representing Ward 2, all filed petitions to be placed on the May 17 primary ballot.

All three were elected in 2007. At the time, then-Borough Manager Pete Whipple said there had never been such a large turnover of council members.

I can only speak for myself as to why I am running for another term. It has been a privilege to serve Elizabethtown as a member of Borough Council. I continue to believe that Elizabethtown is a great community, and I want to ensure that it is an even better place for the next generation.

Even as the country has faced a dire recession, we on Borough Council have worked hard to keep the town moving forward. Among the things I'm proudest of, we secured $9 million in funding from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act to improve the Elizabethtown Train Station -- a project that by all accounts has been great for town. The entire project should be completed this spring.

We have overseen a smooth transition in our administration from a long-time borough manager by promoting our assistant. She has done a great job assembling a new team and working with the staff to ensure that the borough's business continues without interruption.

Over the last few years, we have met with our counterparts in West Donegal and Mount Joy townships to discuss issues that impact everyone in the Elizabethtown area. In fact, Conoy Township has joined the Elizabethtown Area Regional Authority with the other municipalities so all of us can work on implementing recommendations from a regional comprehensive plan approved last year. Working together is an important step for the entire community because what happens in one area has an impact on other areas -- and it's important for us to discuss issues openly and come to consensus on the solutions.

As I complete the fourth year of my first term on Borough Council, I am excited about the possibilities for Elizabethtown. There's more work to do, and I plan to do my best to ensure that we do it responsibly, cost effectively and keep the long-term interests the borough and the region in mind.

E-town Area Water Authority moves to merge with Mount Joy Township Authority

2011-03-03T06:04:00.001-05:00

In a move that many local people have discussed for years, the Elizabethtown Area Water Authority (EAWA) board voted unanimously last night to continue merger negotiations with the Mount Joy Township Authority (MJTA). Full disclosure: I am a member of the EAWA board.

Discussions started informally last week -- but the issue gained momentum Tuesday when Mount Joy Township Manager Casey Kraus met with four members of MJTA. At last night's EAWA meeting, he said there was a "unanimous consensus" from the members to look at regionalization. And he noted that township supervisors "absolutely" agree.

John Buch, a former borough councilman for 24 years and a member of the EAWA board, said: "I think it's long overdue that we have some cooperative arrangement. We should take a step toward some form of consolidation."

Both authorities provide water to residents in the Elizabethtown region. EAWA was formed about six years ago when Elizabethtown Borough and West Donegal Township merged their water system. At the time, Mount Joy Township was part of the discussions, but some officials there didn't agree and shot down the township's participation.

Kraus said last night there's been a shift, particularly since there's been some staff and board turnover at MJTA this year. In January, its manager resigned unexpectedly, and the board's chairman resigned. That left the authority with three "field employees" and Kraus appointed as interim manager. And then one of the field employees recently took a job elsewhere.

The vote last night was only to proceed with negotiations; many details remain unresolved. Among issues that will be finalized are establishing water rates for MJTA customers that come into the EAWA fold and changing EAWA's bylaws to add new board members from the township. Currently, EAWA's board consists of three residents of Elizabethtown Borough and two from West Donegal Township. What the makeup will be when a merger is finalized will be part of the negotiations.

No specific time line has been established, although EAWA board Vice Chairman Keith Murphy said, "I'd like to see this done by the end of the year." Kraus said he thinks "that's doable."

Among the EAWA board, there was a sense of excitement about merging because the issue has been discussed and broached for years. Speaking as one board member, it certainly makes sense. In recent months, elected officials from all the local municipalities have gathered to discuss tackling some issues on a regional basis.

This development with the water authorities, while not expected even a month ago, certainly builds on the idea that township supervisors and Borough Council discussed at a joint meeting earlier this year. In my mind, it would be a setback to those discussions and for Elizabethtown and Mount Joy Township if this merger doesn't happen.

State House Majority Whip 'giddy' with GOP majority

2011-02-05T22:26:00.000-05:00

State Rep. Stan Saylor of York County, who serves as the Majority Whip in the state House of Representatives, said he is "giddy" that the GOP now has a lock on the governor's office, the Senate and the House.

His remarks came as the keynote speaker at the Lincoln Day Dinner, an annual event held by the Elizabethtown Area Republican Committee. This year's event was held Saturday, Feb. 5, in the Susquehanna Room of Elizabethtown College.

In November, the GOP reclaimed majorities in the state legislature and won the governor's office. Thanks to the win, Saylor said, the party is going "to turn Pennsylvania upside down" by reforming government.

"We have the guts, and we have the courage, to change what Pennsylvania is all about," Saylor said.

One of the specifics he mentioned was welfare reform, explaining that Republicans plan to require anyone convicted of a felony who is receiving welfare to be tested for drugs. If a test comes back positive, that person will automatically lose 25 percent of his welfare, Saylor said. A second positive test would mean the loss of 50 percent of welfare benefits.

Saylor also said the GOP wants to institute "performance budgeting," meaning that state agencies would have goals to achieve. If they they meet the goals, they might get more than "2 or 3 percent increase," Saylor said.

"There's a new day in Harrisburg," he said. "There's a new sheriff, and it's the Republican party."

The Lincoln Day Dinner was a who's who of Lancaster County Republican candidates, all of whom are seeking re-election or are running for office: incumbent Commissioners Scott Martin and Dennis Stuckey, District Attorney Craig Stedman, Acting Sheriff Mark Reese, Clerk of Courts candidate Joshua Parsons and judicial candidates Leonard G. Brown III and Merrill Spahn Jr.

Personally, I had a chance to meet and talk to Parsons, Brown and Spahn. And I met Martin in person for the first time after following him on Twitter for several months. Here's his Twitter profile, and here's a link to mine.

In addition, a number of Elizabethtown Area School Board members attended the dinner, as did Borough Council President Phil Clark and West Donegal Township Supervisor Roger Snyder.

Here's an economic development angle

2011-02-03T15:43:00.000-05:00

If you didn't know, Philadelphia-based Reinhold Residential recently sold Peach Alley Court along Poplar Street and Peach Alley to AGM Management, owned by Allen and Gary Segal, also of the Philadelphia area.

The Central Penn Business Journal reported on the transaction in this week's issue. I'd post a link, but you have to be a paid subscriber. I will, however, report on one aspect of the article:

"Elizabethtown's stability also helped persuade the pair to buy the property, Allen Segal said.

"'You got (Elizabethtown College) and good industry there. There is a stable population there. It's not real transient,' he said."

Segal goes on to lavish praise about the historic nature of Peach Alley Court and what makes it stand out as an apartment building. But I'm hung up -- in a good way -- on the comments above.

Here we have a businessman from well outside the community and Lancaster County who recognizes one of the things that makes our town so valuable: We have a stable population that's not transient.

This, in my mind, is a built-in economic development angle that local entrepreneurs need to exploit and take advantage of now. We do an awful lot of teeth gnashing about empty storefronts and a lack of business downtown -- and here's one more way we can find creative ways for economic development.

So let's get some solid business plans written and the investment capital flowing!

Incident on East High Street gives residents a scare

2011-01-25T16:01:00.000-05:00

Residents in the 500 block of East High Street near C.R.'s Friendly Market were on edge last night after the Elizabethtown Police Department called in the Lancaster County Special Emergency Response Team.

At about 8 p.m., police had received a report of a male entering an apartment with a shotgun and loading it as he approached the entrance to the apartment, according to a news release from the police department.

Officers tried to contact the resident of the apartment by phone but were unsuccessful and requested assistance from SERT.

While preparing to enter the apartment, the suspect exited the apartment and was taken into custody. The male was a friend of the apartment's resident. There was also another female in the apartment.

Police interviewed both individuals and determined that the male had taken a shotgun, which he owned, into the apartment but it was not loaded in the parking lot area.

No charges were filed and the police and SERT cleared the scene at about 11 p.m.

Elizabethtown Police were also assisted by officers from Mount Joy, Northwest Regional Police Department and Pennsylvania State Police.

Changes coming to Elizabethtown in 2011

2011-01-23T14:56:00.002-05:00

With the start of 2011, it's been a relatively quiet time for Elizabethtown Borough Council. That said, the borough has a number of projects in the works (all of them funded through grants and not your local property taxes) for the year.

The most visible ones are the Elizabethtown Train Station, left, which is on schedule to be completed this month. Some before and after pictures of the interior of the historic train station and some exterior views are below. It really is a stunning difference and a huge improvement for Elizabethtown.

Other projects that will get started this year include the extension of West College Avenue. Bids for the project have been forwarded to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for review, and last Thursday Borough Council authorized the borough manager to file and execute documents with PennDOT for the project. The goal is for the construction to begin in March for the 18-month project.

Interior of the train station before renovations.

In addition, Center Square is going to see nearly $220,000 in improvements, such as new trash and recycling receptacles, benches, stone planters, umbrellas and bike racks.

Center Square also will see some other significant changes. As part of a traffic signal improvement project, left-turn lanes on High Street will be added. To accommodate the lanes, and to meet PennDOT requirements, Borough Council voted to eliminate parking on East and West High Street beyond Peach and Cherry allies, respectively. Although motorists now create turn lanes there, it is a dangerous -- and illegal -- maneuver.

In response to comments from the owner of Highlander Cleaners, which has 10-minute parking spots in front of the business that have been eliminated, Borough Council has created two 10-minute parking spots in the municipal parking lot next to the dry cleaner and also in the municipal parking lot on East High Street.

These changes and improvements are part of a signal synchronization project with Mount Joy and West Donegal townships to install new traffic signals at all intersections in the region, from Cloverleaf Road at Route 283 all the way through the borough and up to the intersection at Route 743, Holly Street and Mount Gretna Road.

PennDOT reviews bids for West College Avenue extension

2010-12-20T07:56:00.000-05:00

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is reviewing bids for the construction of West College Avenue, and if PennDOT approves the low bid Elizabethtown Borough Council may vote and approve it as early as next month. If things go according to plan, the borough is anticipating that construction will start in March and will last for a year and a half.

While it has been an inconvenience for traffic, the delay in the project came after the borough had to do further environmental studies of underground storage tanks on the property at the old service station.

Many thanks go to Mars Inc. for its community support that has allowed traffic to skirt across its private property throughout the project. Once completed, traffic will have a straight shot past the chocolate plant, across the creek to Market Street.

Council adopts 2011 budget with a tax increase

2010-12-18T15:11:00.000-05:00

After holding the line for 2010, Elizabethtown Borough Council adopted the borough's 2011 budget Dec. 16 with a tax increase of eight-tenths of a mill, bringing the total rate to 5 mills.

