Government & Politics

The Gettysburg borough council moved forward on a number of proposed ordinances at its workshop meeting on Monday evening. The council will move forward on a new complaints policy by which the public or others may make complaints about borough staff including members of the police department. The document sets a series of hierarchies for examining and resolving complaints and requires monthly summaries of potential complaints to be shared to the council. Vice President Matt Moon who in the absence of President Wes Heyser chaired the meeting, said the policy was created because it had been requested by members of the borough staff and that the documenting of incidents would help protect the borough from liability. “We hold our staff, both uniformed and non-uniformed to an incredibly high standard of behavior,” he said. The borough will postpone considering a resolution regarding the unlawful use of waste containers to a future contract with WM and will postpone considering a potential resolution regarding the unlawful sharing of utilities until it is relevant to a future borough contract. The borough will move forward with a new special events zoning ordinance that followed from a proposal from Scott Engiish that came to the council in February. The proposed use of the property at 66-68 W. High St. for events prompted the council to develop a special events zoning ordinance for the Elm St. Overlay District. But doing so opened a can of worms for the council because so many questions came up. The board agreed they should move forward expeditiously and that Mr. English had been waiting too long for a decision. Moon said the council was right in the approach it took because the English application had “laid bare” many questions including the use of public toilets. “Somewhere we got thrown a curveball,” said board member Chad-Alan Carr.  “We’re restricting somebody’s property and somebody’s business too much. I think we need to go back to the drawing board.” Eastman said any vote on the proposed ordinance could not occur until after a public hearing process. The borough is moving forward with a comprehensive rezoning plan. Planning Director Carly Marshall said the current document was signed in 2008 and that there have  been many amendments since then. The next regularly-scheduled meeting of the council will be on Dec. 12 when they hope to approve the 2023 budget, which is currently on display for public viewing.

The Adams County Commissioners have approved a $46,000 quote from Priority Dispatch Corporation that could improve how 911 calls are processed and ensure that the proper response is given to each emergency. Warren Bladen, Director of Adams County Emergency Management Systems, described the three types of responses to emergency calls – fire, police, and medical dispatch. When a 911 caller answers an operator’s question, the computer decides on the next question for the operator to ask. The quality assurance audit provided by the new system helps ensure that the appropriate questions are asked correctly and that the operator doesn’t skip, jump ahead, or ask questions out of order.  “It’s important for people to answer the questions completely so that the appropriate response can be made,” said Bladen. “And don’t hang up. Everyone assumes we have their location, but we don’t. Every bit of information could be critical.” he added. The contract will provide continual audits of emergency telecommunicators. This used to be handled in-house, but an increased workload demand created the need for an outside service. “This is the same company that provides protocols that the Pennsylvania Emergency Management (PEMA) has selected,” Bladen said. While computers are very useful in prioritizing the right questions to achieve the best response, Bladen said he doesn’t see it being a job fully taken over by artificial intelligence in the future. “It still needs that human element,” he said.   Inadvertent Real Estate Tax Relief In other business, the commissioners adopted an ordinance that will save new real estate holders in the county from having to pay fees or additional fines associated with late payment of taxes. The ordinance establishes a waiver form that new property owners can fill out if they don’t receive their real estate tax notifications because they have inadvertently been sent to the former owners. In the past, the new owners had to pay any late fees or fines associated with the late payments. Beginning in 2023, they can file a waiver acknowledging they did not receive the tax bill and pay only the face value of the tax. Offender Monitoring Device Price Increase The cost of offender monitoring devices has risen by ten cents per day, including alcohol, radio frequency, breathalyzer, and GPS monitoring. When offenders can’t pay the cost of their monitoring devices, the county picks up the tab. As of August, the total cost for unpaid monitors in 2022 was $14,500. Solicitor Molly Mudd pointed out that even with the county picking up the balance for the unpaid devices, it is a significant saving for the county to have offenders monitored in their homes rather than being placed in jail at the cost of about $115 per day per inmate. “This keeps them working and able to pay their fines,” said Commissioner Marty Qually. Moment of Silence Long-time resident Mary Furlong was remembered with a moment of silence at the beginning of Wednesday’s meeting. “She was a very vibrant and beneficial part of our community,” said Commissioner Randy Phiel. The volunteer, activist, and educator was an Adams County Courthouse tipstaff employee. She died Nov. 21.

The Pennsylvania Governor’s Office of the Budget has awarded Adams County’s Butler Township $1 million from its Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) to construct a multipurpose municipal complex. Grant funding will be used to advance plans on a new, fully functional township facility where safety and security are a priority. The proposed project will include a reception area, delineated offices and workspace, a meeting room with ample space for social distancing, and a maintenance area and garage that is all under one roof. Commonwealth legislators Rep. Torren Ecker and Sen. Doug Mastriano provided support letters for the request. “A huge thank you goes out to Rep. Torren Ecker,” said Butler Township Supervisor Chair Ed Wilkinson. “Rep. Ecker was an early supporter of our project and worked hard to get this funding secured. A township facility that houses all municipal functions will have a huge impact on safety, security, financial efficiency, and improved service and convenience for local residents.” Currently, the township houses its administrative office in the lower floor of a residential dwelling that was converted into office space and a public-meeting room. The salt shed and maintenance building are located across the township. The maintenance building is in derelict conditions and will likely no longer be insurable due to the age and structural instability. Not only will the new township facility increase efficiency with day-to-day operations, but it will also be designed to serve as an emergency operations center, if the need arises, and it will also provide the benefit of a polling location. “The new township facility will be a centralized location that will meet the growing demands of the community,” said Ecker. “I was happy to advocate for the township’s application for these funds.”