That means the average property owner with an assessed value of $150,000 will see $120 increase in taxes for 2011.

The vote was 6-0 in favor of spending plan, but Councilman Tom Shaud took a long pause before casting his roll call vote to say that the increase will have a significant impact on him as a blue-collar worker. But, he said, the work of the borough must continue. Councilman Neil Ketchum said at the end of the meeting that in his year on Borough Council the budget vote was his most difficult decision.

The tax increase was necessary as the borough faced a deficit of $340,000 thanks to revenue projections for the earned income tax that are lower than in years past. The current economy and high unemployment rate contribute to lower collections in the tax.

I personally did receive correspondence from some residents who said the borough needs to maintain its current level of service while also not increasing taxes. Only two people attended Thursday's council meeting, and just one spoke out against the tax increase.

It's worth noting again that the 2011 budget does not include nearly $15 million in projects funded through a number of grants that Elizabethtown has been fortunate to receive. Throughout 2011, residents will see a number of these projects start or be completed, all with little or no impact on municipal budgets.

Chronicling Elizabethtown unveils new design

2010-12-07T18:58:00.000-05:00

It might have come as a shock when you logged on, but you can see that Chronicling Elizabethtown has a new design. Thanks to the templates from Blogger, I found something that I think cleans up the design, makes it more current. At its heart, though, it's still the same blog presenting the same information about Elizabethtown.

I have to credit the staff at Elizabethtown Borough's office for taking and background photo and providing it for me to use. The view is looking south on Market Street from the steeple of the Elizabethtown First Church of God. Frankly, it's one of the best views of town I've seen.

Official domain name: chroniclingelizabethtown.com

2010-12-06T08:31:00.000-05:00

You can now reach Chronicling Elizabethtown directly with our own domain name: www.chroniclingelizabethtown.com. This means our technical difficulties are over.

Technical difficulties

2010-12-06T06:31:00.000-05:00

Last night, you might have tried to read the post about the suspicious package and the link wasn't working. My apologies. I bought the domain name chroniclingelizabethtown.com and was trying to get that set up and experienced technical difficulties. We're back for now, but not on the new domain name yet. I'll post here when that is live and ready to go.

Suspicious package destroyed at Elizabethtown Public Library

2010-12-05T21:39:00.000-05:00

Emergency responders destroyed a suspicious package at the rear of the Elizabethtown Public Library late Saturday afternoon.

The Elizabethtown Police Department received a call about the package at about 4 p.m. I had taken my son to the library at about 4:15 to find a book and to pick up one reserved for my wife when we noticed a police car blocking access to the parking lot at the rear of the library. Yellow police tape blocked the back entrance to the building.

No one stopped us from getting in through the front door, and we headed to the second floor for my son to find a book. In less than 5 minutes, a librarian approached us and told us that we had to evacuate the building. On the sidewalk out front, the scuttlebutt was something about a suspicious package. By the time my son and I walked to the municipal parking lot in the back, the borough's fire siren was sounding to summon the Elizabethtown Fire Department, and its officer in charge was on the scene.

Police Chief Jack Mentzer later confirmed that police and library staff could not confirm that the package was not legitimate and evacuated the library and the buildings adjacent to that location. Officers then called in a bomb dog and the Pennsylvania State Police bomb squad. The dog did not detect traditional explosives from the package.

State police X-rayed the package and recommended that it be exploded in place by were found to included clothing and magazines.

I think we've all heard stories about suspicious packages that have met a similar fate, only to find the contents innocuous. But in the age when the Transportation Safety Administration will frisk your grandma when she flies to Omaha, it's clear that being cautious is a necessity.

E-town Area Water Authority moves its offices

2010-11-24T20:24:00.002-05:00

View Larger Map
Did you know the Elizabethtown Area Water Authority office has moved? EAWA built a new water treatment plant at 211 W. Hummelstown St., and its offices have moved there permanently, as of Sept. 30. All payments should be mailed or delivered in person to the new offices. West Hummelstown Street is about one block to the north of Rita's on Market Street.

The new treatment plant received its operating permit from the state Department of Environmental Protection in early November and started treating and delivering water to customers on Nov. 8. EAWA is planning an open house in January for the public to see the $5 million investment.

Borough Council approves draft 2011 budget

2010-11-23T21:23:00.000-05:00

Last week, Elizabethtown Borough Council approved a preliminary version of the borough's 2011 budget that contains a deficit of nearly $340,000. This draft is now open for public review at the borough office at 600 S. Hanover St.

In a separate vote, council set the maximum millage rate for 2011 at 5.4 mills, which is a 1.2 mills increase. State law requires that council set the millage rate now -- but it is not locked in place. Council can lower that rate, but it can't set the rate higher than 5.4 after the vote last week.

Council approved both the draft budget and the millage increase unanimously.

If you read this blog regularly, you know I've written about the budget already and the predicament that Borough Council is in when it comes to lower projected revenues.

Here's a word about the millage increase. If council keeps the millage increase at the level approved, a homeowner with an average assessment of $150,000 would see his taxes increase by $180 next year. This would generate nearly $526,000 in additional income, more than covering the deficit.

By comparison:

A 1 mill increase to 5.2 mills would mean a $150 increase to the average homeowner, generating $438,200 in additional income.
A .9 mill increase to 5.1 mills would mean a $135 increase, generating $394,398 in additional income.
A .8 mill increase to 5 mills would mean a $120 increase and $350,576 in additional income.
A .7 mill increase to 4.9 mills would mean a $105 increase and $306,754 in additional income.

It's a pretty drastic illustration and the reality of where things are when it comes to tax increases and what they generate in revenues.

Now a word, in this one councilman's opinion, about a tax increase: Borough residents did not see a tax increase last year, thanks to spending cuts. We held the line and were able to squeak by for a year, but the economy has not improved enough to make up the difference. Any additional budget cuts would mean cutting services, and personally I am not willing to cut beyond the current level of services.

So although Borough Council set the millage rate at 5.4 for 2011, we can decide to lower it Dec. 16 when we approve the final budget. I am not in favor of an increase of more than 1 mill -- and I could be convinced of a lower rate that covers the deficit.

However, we also have to take into account some soft costs (such as engineering costs for work on extending West College Avenue) for some of the projects the borough is able to do thanks to state and federal grants. It would be irresponsible for Borough Council just to cover the deficit and not plan for covering those soft costs.

Do you have other ideas or thoughts? Let's hear them!

Costs of various goods and services in Elizabethtown

2010-11-07T21:22:00.000-05:00

As Elizabethtown Borough Council considers and debates the borough's 2011 budget, here are some costs that many of us incur in Elizabethtown -- and they are things to think about and consider, especially when compared to your property taxes:

GEARS before and after school daycare (one child for 9 months): $3,120
Average annual electric bill for a customer with central air conditioning: $2,200
Price for filling up a 10-gallon gas tank once every other week: $1,144
Basic digital cable from Comcast: $720
Purchase one 20-ounce soda per day for a year: $507
Price of one cup of coffee at Turkey Hill a day for a year: $464
Elizabethtown's average real estate tax bill: $579
One Pennsylvania Lottery ticket per day for a year: $365
Sliver membership to Elizabethtown Fitness Center: $490
Basic telephone service: $360
Elizabethtown Borough sewer fee: $252
Willowood Swim Club membership for three months: $225
Elizabethtown Borough trash/recycling (one bag per week): $160

Thanks goes to the borough staff for compiling these numbers. It certainly puts things in perspective for me. If you think about it, the services the borough provides -- such as 24-7 police protection, a code enforcement program, beautiful parks, recreation programming through GEARS, clean and safe roads, snow plowing, emergency management services, street sweeping, street lights, contributions to the Elizabethtown Fire Department and the Elizabethtown Public Library -- make living in this community a value.

Borough's budget faces nearly $340,000 gap

2010-11-06T23:05:00.000-04:00

On Thursday, Elizabethtown Borough Council -- and only a small handful of the public, two of whom were reporters -- got its first look at the proposed 2011 budget. And it doesn't look pretty.

The borough faces deficit of $338,890 -- and that is on a budget that is bare bones just covering the essentials and keeping services at their current levels. To the borough staff's credit -- from the borough manager and police chief on down -- they have held the line in costs and expenditures to the point that the proposed 2011 budget expenditures are less than 2008 and 2009.

In terms of revenues, such as the earned income tax, the Lancaster County Tax Collection Bureau has advised Elizabethtown to budget less than 2010. For this current year, he borough projects that it will receive $997,000 in earned income taxes -- that is, the tax on the income from people's wages. Because of the unemployment rate and the economy, the tax collection bureau projects that Elizabethtown will receive $903,000 next year -- an 11 percent drop.

Consider that in 2008, the earned income tax brought the borough nearly $1.2 million in revenue, and the drop has been precipitous.

Consider, too, that the borough's capital reserve fund is virtually broke. That means there is no extra money set aside for a "rainy day," so to speak. So here's the philosophical rub on that: Isn't it fiscally prudent for the borough to plan ahead and set aside money just in case?

Based on the conversation that my fellow councilmen and I had at last Thursday's council meeting, Elizabethtown residents are going to see some kind of tax increase. All of us are pretty much resigned to that. The question is, how big is the increase?

The borough's millage rate for property taxes -- which generate $1.8 million in revenues -- is set at 4.2 mills right now. The average tax bill on a home assessed at $150,000 is $630.

If Borough Council were to cover just the deficit and not set aside money for the future, the rate would have to increase to 5 mills, which would generate an extra $350,576. That would increase taxes on that average $150,000 home by $130, bringing the total average tax bill to $750.

Increasing the rate beyond 5 mills, to say 5.1 or 5.2, would generate more revenue that the borough could set aside for the future -- in my mind, a move that keeps the long-term vitality of the borough in mind.

Last year, at this point in the budgeting season, the deficit was even more significant -- and Borough Council asked staff to find places to cut 5 percent from the budget. Which they did. If we ask for more cuts, it will mean cutting services. Speaking as one councilman, I am determined to maintain services at the current level.

One more thing: Let me remind you that the work that is happening in Elizabethtown now, and will happen soon, such as the train station work and the extension of West College Avenue, is all funded through grants. Those funds are dedicated to those projects and can't be used for our general operations -- and we are fortunate to have them. If Elizabethtown didn't receive them and take advantage of them, then some other community in Pennsylvania or elsewhere would just as gladly as we are.