The proposed Gettysburg Borough 2023 budget is available on the borough’s website for public viewing and comment. The budget will potentially be approved at the Dec. 12 council meeting. According to the borough, the budget highlighs are: No Tax Increase Two Additional Police Officers Borough-wide Rezoning Project Capital Projects Advanced Gettysburg Welcome Center (Grant Application Submitted) Gettysburg Gateway Connectivity Project (Construction Money Grant Application Submitted) Design and Engineering (Grant Award Received) Gettysburg Inner Loop (Construction Money Grant Application Submitted) Design and Engineering (Grant Award Received) Area Segregation – Portable Barricade System (Grant Application Submitted) Street Preservation (Replace Broken Crosswalk on Steinwehr Avenue) Racehorse Alley Garage Maintenance Bridge Maintenance

The Adams County commissioners said they projected no tax increases for the 2023 fiscal year. “No tax increase and not cutting services” are solid positives for the budget, said Commissioner Randy Phiel. The county said it had received $10 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding that will be dispersed in several ways so that all county residents are positively affected, either directly or indirectly. Phiel said $584,000 in funds from ARPA was currently being dispersed to 34 municipalities, 17 fire departments, and two EMT companies. “None of these organizations know this is happening,” said Phiel. “They will be contacted right after this meeting.” Commissioner Marty Qually said the county’s current reserves of nearly $28 million provided the ability to cover the budget shortfall. “We could have used the ARPA funds to balance the budget but chose not to because we’ve had some good years,” he said. “The amount of hard work and effort and labor that goes into this is significant,” Phiel said, thanking the many people who worked toward achieving the budget goals. “It has been a tough year economically, but the county is in good shape financially.” Phiel said a fiscal team was created several years ago, fostering collaboration between the budget, controller, treasurer, and commissioner’s office. “One of the best things we’ve done is to create a team to look at our fiscal position.” The county budget is set at $87.7 million. In addition to wages, FICA, and benefits for county workers, expenditures will contribute toward the prison ($14.2 million), court services ($10.6 million), children services ($9.9 million), 911 telecommunications ($4.3 million), tax services ($3 million), and planning and development ($2.1 million). Proposed capital projects include solar panels on some public buildings, prison upgrades, and hardware and software programs that serve the county. “It is definitely a priority project to get this money to the community. These are funds that can impact the general welfare of the communities and essential services in the county,” said Commissioner Martin. It’s a win/win,” said Qually, “and that’s something you don’t often hear about federal funds. We made it through the pandemic that clearly impacted municipalities and services. Now we need to close that gap for some of them.” The tentative 2023 budget can be reviewed on the county website. ARPA funds will also make a direct contribution through a $5 million grant that will be divided and awarded for large-scale projects within the county. Currently in the application process, the minimum project cost is $250,000. The focus of these large-scale plans is water and sewer infrastructure and programs, services, or capital expenditures that respond to the pandemic’s public health and negative economic impacts, such as affordable housing initiatives and projects furthering workforce development. So far, the county has received 12 applications for the funds, but more are expected before the application period ends. At that point, an internal committee will review the applications, and funds will likely be awarded at the beginning of 2023. The application window closes at midnight Nov. 21. Information is provided on the county website. The Adams County Commissioners approved contracts totaling almost $170,000 for cybersecurity services to the information technology department. The hardware and software contracts will maintain and enhance products that archive and manage emails, record activity that can be reviewed for security purposes, provide email filtering and protection, and identify and respond to suspected malicious activity. Other programs provide firewall management, multi-factor authentication, endpoint device protection, and web filtering management that stops end users from going to harmful sites. Inmates over the age of 21 can now receive educational services unavailable in the past. At no additional or matching cost to the county, the Adams County Literacy Council will provide adult basic education services to the residents of the Adams Correction Center who are 21 years of age or older. Lincoln Intermediate Unit 12 will continue to provide education services to inmates under the age of 21. The next Adams County Commissioner’s Board meeting will take place Nov. 30, 9 a.m. in the ceremonial courtroom.