These are the questions and issues that we are wrestling with now. This is a budget that impacts you every day, from the time you flush your toilet to providing police protection. What is your response?

Participate in democracy and vote!

2010-11-02T12:11:00.000-04:00

It's Election Day all across the United States. If you don't know where to vote, please check out a great app by Google that shows you precisely where your polling place is. All you have to do is type in your address, and it will pinpoint your address and show the route to your polling place.

As for the election, we are electing a new governor in Pennsylvania this year. Gov. Ed Rendell's term expires at the end of the year. Republican Tom Corbett and Democrat Don Onorato are vying for the office.

In another statewide race, longtime Sen. Arlen Specter lost his reelection bid in the Democratic primary to U.S. Congressman Joe Sestak. Sestak and the Republican, former Congressman Pat Toomey, are battling for the seat.

On the local level, U.S. Congressman Joe Pitts, the Republican incumbent, is facing a challenge for the third time from Democrat Lois Herr, an Elizabethtown resident.

Finally, state Rep. Dave Hickernell is running unopposed to retain his seat in the state House of Representatives.

Regardless of your political persuasion, I urge you to get out and vote. This is what makes the United States the country that it is, and these are the kinds of races that will impact the national agenda. By simply voting, you have a say in what happens with our country -- and nothing is more fundamental.

$15M in grants fund various projects in E-town and surrounding area

2010-10-31T18:41:00.001-04:00

Now that the municipal budgeting season has arrived, all eyes for Borough Council members and the people they represent will be on the bottom line of the budget. And most likely, everyone will want to know if there will be a tax increase or not. At the moment, it's way too early to tell since councilmen just received draft copies of the budget this weekend to review.

It is an appropriate time, though, to discuss some of the great projects that are happening in and around Elizabethtown -- all funded through federal and state grants. In all, it's about $15 million for some projects that borough tax dollars are not financing. All of these will be quality improvements to the community's infrastructure.

Elizabethtown Train Station, with overflow parking facilities -- $9.3 million
This project, which we anticipate will be completed by June 2011, is funded by the federal stimulus, also known as the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act.

West College Avenue Phase II -- $3.7 million
Money for this project, which will include the construction of a bridge over the Conoy Creek, is coming from the Federal Highway Administration. It has been advertised for bids, which will be opened in November. If all goes as planned, it will be done by October 2012.

Center Square Renovation Project -- $350,000
Plans to upgrade and renovate Center Square have been on the books for some time, and the funding is from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's Hometown Streets program.

Traffic signal synchronization -- $760,000
As I wrote about previously, all of the traffic signals in the Elizabethtown area are slated for upgrades and synchronization. This regional project -- the borough, Mount Joy Township and West Donegal Township all are working together -- is funded by state and county grants.

Downtown Pathways projects -- $850,000
Various phases of this have been awarded $250,000 by the state Department of Community and Economic Development, $100,000 in Urban Enhancement funds from Lancaster County and $600,000 in Redevelopment and Capital Assistance Program.

College Avenue/Market Street intersection improvements -- $151,000
Lancaster County's Urban Enhancement funds are also financing this project, which will be done after the construction of the bridge and West College Avenue.

Sewer rates increase

2010-10-28T07:46:00.000-04:00

Elizabethtown Borough Council raised sewer rates by 16 percent earlier this month. The increase means the price per quarter for residents will rise from $63 to $73.

Council took action after a presentation earlier this fall that showed expenses outpacing revenues at the borough's sewage treatment plant.

The borough last raised sewer rates in 2004, when they increased from $48 to $63 per quarter.

Borough Council wants your thoughts in this tough budget year

2010-10-17T19:55:00.001-04:00

As Borough Council begins the budgeting season for 2011, we are facing an extreme situation the likes that many of us have never seen. In fact, my fellow Councilman Meade Bierly said earlier this month that he had never seen in his 40 years on Borough Council a budget as tough as last the one we approved for 2010.

It looks as though this year we might face an even tougher year.

Revenue predictions for next year from the Lancaster County Tax Collection Bureau are way down -- and this year the bureau advised municipalities countywide not to expect much from the collection of the earned income tax.

Last year, Elizabethtown's borough staff did a great job working on a bare-bones budget that Borough Council asked them to cut even further. In the end, we approved the budget without a tax increase.

We have just started to develop the 2011 budget, and we would like residents' input on priorities for services Elizabethtown provides -- especially in these challenging economic times.

As we've said on the borough's website, "costs (fuel, insurance, labor, electricity to name a few) continue to rise as revenues fall. Under these circumstances, it becomes more and more difficult to maintain the same level of service to the community at the current tax rate."

We would like your thoughts on the following questions:

Do you wish services that are provided for the community such as law enforcement, fire, street paving, parks, and code enforcement to be maintained at current levels in 2011?
If you wish all services to remain at current levels of service, do you feel that Borough Council should increase taxes to cover the costs of these services?
If not, which of the many services provided to the community should be reduced in scope?
What services do you feel are essential and should not be reduced or cut under any circumstance?
Should fees for services such as pavilion rentals, trash tag sales, code enforcement and dog recovery be increased beyond their associated costs to provide additional revenue?

I know that all of us on Borough Council are appreciative of any feedback we get from the public on these issues during the budgeting season. If you like, you can post your comments here at Chronicling Elizabethtown, and I will pass them on the the rest of Borough Council and the staff to ensure that your voice is heard. Or, you can send an e-mail with your comments directly to the borough at boro@etownonline.com. To ensure that we can consider comments in time for the budget, please send all responses, whether it's here at the blog or directly to the borough, by Nov. 24.

Borough offices open

2010-09-30T10:20:00.002-04:00

Elizabethtown Borough's offices are open this morning because the emergency generator could not be installed thanks to the weather. Please watch this space for an update when the installation is rescheduled.

Borough office to close Thursday morning, Sept. 30

2010-09-28T10:44:00.000-04:00

Elizabethtown Borough's offices will be closed until about 12 p.m. Thursday because crews will be installing a new emergency generator. All power to Borough Hall will be shut off during the installation, meaning that employees won't be able to use phones or computers, not to mention possible safety issues of the building not having lighting for several hours.

Borough Council authorized the purchase of the generator in the 2010 budget because Borough Hall does not have any backup power source. In the event of an extended power outage in Elizabethtown, police officers would not be able to use equipment at the police station, nearly all of which is electronic and/or computerized. Borough staff also would not have been able to conduct business.

Elizabethtown corridor to get upgraded traffic lights

2010-09-22T21:52:00.000-04:00

Ask just about anyone in the Elizabethtown area, and traffic congestion will be among the top issues of concern. A Saturday morning for people who are trying to get to the south end of town, and Giant, Kmart, Weis and other retail shops, via Market Street means stop and go and traffic backed up sometimes as far as Center Square.

A regional effort among Elizabethtown Borough, Mount Joy Township and West Donegal Township is working on changing and improving the traffic flow. The municipalities have received nearly $760,000 to upgrade and synchronize traffic signals at all intersections and make other improvements.

The traffic signals will all work on one computerized system and can be adjusted from a centralized location to improve traffic flow. All the lights also will be LED, meaning they will use far less electricity.

The intersections include all the traffic lights, from Maytown Road at Market Street through town to the intersection at Route 743/Holly Street/Mount Gretna Road. Lights and intersections on Cloverleaf Road from Route 283 to Route 230 also will see improvements.

Local officials have been working with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, which must sign off before the work can be sent out for bids, hopefully in November. If all goes well, work could begin this winter.

New $5M water treatment plant nears opening

2010-09-02T14:06:00.000-04:00

Members of the Elizabethtown Area Water Authority board toured the authority's new water treatment plant after the board's workshop meeting Wednesday night. The $5 million plant, located off Hummeltown Street, is nearly completed and will begin producing water for Elizabethtown and West Donegal Township residents this fall.

Full disclosure: I am a member of the EAWA board, appointed as a Borough Council representative late last year when Ken Reighard resigned.

The facility includes new administrative offices for EAWA, which currently is renting space at the West Donegal Township municipal building. It also includes a meeting room for the EAWA board's public meetings, which have been held in the township supervisors' meeting room.

Most important, the new building features a state-of-the-art filtration system that treats and filters the water before sending it to customers. The system includes dozens of filters that are about 10 feet high and 6 to 8 inches around. In each are tens of thousands of fibers that stop and filter contamination, including bacteria and viruses.

The plant is going through some final testing and evaluation before it will produce water for customers. By the end of September, EAWA's administrative offices will move to the new plant. The offices will be closed Sept. 27 to 30, reopening Oct. 1 at the new plant.

Wayne DeVan, EAWA's engineer, explains the filtration system to Dr. Dale Treese, center, EAWA's chairman, and Keith Murphy, vice chairman. Behind Treese is West Donegal Township Manager Nick Viscone. Below, DeVan discusses more details with Treese.

E-town American Legion donation helps police department

2010-08-22T10:46:00.001-04:00

Front row: Mayor Chuck Mummert, Chief Jack Mentzer, American Legion Post 329 Commander – Ken Stark, Tara Heisey, Danielle Clough

Back row: Tony Frey, Gerald Freeman, Chad Enck, Andy Shank, Barry Cover

The Elizabethtown American Legion Post No. 329 donated nearly $5,000 to the Elizabethtown Police Department to buy a "speed trailer." The trailer contains radar and a sign that posts a car's speed as it drives past the trailer.

Police Chief Jack Mentzer said officers won't use the trailer for enforcement but rather to inform and educate drivers "about how easy it is to go above the speed limit and not notice it."

"It's a fabulous tool to have," he said.

Ken Stark, commander of Post No. 329, said once someone brought up the idea of purchasing the trailer, everyone at the Legion contributed.

"We all worked together to make it work," he said.

I join Mentzer in thanking the American Legion for its contribution. Municipal budgets are traditionally lean, and for a small police department such as Elizabethtown's a speed trailer traditionally falls onto a wish list. Mentzer said it's something the department has wanted for years but wasn't a priority. Now the Legion's support is helping to make driving in Elizabethtown a little safer.

Borough library to close next week thanks to state budget cuts

2010-08-16T06:46:00.000-04:00

The Elizabethtown Public Library will close its doors for one week, from Aug. 23 to 30, because of severe cuts in state funding, according to a report in the Aug. 12 edition of the Elizabethtown Advocate (that's the best link -- the paper's not online yet).

The newspaper reported that Pennsylvania state government will cut funding to libraries statewide by 9.1 percent. Last year, the state cut funding by 27 percent. So we're looking at libraries taking a hit of one-third of their funding, basically because the economy is in the most severe recession in my lifetime.

On the one hand, it's understandable. Cuts in the state budget have to come from somewhere, and no program is immune -- especially since the Commonwealth will receive $250 million less in federal money than expected.

The problem with not just cutting -- but slashing to the bone -- library funding is well documented. In testimony Aug. 11 before the state House's Majority Policy Committee, Glenn R. Miller, the executive director of the Pennsylvania Library Association testified:

"... during this horrible recession, more and more Pennsylvanians rely on free services at their local public library. Families who cannot afford to buy books or DVDs turn to the library for summer reading and viewing. Unemployed workers who lost Internet access at home—or never had it at all—turn to the library to find and apply for jobs. Seniors who want to learn the basics of computers and emailing their grandkids turn to the library for instruction and access."

You see, this is personal for me. In 2003, I lost my job and was unemployed for six months. Because I didn't have an adequate Internet connection, I became a regular at the Elizabethtown Public Library precisely because of the free high-speed connection it offered. I used the computers there to search for jobs, e-mail my contacts, send resumes and fill out online applications. I know what it's like to rely on the library, and I am grateful that the library was there to provide a resource I didn't have at the time.

Now, seven years later, with unemployment in Lancaster County at about 8 percent, many people need the services a community library provides more than ever.

From a public financing perspective, it is the push and pull of priorities. In his testimony, Miller also noted that 60 percent of funding for libraries across Pennsylvania comes from local sources (municipalities, counties and school districts). The state provides 25 percent, with the balance coming from other sources such as grants and fundraising.

In 1999, he said, the Legislature put in place budgetary incentives for local governments to fund libraries, but those incentives have been stripped away. I agree with his assessment that if those incentives are put in place, adequately funded and made a priority, it would go a long way in alleviating the library funding crisis.

It might even keep our own Elizabethtown Public Library, which has become an anchor for our downtown, from closing for a week.

Nonprofit group to trap, spay/neuter and release feral cats

2010-08-12T11:03:00.000-04:00

A nonprofit organization called The Merrick Fund is planning to trap 35 feral cats in an unidentified neighborhood in Elizabethtown after a resident contacted the group recently. Amy Wimmersberger, a representative from the group, briefed Borough Council on the efforts at council's meeting last week.

She said her organization traps feral cats systematically in one area of a town over one week, has them spayed or neutered and then releases them back into the area from which they were trapped. This approach is different from other trap/neuter/release programs, she said, because the organization is the one doing the trapping and not lending traps to residents.

At no cost to the borough, volunteers will spend a week trapping cats in one area and transport them to a veterinarian to be spayed/neutered. The cats will be kept for about three days so they can recover and then will be released to the same area from which they were trapped. If there are other colonies of feral cats, the organization will move on to another area and carry out the same procedure.

Wimmersberger said she and volunteers have been working on a similar program in Steelton this year and have trapped, treated and released 190 cats. She called the program a real success.

Borough Council members all have had constituents contact them about feral cats at one time or another. In fact, when I posted something about the matter on Facebook, a West High Street resident posted a photo he took of kittens from feral cats, and a somewhat heated discussion ensued. Here's a link -- I'm not sure what the privacy settings are, so you might not be able to see it.

Given the success of the program in Steelton, and that there is no cost to Elizabethtown, this seems like a great approach to a problem that touches many borough residents.

Stop talking about Elizabethtown's potential -- let's realize it

2010-07-13T10:04:00.001-04:00

Mike Schwartz, editor of the online Elizabethtown Journal, recently forwarded an e-mail from a resident who had questions about businesses in downtown Elizabethtown. Mike asked me if I would respond, and he posted the comments on the Journal's site along with his own thoughts and commentary.

At about the same time, David Moulton and Daniel Klotz, who host and produce the podcast The Lancast, interviewed Ryan and Dawn Bracken, the proprietors of Folklore Coffee & Co. about opening, running and maintaining a business in downtown Elizabethtown. In listening to the interview, I was impressed with their commitment to Elizabethtown and to the downtown.

The attention on the borough's business district is great, and I think that Mike Schwartz makes an excellent point in his comments that Elizabethtown needs to find a niche. Further, for the downtown to succeed, it must exploit that niche. Let me offer comments on his four suggestions:

(1) Convene a committee of development experts and interested citizens to determine: (a) what the public goals should be, (b) assess the viability of different development approaches, and (c) construct a preferred development plan. This probably can be accomplished at no cost to the borough. It may be accomplished employing a partnership with a local college or through volunteers.

RESPONSE: The borough has a plan for the entire area from Market Street to the train station and Sycamore Square, and it's being implemented (see the train station, see the soon-to-be walking paths).

(2) Relying on infrastructure development and market forces has a very low probability of success. Pennsylvania is awash with downtowns that have nice sidewalks, planted trees, and some parking….but many boarded windows. In these times an integrated approach that uses a programming method is necessary.

RESPONSE: Absolutely! Placing trash cans, for instance, strategically throughout the downtown will make it look nice as people drive through town, but it won't make them stop.

(3) A business is not a business. The public’s interest in a “community downtown” is not one which is vested in attracting financial planners, architects, and other non-retail businesses. A public downtown is for people as much as it is for shopping.

RESPONSE: This is the reason why the borough is moving forward with the walking paths. As I mentioned in my comments to the e-mail Mike sent to me, the paths could make E-town's downtown a destination. As Borough Manager Roni Ryan noted, how many people head out to the Conewago Trail to walk two miles out and two miles back -- and there's nothing out there?
(4) The plan cannot be too incremental. Accomplishing the threshold economy of agglomeration is necessary for the success of any plan. A little bit is not enough.

RESPONSE: And here's the rub: The borough government can't take it on all by itself. It will require business owners working together with the chamber, the borough and each other in a coordinated effort. It will require the borough to use its influence to make things happen within the constraints of budgets and taxes.

If we all work -- really put some time, effort and money in -- toward a common goal, we can stop talking about Elizabethtown's potential and finally realize it.

Police officers receive Distinguished Unit Citation

2010-06-21T18:32:00.000-04:00

Seven Elizabethtown police officers received a Distinguished Unit Citation for their work during a standoff in May in which a man barricaded himself in his Park Street home for four hours. Matthew Shull faces numerous charges in connection with the alleged incident.

Those receiving the honor were Lt. Joseph Ditzler, Corporal Gordon Berlin, Detective Clair Martin, Officer Timothy Wheal, Officer Michael Lyons, Officer Matthew Shuey and Officer Luann Pearson.

In a brief presentation, Mayor Chuck Mummert called the units efforts "the epitome of teamwork." He said all of them worked together to secure the area in the 300 block of Park Street and evacuate nearby residents after Officer Lysons witnessed Shull allegedly fire a 9mm handgun inside the home.

Officers called for assistance from the Lancaster County Special Emergency Response Team. Police Chief Jack Mentzer said the chief of the SERT team was thoroughly impressed with the Elizabethtown officers' efforts to gather intelligence throughout the incident. The officers were able to position themselves in ideal locations to view the scene and provide the SERT team with details to make their job easier. Detective Martin, who is a certified hostage negotiator, tapped those skills during the event.

"The officers did an outstanding job," Mentzer said.

He also noted that incidents such as this fortunately don't occur often in Elizabethtown, and "we try our darndest to make sure they don't."

Braves win Elizabethtown Boys Club Minor League championship

2010-06-18T23:02:00.001-04:00

The Braves won the Elizabethtown Boys Club Minor League championship 4-3 in a come-from-behind win tonight at Wenger Field. They were down 3-1 in the bottom of the third inning with two outs when several players came up with clutch hits to bring in three runs and pull ahead.

Full disclosure: My son played for the Braves. And admittedly, I probably wouldn't be writing about this if he would not have been in the championship because I wouldn't have a vested interest. That said, the title of my blog is Chronicling Elizabethtown, and that's what I'm doing.

The season was a great one for the Braves. They only lost one game and tied one. But beyond records, all of us parents in the stands saw marked improvement with every player. My son was missing balls on the tee at the beginning of the season and in the last games of the regular season was hitting off the pitcher -- and even hit a double and a single in one game with multiple RBI. Some of the players who came up with clutch hits tonight were younger players and not at the top of the batting order.

And that's what it's all about -- watching youngsters improve their skills and learn sportsmanship. I love to see each of them play so earnestly as they learn the fundamentals. And it's great to see pitchers walk to first base to shake the hand of a batter who was hit by a pitch.

Credit goes to a great coaching staff led by Tim Gartley, whose calm demeanor and patience with the kids paid off. All the coaches took time to work with the kids and spend time with them one on one to practice if necessary.

I do want to make one comment: During the ceremony where players were presented with their medals, parents of Braves players, coaches and the players themselves cheered for the losing team as the coach hung medals around each player's neck. As one of the Braves parents said, "We wooed for all of them." And they did.

Given this was the championship, and given that these are 7- to 9-year-old kids who need to learn sportsmanship, it meant as much to have my son learning from this example as it was to have a coach spend extra time with him to improve his fundamentals.

Most of all, I congratulate the players for their hard work and dedication to learning America's pastime and continuing it for another generation.

Discussion starts about parking at the train station

2010-06-17T21:44:00.000-04:00

A number of residents showed up at tonight's Borough Council meeting to discuss parking at the Elizabethtown Train Station, especially since the parking lot is torn apart at the moment so it can be paved as part of the $9 million in renovations.

Specifically, they wanted to address rumors that Borough Council was going to vote tonight to assess a fee for parking.

For the record, the topic was not on the agenda. We have not decided to to assess a fee or not, although we have had informal discussions and are investigating the pros and cons of parking fees or no parking fees.

Tonight, six or seven people -- all of whom ride the train from Elizabethtown and mostly work in Harrisburg, from what I gathered -- addressed Borough Council. Some were borough residents, and one each from Mount Joy Township and West Donegal Township.

The consensus from the comments was that "anything beyond a nominal charge would be too much," in the words of borough resident Ben Donahower.

To everyone's credit, though, they want to be a part of the conversation and come up with a solution. That is great because it is not often that Borough Council has residents request to be part of the solution from the start. So many times, residents come to complain -- and it's refreshing to know that there's a group that wants to participate.

With that in mind, let me lay out the thoughts that came up this evening and that Borough Council has discussed. Then, let's start the conversation here in the comments. Before I dive into this, let me remind everyone that I moderate the comments because I get pornographic spam. I have pledged to post comments that are critical of me, the borough and Borough Council.

That said, I know this can potentially be an emotional issue for some, so I ask that we all treat each other with respect. This is my blog, and I reserve the right to reject and/or edit any comments that are obscene, vulgar, offensive or personal attacks.

Here, then, are issues about parking fees at the Elizabethtown Train Station:

Tenants from the apartment building across the street use the train station parking lot -- despite having parking behind their building. Scott Little, a train rider from Mount Joy Township, referenced this in his comments, and it's something Borough Council has discussed. By requiring payment for parking, it would keep those residents from using the lot as their personal space.
Yes, taxpayers are footing the bill for the train station via the federal stimulus funding -- but that's only for the construction. What happens in five or 10 years when an elevator breaks down, the pavement cracks, landscaping needs to be replanted or replaced? Shouldn't the borough have a source of funding, via parking fees, to help alleviate the maintenance costs?
Donahower mentioned "anything beyond a nominal charge would be too much." What is a nominal charge? He said it costs $120 to ride the train to Harrisburg each month and $130 to park in downtown Harrisburg (wow! I was paying $110 10 years ago). So if we charged more than the $10 difference, economics might cause people to rethink the train ride. But what about the costs of gas and wear and tear on one's car? And of course there are things you can't tie to money: the stress of driving in Harrisburg rush-hour traffic, the ability to nap, read a book or the newspaper.
One resident from West Donegal Township said if the borough charges for parking, many riders might head to Middletown to catch the train. Parking is free there, and the train ticket to Harrisburg cheaper. Borough Council knows this. Let's talk about it.
How do we assess fees for daily commuters vs. people who might spend the weekend in Philadelphia or take the train on a week long vacation?
There are borough residents who never ride the train and never will. Is it fair for them to pay taxes for maintenance at the train station?

Borough Council is exploring all of these issues, and we want feedback from everyone. What haven't we thought about? What solution do you have?

Let's talk about it here.

Borough has an online solution to reporting problems with street lights

2010-06-11T21:51:00.000-04:00

If you live in Elizabethtown, you now now have an easy and convenient way to report problems with streetlights online.

By simply following the link, type in the grid number, which is the number on the two metal labels on every utility pole. If you don't know the number, simply click on the Unknown Grid Number button, which will take you to a screen where you can type in Elizabethtown's ZIP code (17022).

This brings you to a screen where you can type in your address. A Google map of the area appears with icons showing the locations of the streetlights in that area of town. You just click on the light that has an issue and follow the on-screen menus to report it.

I recently reported a problem with a light outside my house. I found the system to work very easily. If you're at all familiar with using online tools, it will be a cinch for you.

E-town celebrates Memorial Day with parade, ceremony

2010-05-31T13:01:00.001-04:00

Here are some photos that I took with my BlackBerry before and during the Elizabethtown Memorial Day parade and ceremony. Today is one of my favorite things about being an elected official. It is a great honor to walk in the parade and be part of the ceremonies to commemorate the nation's fallen soldiers.

Elizabethtown has 35 soldiers going back to World War I who have given their lives in service to the United States. Of those, 18 died during World War II.

Resident faces charges after barricading self in house

2010-05-18T11:41:00.000-04:00

An Elizabethtown man faces charges after he barricaded himself in his residence in the 300 block of Park Street Saturday night and early Sunday morning.

Matthew Shull, 31, was charged after the incident with third-degree felony making terroristic threats, second-degree misdemeanor recklessly endangering another person and a third-degree misdemeanor disorderly conduct.

The charges stem from an incident that begain at 9:23 p.m. Saturday when Elizabethtown Police were dispatched to the 300 block of East Park Street for a 31-year-old male who had threatened to barricade himself in his residence and potentially harm himself and the police. The male, identified as Shull, was armed with a 9mm handgun.

In a news release, Police Chief Jack Mentzer reported that police officers responded to the scene and observed Shull discharge the handgun inside the residence. Officers from the borough, Northwest Regional Police Department and Mount Joy Police Department surrounded the residence and evacuated neighbors. The police requested assistance from the Lancaster County Special Emergency Response Team (SERT).

SERT arrived to the scene and attempted to make contact with Shull. Those attempts were unsuccessful. Eventually tear gas was deployed into the residence which caused Shull to exit the residence. Shull was taken into custody at 1:30 a.m. Sunday and treated by medical personnel.

Shull was arraigned in front of District Justice William Rueter on Tuesday and committed to Lancaster County Prison in lieu of $250,000 bail.

Census workers go door to door

2010-05-18T06:47:00.000-04:00

Teams of U.S. Census enumerators are going door to door to interview people who did not return their census forms. Nationwide, the response rate is 72 percent; in the Elizabethtown area, the response rates range between 76 percent and 81 percent, according to the Census' Take 10 Map that lets you search by ZIP code and displays a Google map.

A friend of mine is working as an enumerator, and I thought I would relay what he told me about his experience. He asked me not to identify him because Census workers are sworn to protect the confidentiality of the Census information.

"We must take that very seriously. I can't tell even tell my family where I will be going on my assignments. ...

"Everything is kept confidential, and it generally takes 10 minutes for a person to either fill out his form or complete an interview with an enumerator. Personal information is kept confidential under federal law for 72 years. The general statistics are used to determine how billions of dollars are spent because Census data helps Congress make decisions on where to spend money based on population density throughout each state.

"It's quite simple to comply with federal law and assist a Census worker who comes knocking on your door. You have nothing to be afraid of, and it really doesn't take that much of your time. Of course, it also can help your community qualify for government funding."

Census data is also used to help determine representation in the U.S. House of Representatives. By filling out your form and/or answering an enumerator's questions, you are helping Elizabethtown and Pennsylvania by ensuring a stronger representation in Congress and giving the Commonwealth a voice nationally.

Suspect arrested at 1:30 this morning after standoff with police

2010-05-16T07:43:00.001-04:00

Elizabethtown police arrested a man early this morning after a four-hour standoff with him in the 300 block of East Park Street.

Police were dispatched to the residence at 9:23 p.m. Saturday for a man who had threatened to barricade himself in his residence and potentially harm himself and the police, according to a news release issued by Police Chief Jack Mentzer. The suspect was armed with a 9mm handgun, and other weapons were in the residence.

Police responded to the scene and observed the man discharge the handgun inside the residence, the news release reported. Elizabethtown Police Department, with the assistance officers from Northwest Regional and Mount Joy, surrounded the residence and evacuated neighbors. Police requested assistance from the Lancaster County Special Emergency Response Team (SERT).

SERT arrived to the scene and attempted to make contact with the male. Those attempts were unsuccessful. Eventually tear gas was deployed into the residence which caused the male to exit the residence. The male was taken into custody at 1:30 a.m. and treated by medical personnel.

The male is facing several criminal charges that are expected to be filed in the near future.

The identity of the male is being withheld until criminal charges are filed.

Work on train station parking lot to begin; lot will be closed for 2 months

2010-05-09T21:14:00.001-04:00

Word came last week that the parking lot at the Elizabethtown Train Station will be closed for two months starting May 17. The lot will be closed so curbing and electrical components can be installed. Eventually, the lot will be paved.

"It's something they (the contractor) wanted to do in warm weather months, and the time has come," Elizabethtown Borough Manager Roni Ryan told Borough Council last week.

Amtrak will distribute fliers to train riders and post signs at the train station to notify train riders about the lot closure. Riders also can use the 90 parking spaces at nearby Sycamore Square. The borough has an agreement with the owners there to allow parking during the train station construction.

Ryan added that the entire project is "moving along beautifully." She said canopies on the train platform are starting to take shape, and a portion of the slate roof on the old train station building has been completed. In addition, an opening has been cut for one of two elevators that will be installed. Riders can plan on some intermittent track outages through June.

A little self-promotion

2010-05-04T21:07:00.001-04:00

Let me take a break from the newsy version of Chronicling Elizabethtown and do a little self-promotion, for what's a politician worth if he doesn't promote himself a little. Right?

First, here's the backstory:

On March 29, Daniel Klotz and David Moulton were interviewing Karlo Gessner on their podcast called The Lancast, when the conversation veered in the direction of Elizabethtown and the great potential of our community. There's lots happening here in E-town especially with Folklore Coffee, the conversation went, and with lots of open store fronts there's plenty of possibility for new businesses.

Cool, I thought as I listened. But then Daniel started talking about the Fractured Prune, which left its spot on West High Street and successfully reopened on Queen Street in Lancaster. Daniel said that it would be great if businesses could follow a similar model by basically getting their legs here in our fine town and then move to Lancaster. I couldn't believe what I was hearing!

All of us in Elizabethtown know about the downtown struggles and trying to find businesses that are going to thrive. And the last thing we want is to become an incubator for Lancaster. We not only want our own business community -- we need it to serve our residents and to maintain a stable tax base.

So I called The Lancast guys out in the comment section of their website and defended our community.And as any self-respecting interviewers would do, they invited me to appear on their podcast this week to respond in person.

I have to say, they did a great job -- and especially Daniel, who made the comment -- and took everything with a sense of humor. They also asked some good questions about what it takes to run a community like E-town.

It was a great experience, and I would encourage you to follow the links above and listen not just to my interview but others as well. David and Daniel put some quality time into covering issues, topics and people that are of interest to people in Lancaster and Lancaster County. Sometimes, we just have to remind that that E-town is out here, too.

One side note: None of this would have happened had I not gotten involved with Twitter and Facebook. I met both Daniel and David in person a couple of times before appearing on their podcast thanks to get-togethers organized via those two social media outlets. Because I work in Lancaster, I wanted to connect with others there, and attending those "tweetups," as they're called, has proved to be a fantastic way to expand my network.

Environmental work holding up West College Avenue project

2010-04-25T22:09:00.000-04:00

An environmental study of potential problems at an old service station on West College Avenue has delayed the start of the project to extend it toward the M&M/Mars factory. At its meeting on April 15, Elizabethtown Borough Council authorized spending $81,000 -- which was not budgeted in the $3.3 million project -- to determine the extent of any issues.

A prior environmental study concluded that underground storage tanks at the service station might have caused problems. It did not reveal the extent of, or even if there were, problems. The additional money that Borough Council authorized spending will pay for a second phase study that will do just that.

The work is required by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, and the borough must follow regulations from the state Department of Environmental Protection.

For many months, the borough has been hoping to put the second phase of the West College Avenue project (estimated to be $2.5 million of the entire $3.3 million cost) out to bid. This latest issue will delay any construction by at least 12 weeks, with perhaps a completion date by the fall of 2012.

To say that Borough Council is unhappy about this latest twist is an understatement, especially as we look at such a large unbudgeted expense. Yet, we all realize that we must forge ahead. The West College Avenue extension, and the renovated intersection at Market Street, will be a significant improvement for Elizabethtown.

We also must thank M&M/Mars for being a great corporate citizen by allowing traffic to cut across its driveway/parking lot on Bainbridge Street. During the first phase of the project, completed in September 2008, traffic was diverted from Bainbridge Street to West High Street, causing significant backups and delays at times.

Thanks to M&M/Mars, traffic can flow relatively normally while the second phase is constructed.

E-town Area SD receives conditional approval for East High Street plans

2010-04-20T07:24:00.001-04:00

Elizabethtown Borough Council granted conditional approval to the Elizabethtown Area School District for its plans to expand East High Street Elementary School and other improvements to the campus and sports fields on East High Street.

School district Superintendent Amy Slamp and other representatives presented the plans in a conditional use hearing to Borough Council on April 15. The hearing was the first step in the approval process for constructing the addition at the elementary school. The district will need to seek additional approvals from the zoning hearing board and Borough Council after submitting a land development plan.

Under the borough's zoning ordinance, applicants who submit plans to expand their facilities by more than 10,000 square feet must have a conditional use hearing before Borough Council. During the hearings, the applicants and the borough administrative staff present testimony is a quasi-judicial hearing. If council approves of plans, it can impose conditions.

In the case of EASD, council approved the application with a list of 31 conditions.

Slamp told Council that the district needs to expand East High Elementary because of overcrowding in the district. The construction of Bear Creek Intermediate School, underway on the EASD campus but situated in nearby Mount Joy Township, will move 900 students in fourth, fifth and sixth grades there when it opens for the 2011-12 school year.

"It gives us elbow room and space to grow," Slamp told council in March when she went over the district's plans informally.

The East High Street Elementary School addition will include a gym, computer rooms, an art room and small group space. The district plans to complete the addition and then remodel the rest of the school by wing, moving students from one wing into the addition until work is done and then moving the back.

In addition to the new construction, the school district has plans to renovate the athletic fields, including the the football stadium and the field hockey field, from the high school all the way to the Elizabethtown Fairgrounds (which the district owns). Slamp said the district does not want to burden taxpayers with the expense of work on the athletic facilities and will be seeking funding through grants and fundraising.

Former mayor, councilman receives O'Connor Public Service Award

2010-03-30T22:37:00.005-04:00

Former Elizabethtown Mayor and Councilman Ken Reighard received the Vincent W. O'Connor Public Service Award at the Elizabethtown Chamber of Commerce's annual dinner Friday, March 26.

A lifelong resident of the borough, Ken served Elizabethtown's municipal government for more than 30 years as mayor and a member of council. (Here's a bit of trivia: Ken was mayor during the emergency at Three Mile Island in 1979.) During those years, he also was a director with the Elizabethtown Area Water Authority, a member of the Planning Commission, the Parks Commission and the Civil Service Commission.

Ken retired from public service about two and a half years ago after deciding not to run for Borough Council again because of health concerns.

I can give credit to Ken for my being elected to Borough Council after his decision not to run again. I met him initially in 1999 when I served as editor of the Elizabethtown Chronicle and covered Borough Council. Later, when I realized that he and I attend the same church, Christ Church United Church of Christ, we connected more frequently and often discuss local politics.

After having served on the Elizabethtown Zoning Hearing Board for nearly four years, I remember Ken approaching me in church one Sunday morning.

"Jeff, I'd like you to replace me on Borough Council," he said.

Replacing wasn't the right word to describe someone who committed so much of his life to serving the community. Consider that Ken's civic service also includes involvement with the Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club, American Legion and the VFW. He was a charter member of Willowood Swim Club where he served as director for several years. And at Christ Church, he served as a trustee, deacon, elder and consistory president.

And that's why Borough Council selected him to receive the 2010 O'Connor Award. The dedication to making Elizabethtown a better place is something we all talk about and want for our community. Ken actually made that happen over the second half of the 20th century, and for that I -- and I think I can say the rest of Borough Council -- am eternally grateful.

###

Here is some additional biographical information about Ken Reighard:

He graduated from Elizabethtown High School in 1949 and completing his higher education at Central Penn Business College and Elizabethtown College. In 1952, he enlisted in the Army and was deployed to Korea. After the war he returned to Elizabethtown where he eventually became manager and owner of Shearer’s Furniture Store and Bob’s Flower Shop. Before retiring in 1995, he was vice president of Mutual Inspection Bureau.

Ken and his wife, Clara (Betz), had three children, son Ted, daughter Shirley Byron and son Kim (deceased), five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

Return your 2010 Census questionnaire

2010-03-20T13:07:00.000-04:00

If you're like me, you received your 2010 Census questionnaire in the mail recently.

On behalf of Elizabethtown Borough, I encourage you to fill out the form and return it right away. The government uses the information gleaned -- which is the age of everyone and the number of people in a household -- to determine representation in Congress. It also uses the information to determine how to distribute federal money.

I have heard some people say that we don't have to give this information to the government, which really floors me. If they're scared that the government is going to use the information for nefarious purposes, everything I have read and heard says the information remains confidential. Here are some common questions about privacy with the census and some additional information about that.

It particularly irks me that some people would encourage others not to return their forms because it undermines one of the basic tenets of our democracy: representation in Congress. Already, state officials are projecting that Pennsylvania will lose a seat in the U.S. House after the census statistics are compiled. That means one less person on Capitol Hill fighting for the Commonwealth and airing our concerns in Washington, D.C.

So if you haven't yet returned your form, please take 10 minutes to fill out the 10 questions and put it in the mail. It's good for our country, our Commonwealth and the Elizabethtown community.

Delegation from E-town's sister city vists borough

2010-03-19T07:04:00.004-04:00

A delegation from Letterkenny, Ireland, visited Elizabethtown this week between St. Patrick's Day parades in Philadelphia and New York City. Letterkenny is Elizabethtown's sister city, and the two towns established ties in the last decade.

In the accompanying photo, from left, are Jimmy Harte, Letterkenny's deputy mayor; Mayor Jim Lynch; and the Town Clerk Paddy Doherty.

Their visit to Elizabethtown was just a few hours on Monday, giving them an opportunity to meet with Mayor Chuck Mummert, Borough Manager Roni Ryan and Assistant Borough Manager Cindy Foster. They also had lunch at Elizabethtown College, where they met with Beth Bergman from the Elizabethtown Chamber of Commerce and some college officials.

Mummert reported at this week's Borough Council meeting that the Irish visitors would like to establish some trade ties with Elizabethtown by having businesses send goods and products to sell. There are some obvious ties, thanks to the M&M/Mars factory here, and E-town College might be able to promote some of its sweatshirts and other clothing.

There are any number of smaller businesses, too. I'm thinking about Spence Candies, which produces delicious handmade candy, or any others that can make a solid connection to Elizabethtown. If you have any other ideas about businesses that might want to export goods to Ireland, let me know, or follow the link to the Chamber of Commerce above and give them a call.

How to save a quarter-million dollars

2010-03-15T21:37:00.000-04:00

It's not often elected officials can save taxpayers more than a quarter-million dollars.

But with a unanimous roll call vote, that's what Elizabethtown Borough Council did earlier this month in voting to refinance the borough's debt. And just by lucky timing, interest rates were low and investors were hungry -- so council refinanced to an interest rate of about 3.3 percent, saving more than $265,000 because of the lower interest rate.

As the borough's financial adviser, Chris Gibbons of Concord Public Finance stated, it's just like refinancing the mortgage on your house to a lower interest rate.

The borough has authorized Gibbons to recommend refinancing if it will save taxpayers a minimum of $150,000. This time, Elizabethtown lucked out -- and I think I can speak for all of Borough Council that we're pleased.

Add phone numbers to ensure emergency notifications

2010-03-10T20:06:00.000-05:00

During last months snowstorms, Elizabethtown residents received automated phone calls from the Swift911 service to announce a snow emergency and information related to impact the storms had on services such as trash removal.

By and large, the system worked very well. Speaking from personal experience, I picked up the phone and heard the first message in its entirety. I was pleased to know that the message looped so that anyone could hear the whole thing.

Now, the borough is asking all residents to make sure their phone numbers in the database are accurate. This really is critical, especially in these times when many people don't have traditional phone service and use just cell phones. By filling out the form at the link above, residents can add more than one or two phone numbers to ensure they receive important emergency notifications. They also can opt to include a phone number where they can receive text messages.

Portion of train station platform opens

2010-02-27T23:23:00.003-05:00

A newly installed portion of the platform at the Elizabethtown Train Station opened this month, serving Amtrak riders who are headed north to Harrisburg.

The platform is now raised off the ground, meaning that riders no longer will have to use a step stool to enter trains. And those using wheelchairs will be able to roll right onto the trains.

Borough Manager Roni Ryan reported that the contractor, Lobar Construction, expects to have a portion of the southbound platform open at the beginning of March.

Until the project is complete, riders access the platforms via temporary stairs that have been built on either side of the tracks. The old stairs in the tunnel are closed and will be renovated and reopened.

On both sides, the platforms will eventually be extended so that entire trains can stop and riders board at any door on the trains.

In the meantime, and especially during the winter, work has continued on the train station building, including safe removal of asbestos and other hazardous materials. At a recent Borough Council meeting, council members discussed what kind of use might occur in the station once the project is completed. Council and borough officials are open to creative ideas.

Elizabethtown received $9.3 million in federal stimulus money through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for the project. Borough officials had been working and planning for the project for more than 10 years.

Residents might be eligible for free weatherization services

2010-02-26T08:57:00.000-05:00

Residents of Lancaster County -- for the record, this includes all the municipalities in the Elizabethtown Area School District -- might be eligible for free weather proofing of their homes or apartments.

The Housing Development Corp. in Lancaster (full disclosure: I am the marketing and public relations manager for HDC) has held the state contract to provide weatherization services in the county (as well as in Lebanon and Chester counties) since 1976. This year, HDC is the recipient of $8.75 million in federal stimulus money through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act to help even more people.

The weatherization program is designed to make homes more energy efficient by adding insulation, sealing drafty windows and making other changes that keep people warmer while reducing their energy costs. The work could reduce energy bills by as much as 30 percent -- and that's significant now that electric rates have increased dramatically.

The weatherization assistance program is entirely free to people who qualify.

The program assists people whose household income is less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level. The chart below shows the various income eligibility levels depending on how many people are living in the household:

1 person: $21,660	5 persons: $51,580
2 persons: $29,140	6 persons: $59,060
3 persons: $36,620	7 persons: $66,540
4 persons: $44,100	8 persons: $74,020

(Each additional person: $7,480)

Call 800-732-3554 for a FREE consultation about weatherizing your home.

New weekly newspaper opens in E-town

2010-02-18T21:36:00.000-05:00

A new weekly newspaper called The Elizabethtown Advocate has opened its doors and has begun covering local news and sports.

Dan Robrish, a veteran of The Associated Press in Philadelphia, left his job there and began publishing the independent weekly paper three weeks ago. In talking with him after tonight's Borough Council meeting, he said that he has always had a goal and a desire to own and operate his own newspaper, and after working the night shift for years in Philadelphia -- a shift that Dan said is frequently filled with depressing news -- he decided to forge ahead with his plan.

So far, the paper has been six pages of solid local news that one would expect in a weekly newspaper, including great photos of local sports, well written news coverage of this month's snow storms and a locally written editorial each week. I was pleased to see a letter to the editor in this week's edition, an indication that people are picking up copies, subscribing and reading.

I was pleased to see in last week's paper some photos from my former colleague Anne Deimler, whom I worked with at the Hershey Chronicle in the late '90s. Readers of the former Elizabethtown Chronicle (disclosure: I was the editor of the E-town Chronicle about 10 years ago) will recognize the byline of Chris McCarthy, the editor when the Chronicle was closed last year, who Dan said will be covering some high school sports.

All of us on Borough Council are thrilled to have a locally published newspaper once again. This development won't impact Chronicling Elizabethtown because I think this blog will continue to fulfill a need in the community to spread the word about borough news.

Especially during the recent snowstorms, I can use the blog to communicate important announcements quickly so please continue check here regularly.

Trash collection cancelled until next week

2010-02-13T16:22:00.001-05:00

The Feb. 10 blizzard that walloped Central Pennsylvania has caused Elizabethtown's waste hauler to cancel pick up of trash, including those that were scheduled for today.

And officially, the borough lifted the snow emergency at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 11.

Penn Waste will collect double amounts of trash on the regular pick-up days during next week's collection, Feb. 17 to 19. The woody waste collection scheduled for today has been rescheduled for Saturday, Feb. 20.

Please check the Penn Waste website for more information.

As one borough councilman, let me express my thanks to residents for their cooperation and patience during this weather event.

Borough declares snow emergency

2010-02-09T20:34:00.000-05:00

Elizabethtown Borough has declared a snow emergency thanks to the second major snowstorm to hit south central Pennsylvania in less than a week.

The snow emergency is in effect until further notice. The borough's ordinance outlines snow emergency routes as follows:

The entire lengths of East and West High Street
The entire lengths of South and North Market Street
College Avenue from Market Street to Spruce Street
Spruce Street from College Avenue to Willow Street
Willow Street from Spruce Street to Market Street

Parking is prohibited on the snow emergency route to assist with snow plowing and to keep the streets open for traffic. Also, vehicles driving on the route are required to be equipped with snow tires or chains.

All borough residents were scheduled to receive a recorded phone call this evening with a thorough explanation of the emergency and the parking restrictions. Borough staff also were calling those residents who live on the snow emergency route specifically to notify them separately.

In addition, Wednesday trash collection has been rescheduled for Saturday.

Beginning at noon today, the police department has begun contacting residents who have not moved their cars since the last storm, notifying them of the 72 hour on-street parking restrictions and requiring them to move their vehicles.

A snowstorm Friday into Saturday dumped nearly 20 inches of snow on Elizabethtown. The latest forecast from the National Weather Service show tonight's storm lasting until tomorrow evening, with predictions of 10 inches to 18 inches.

Elizabethtown College president announces retirement

2010-01-16T21:06:00.001-05:00

I received the following text in an e-mail, which I've copied and pasted verbatim:

The following letter is being distributed to the campus community at the request of Elizabethtown College President Theodore Long.

January 15, 2010

Dear Friends in the Elizabethtown College Community,

This morning I informed the Board of Trustees of my intention to retire as President of Elizabethtown College, effective July 31, 2011.

Since my appointment in 1996, I have devoted myself to helping the college realize its greatest possibilities, and it is now time for a new leader to move the institution even further ahead. The college has made notable progress in the past 15 years, and as we conclude some important work over the next year, this is a good time to launch a new stage in the college’s development. In addition, Betty and I are eager to enjoy some new experiences together while we remain vigorous and energetic.

From the very first, I fell in love with Elizabethtown – its mission, its people, the place – and my affection for the college has only grown over the years. I am deeply grateful to have had the opportunity to lead this wonderful institution and for the generous support all of you have extended to me through the years. My work here has been immensely rewarding, both for what the college has achieved and for the rich personal relationships I have developed over the years.

I will certainly miss the rhythm of our work together, regular engagement with students, and the joyful life of this community. But I will leave knowing that the transforming work of education for service and leadership is in your good hands. And I will always cherish what we have accomplished together to advance the college’s historic mission in the 21st century, as I will your enduring friendship and colleagueship.

There is more to be done before the summer of 2011, and I remain committed to achieving as much as possible in those 18 months. During that time, I also hope to see as many of you as possible to thank you personally for your support and for what you have contributed to Elizabethtown’s success. Because of you, I am confident that Elizabethtown will continue to flourish and to achieve new levels of excellence in the years ahead.

Sincerely,

Theodore E. Long
President

More track outages start at train station

2010-01-05T07:19:00.002-05:00

Train riders at the Elizabethtown Train Station may have noticed track outages that started yesterday. The outages are in effect for the north side platform until Jan. 8.

As occurred last month, the outages will occur between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. so the contractor can install platform decking for the newly extended platform. Signs are posted to direct train riders to the proper platform during the outage.

Work is progressing on schedule and significant progress is expected in the months ahead. The south side platform decking installation is scheduled for Jan. 11 to 15. All of the work is weather permitting. Once the decking has been put in place and the temporary stairs erected, then work will proceed on the main portions of the existing platform.

Work continues inside the train station building. Hazardous materials such as asbestos have been removed, and the new floor in the basement of the building has been poured. Work is proceeding to shore the floor joists for the first floor. Roofing work will continue with the installation of a completely new slate roof that will match the former roof in style and construction.

PARKING NOTE: The borough and Susquehanna Wagman Associates have signed an agreement that will permit riders to use the rear of the Sycamore Square commercial development for temporary parking during the train station construction project. Ninety spaces have been set aside for use by riders provided that the riders obey the designated parking areas and respect the property. Signs will be erected that specify the areas that are designated for temporary parking (those spaces closest to Bainbridge Street behind the vacant commercial properties).

In addition, two-hour parking signs will be installed on Masonic Drive in front of the commercial properties to preclude daily parking by train riders. Parking in front of the Sycamore Square development impacts the customers and staff of the tenant occupying the building closest to the train station. The borough will be responsible for snow plowing in the lot during the construction period. Vehicles and items in the vehicles are the sole responsibility of the owners and neither of Susquehanna Wagman Associates nor the borough.

Newly elected councilman sworn in at Borough Council's reorganization meeting

2010-01-05T07:02:00.001-05:00

Neil J. Ketchum, a former member of the Elizabethtown Planning Commission, was sworn in as a member of Borough Council at its Jan. 4 reorganization meeting.

Ketchum was elected in November and is filling a post that Councilman Chuck Mummert left to run for mayor. In his first official duties as mayor, Mummert swore in Ketchum and two incumbent councilmen, Dr. C. Dale Treese and Meade G. Bierly.

At the reorganization, Borough Council also elected Councilman Phil Clark as president of council and Councilman Tom Shaud as vice president.

Note about comment policy

2009-12-23T20:19:00.000-05:00

Because of some recent spam passed off as comments, I have instituted a policy of moderating all comments. I will receive an e-mail when you comment and will review to ensure they are appropriate. For the record, this is not an effort to censor anyone except spammers hawking offensive websites and inappropriate and unrelated content. I pledge to post all comments, regardless of whether they are critical of me and my writing or not. Thank you for your cooperation.

Council passes 2010 budget with no tax increase

2009-12-19T15:54:00.000-05:00

Borough Council passed the 2010 budget on Dec. 17 with no tax increase. The vote was 4-2, after a prior motion to increase taxes by two-tenths of a mill resulted in a tie. Mayor Robert Brain, in his last meeting before leaving office, cast the deciding vote in opposition of raising taxes.

The action means the borough has a budget of nearly $4.8 million for next year, just about $2,100 carried over from the current year. By all accounts, that is a razor-thin balance to start the year, which is in part why Councilman Dale Treese and I voted against a no-tax increase budget.

I believe that we need to look out for the long-term health of Elizabethtown, and while the economy is running roughshod over people the .2 mill increase was just $20 out of people's pockets. That would have generated $87,000 in additional revenue to give the borough a better cushion going into next year. The increase also was, in my mind, a good compromise and minimal enough to prevent a large increase next year.

But other council members felt otherwise, and we have a budget in place for 2010 that will maintain services. And for that, I credit all of council and the borough staff for working hard to ensure that.

Track outage scheduled for tomorrow at E-town Train Station

2009-12-16T14:33:00.000-05:00

Elizabethtown borough officials received notification this morning that a track outage will take place between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. tomorrow, Thursday, Dec. 17, at the Elizabethtown Train Station.

The outage is part of the ongoing construction and renovations of Amtrak station. It will allow the contractor to pour the concrete walls for the north side of the platform. This will be a one day outage. As they have this fall, riders are advised to follow the signs to enter the proper platform. All trains will operate on the existing schedule.

A second track outage is planned for next week, on Wednesday, Dec. 23, to allow the contractor to pour the concrete walls for the south side platform. While Amtrak officials are still reviewing the request, borough officials expect it will be approved. This track outage will not affect the train schedule and will be for one day only during the times as stated above.

Borough Council reviews budget cuts

2009-12-04T21:51:00.001-05:00

Two posts ago, I said that revenue sources for Elizabethtown are like an orange that's been juiced. After reviewing the 2010 budget at Borough Council's Dec. 3 workshop meeting, it is an apt description for the borough.

Faced with a $375,000 deficit in our first version of the budget in November, Council directed the borough staff to find 5 percent more to cut from each department. And to the credit of Borough Manager Pete Whipple and Assistant Borough Manager Roni Ryan, they did. The bottom line is they found cuts totaling $377,190. Both Whipple and Ryan said these cuts are not ideal, but they will allow Elizabethtown to maintain a level of service to which resident are accustomed.

Brutal fact: However, this means the borough will carry an unappropriated balance of $2,136 into 2010. Under good economic conditions, that balance might be about $300,000.

What does this mean for the borough? One snow storm in January that would require removing snow from the downtown area would easily push the budget into the red. And this doesn't figure any other emergencies later in the year.

Brutal fact: Ryan presented council with a budget whose expenditures were less than last year. The problems with the deficit exist solely because revenues have dried up. Because of the employment picture, we are receiving less in the earned income tax. Because housing sales are down, the borough has received far less in the real estate transfer tax. The budget issues have nothing to do with excessive spending or a bloated government. Elizabethtown runs a lean operation -- in fact, Whipple said there are fewer borough employees now than when he was hired as manager more than 30 years ago.

How is all of this going to shake out? Last night, three council members clearly voiced their opposition to an increase in taxes. Three others voiced opinions favoring a small increase in taxes.

I am reluctant to raise taxes because I am sensitive to the impact it would have on residents, especially during the recession. That said, we are living in extraordinary times -- and I am not certain that forgoing an increase is in the best long-term interests of Elizabethtown. As one councilman, I believe that we need to be watching out for this town not just for next year but 5 or 10 years from now.

Among Borough Council and the borough staff, the conventional wisdom is that we will be facing a similar budget a year from now, and as one councilman said, we might "face the music" and pass a significant tax increase rather than trying to ease the pain this year. This is the kind of gamble that we take as your elected officials.

My question is, if we face the music next year, how loud is that music going to be?

I sincerely doubt that Borough Council will end with a 3-3 tie vote on the 2010 budget, throwing the deciding vote to the mayor. I encourage all interested residents to attend the Dec. 17 council meeting to find out how this plays out.

Work at train station progresses

2009-12-02T15:40:00.001-05:00

Work at the Elizabethtown train station is progressing, starting again today after a holiday break for the contractor.

All of the shoring work for Phase I has been completed. There will be no need for track outages until after the Christmas holiday. The next track outage is planned for the week between Christmas and New Year's Day for the installation of the platform planks on the north side. The borough and the contractor remind train riders to adhere to the signs directing them to the proper platform during this track switch.

Work in a wide range of areas is continuing. Water, sewer and electric service trenching has been completed as well. Conduit was set in place for the gas service to the train station building, but UGI Utilities has not performed the work as of today. The trailer for the construction management firm was set in place in front of the station this past week. Hazardous materials abatement will conclude inside the station building once the proper permits have been received for the disposal of these materials.

In the weeks ahead, additional site storm sewer work will continue. The footings for the temporary steps on both sides of the platform have been poured. Weather permitting, the new slate roof on the building should be installed before the end of the year. Demolition of the exterior piers on the platform will be performed in December.

The borough and the construction manager are fielding shop drawings and submittals on a routine basis on a host of items for the project. All parties, including our contractor and Amtrak, are communicating effectively and coordinating the work to improve the overall project schedule.

Finally, borough officials has provided Amtrak with the architectural renderings for the project to display in the kiosks on the platform. The renderings were available at open houses held in late summer -- if you didn't see the views of the new platform then, this will give you a glimpse of the finished project.

Revenue sources are like an orange that's been juiced

2009-11-30T10:56:00.001-05:00

For the past month, Elizabethtown Borough Council has been working on the borough's 2010 budget, and it hasn't been a pretty picture. In short, the budget at the moment has a deficit of $375,000 -- but each councilman and the borough's staff are working tirelessly to reduce that amount and find ways to cut spending where it can be cut and squeeze additional revenues from sources that are like an orange that's already been juiced.

Because the country is in the midst of the worst recession in decades -- some would say we've teetered on the brink of another Great Depression -- revenue from sources such as the earned income tax and real estate transfer tax is way down. On top of this, the borough has pension requirements that it must fulfill under state law -- without adequate support from the state.

These are issues nearly every other municipality in Lancaster County is facing; rest assured Elizabethtown is not alone.

While it is true that it would take a tax increase of 20 percent to balance the budget as presented -- Borough Council is NOT considering such a hefty tax increase. The Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era's editors did the borough a disservice with a headline that screamed as such -- but no member of council is willing to place that kind of burden on the taxpayers of the community, especially given the dire economic straits in which many find themselves.

Borough Council discussed the budget for several hours at its November workshop meeting, and we have directed the borough staff to find additional cuts for each department. We are doing everything within our power to minimize the impact on taxpayers -- and we will discuss all options at our workshop meeting Thursday.

Council's plan is to have the details worked out by the end of the meeting Thursday so the borough staff can present a final budget for approval on Dec. 17.

Councilman elected as mayor

2009-11-07T23:30:00.001-05:00

In the Tuesday, Nov. 3, election Elizabethtown Borough Councilman Chuck Mummert was elected as mayor, replacing Mayor Bob Brain who did not run again.

Mummert is completing his first term on Borough Council and ran unopposed after defeating a Republican challenger in the spring primary.

Having served with the mayor-elect for the past two years, I supported Mummert in his election and fully believe that he will be a great leader for the community. To Mayor Brain, I wish him well as he pursues other interests in his retirement. He has been a great advocate for Elizabethtown, and he will be missed.

In related election news, Neil Ketchum ran unopposed to fill Mummert's vacancy on Borough Council, and was officially elected to the post on Tuesday. He has been a member of the borough planning commission for several years, and if his service is any indication he will bring a tremendous amount of insight and leadership to Borough Council.

Public can comment on E-town area's regional comprehensive plan tonight

2009-10-29T16:51:00.001-04:00

Elected officials from Elizabethtown and Conoy, Mount Joy and West Donegal townships will meet at 7:30 tonight receive public input and comment into a regional comprehensive plan. The meeting will take place in the Large Group Instruction room at the Elizabethtown Area High School.

Officials from all four municipalities have been meeting for nearly three years to develop the comprehensive plan. As the name implies, the plan takes a comprehensive look at all aspects of the greater Elizabethtown community, including transportation needs, where commercial and residential development should occur and recreation needs such as parks. Representatives from the local municipalities have been working with Lancaster County Planning Commission to ensure that the local plan meets the goals of the county's comprehensive plan.

While the plan is not a binding document, township supervisors and Borough Council will approve the plan by the end of the year. The intent is for the comprehensive plan to be a guide for elected officials and the administrative staffs in each municipality over the next 10 years.

Prior to the elected boards voting, each municipality's planning commission also will review the plan and vote either to recommend or not recommend that supervisors or Borough Council approve the plan. The Elizabethtown Planning Commission recommended approval at its meeting this month.

Gaining input from members of the public is a critical component because the the plan will help guide and influence decisions that will have an impact on residents for many years. If you can't attend tonight's meeting, I urge you to contact your councilman or supervisor to let your voice be heard.

Track outages will begin at train station next week

2009-10-22T19:55:00.000-04:00

Work at the Elizabethtown Train Station will cause track outages beginning Tuesday, Oct. 27. This will result in the closure of both the eastbound and westbound platforms -- one at a time -- until approximately Nov. 20.

The installation of pilings will result in the following schedule:

From Oct. 27 to Nov. 6, the north side (Wilson Avenue side) platform will be out of service.
The contractor will move to the south side (Masonic Drive side) platform from Nov. 9 to Nov. 20.
No track outages will be permitted from Nov. 22 to Nov. 29.

Signage will be prominently placed to alert riders which platform they are to access to meet their regularly scheduled train.

The pilings are part of sheeting and shoring work, which will help secure the train tracks as construction crews prepare for the construction of the new platforms. Amtrak is allowing the work to be done between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. each day. The Elizabethtown Borough and Lobar Inc., the contractor, are pleased that Amtrak is allowing for the work to be done during the day, which will result in a shorter time period for this portion of the phase one construction work.

Installing the sheeting and shoring during the day will also lead to less evening disruption for residents as the work involved is quite loud. Amtrak personnel will divert trains outside of Elizabethtown to one track or the other for this work to commence.

Train riders are reminded to that they will be able to access all trains as scheduled. They simply need to follow the signs to the proper platform.

The work is weather dependent and this schedule may be adjusted if it rains. The borough will notify riders if there is a significant change to the schedule detailed above -- and the borough continues to appreciate everyone's patience and support during this project.

New coffee shop to hold grand opening Friday

2009-10-05T22:50:00.002-04:00

A new coffee shop called Folklore Coffee & Company is slated to hold a "historic grand opening" from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday. The shop is located at 5 Center Square, where the former Moose's 5&10 and the General Store were located. Another coffee shop operated there about seven years ago.

Folklore's owners are promoting the grand opening via a Facebook event page.

This is very good news for downtown Elizabethtown, which by many accounts has been struggling in recent years. Mayor Robert Brain indicated recently that several new businesses were planning to open, and Folklore could be the thing to give the downtown a jump start, just like a breakfast blend in the morning.

As a coffee lover, a resident of this community and a member of Borough Council, I really want to see Folklore establish itself and become an anchor for downtown business.

Work on train station well underway

2009-10-04T15:53:00.002-04:00

Work at the Elizabethtown Train Station has started, including a fair amount of work inside the old building itself. Anyone who has visited the train station recently can tell work is happening. A chain link fence surrounds the area immediately around the old building, and signs on the fence direct pedestrians to a path to the rear of the fence from the back of the parking lot.

At Borough Council's workshop meeting Oct. 1, Borough Manager Pete Whipple reported that crews from Lobar Construction are working on some hazardous materials abatement inside the building -- all of which the borough knew about prior to the project. The work includes removing some old transformers and asbestos that was in caulking.

Whipple also told council that sheeting and shoring work, which is some of the most critical of the project because it will keep the train tracks in place and secure, will be done during the daytime. The work involves driving the materials into the ground with a large hammer, which creates a very loud banging. Lobar submitted a proposal to Amtrak to do the work during the day, and Amtrak approved the plan. Amtrak crews will reroute trains after Lobar meets certain advanced notification requirements.

Whipple said that work alone would take eight weeks.

"We are extremely appreciative that Amtrak has taken a favorable view of the submittal," Whipple said, adding that it is "phenomenally good news for the borough." That's not hyperbole, because the work could have been done at night. And with two apartment buildings and Masonic Village all within a stone's throw of the train station, such work done at night would have been disruptive to an entire section of the community.