Mayor Rita Frealing and the Gettysburg Borough Council last night honored Dave Reese, Parking Meter Maintenance and Laborer, for 41 years of service to the borough.  Reese retired on November 2. Frealing said that since 1981 Reese had performed numerous services for the borough, including helping maintain the parking garage and other areas. Frealing thanked Reese for his “Outstanding dedication and unselfish service to both the citizens of the borough of Gettysburg and his fellow workers.”  The audience responded with avid applause and cheers. Proposed 2022 Budget After three budgetary work sessions the council is completing the draft of the proposed 2023 borough budget, which will be published on Nov. 28. The council will consider and potentially adopt the final budget at its meeting on Dec. 12. The proposed budget, which includes no tax increase, creates funding for two new police officers who will likely be hired as cadets who have not completed required police officer training.  This new policy, approved by the council at yesterday’s meeting, reflects a major change in how the borough hires officers. Rather than being hired with training, the new officers would complete training after being hired. The borough said the shift to hiring non-certified personnel would expand the pool of applicants, making it easier to hire a more diverse police force including potentially a bilingual Spanish-English speaker. Borough President Wes Heyser said the borough would work with labor relations to be sure the hiring was done properly. The proposed budget also includes a provision that provides reduced taxes for volunteer firefighters who live in the borough. News from Main Street Gettysburg 184 new memorial bricks were installed on Lincoln Square, bringing the total to almost 8,000 bricks. The Gettysburg Nature Alliance has donated $25,000 to the Welcome Center project. The Avenue of Trees along Steinwehr Ave. will be set up on Nov. 29 The annual Gettysburg Christmas Festival will be Dec 2 to 4.  “Every kind of reindeer you can imagine is going to be in Gettysburg that weekend,” said Sellers. Volunteers are needed for many different festival activities. More information about the festival is at  https://www.agettysburgchristmasfestival.com/ Mayor Frealing said she had held her first set of office hours at Gettysburg College.  Frealing said some students visited and indicated they “wanted to become part of Gettysburg.”

The Adams County Commissioners approved the submission of more than $320,000 for the 2022 Community Development Block Grant, awarding funding to Biglerville Borough and Hoffman Homes, as well as covering the county’s administrative fees, at its meeting yesterday. The $100,000 awarded to Biglerville Borough is the second grant in a multi-year project that will replace approximately 3,500 lineal feet of the water main serving the eastern portion of Biglerville Borough. “The upgrade to the water line along East York Street will provide more capacity to the residents borough-wide because the existing water main line is limited due to being undersized in some areas,” said Harlan Lawson, economic development specialist with the Adams County Office of Planning. He said the borough was awarded just under $111,000 for the same project last year and will likely seek funding from the state to continue the project in 2023. A grant of $163,338 was given to Hoffman Homes to install a steel fence approximately one-quarter mile long and seven feet high along Orphanage Road in front of Hoffman Homes’ property. It will create one point of entry and one point of exit for all individuals and vehicles. Located in Littlestown, Hoffman Homes for Youth provides treatment for those aged 7 to 21 diagnosed with a mental health disorder by offering services and support and helping to transition them back into the community. “The project will be completed in two stages,” said Hoffman Homes Executive Director Rebecca van der Boeuf. The first will provide the fencing along Orphanage Road; the second will be the construction of a gate with a camera monitoring system and the only way to enter the property. “The safety of our youth is paramount,” said van der Boeuf who explained that currently, there are two entrances to the property, and it is difficult to vet who is coming onto the property. “The type of youth we support places us at a higher risk of incidence,” she added. CDBG funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It can be used for housing rehabilitation, public services, community facilities, infrastructure improvement (water, sewer, stormwater), streets and sidewalks, economic development, and planning. The minimum request is $100,000 with no ceiling limit. In other council business, the Adams County Adult Correctional Center will receive two roof-top HVAC units with a cost to the county of $361,132 and an additional $15,240 for automation control for the units. The current system is 22 years old and needs repair. Enginuity, LLC of Mechanicsburg, PA, will complete the work. A further $2,589 proposal was approved to hire Overhead Door Company of Harrisburg-York to replace the tracks and lift cables on the overhead garage door of the outdoor storage building at the ACACC.   An upgrade to the county’s controller office accounting software has been approved at the cost of $11,340. The upgrade includes consulting, project management, and technical and training services. The county information technology services department has renewed its license for a reporting and analytics app that allows the IT network team to navigate and search data coming from the Cisco VoIP phone system to build reports and dashboards around that information. In addition, software updates for FaxFinder will provide the ability for all offices to send and receive faxes securely and digitally. Both agreements will cost about $4,300. Adams county Emergency Services will share certain 911 data with Carroll County to enhance call routing and transfers between the two counties. 911 calls near the MD/PA border are sometimes challenging to locate, depending on which tower provides the service.

At Monday’s board meeting, Gettysburg Area Recreational Authority (GARA) Executive Director Erin Peddigree said the Gettysburg Adams Kiwanis club had donated $1,000 to GARA for playgrounds. In terms of the budget, Peddigree said GARA was “right on track with last year.” Peddigree said baseball and softball continued in the park, and that Weikert Field would be painted this week. Peddigree said the park would install new lighting to make the Sterner building parking lot brighter at night. Board President Steve Niebler said that after talking to an expert he was “more positive” about the ability to repair the amphitheater tile mural. Niebler said he would ask the local Optimist Club to help contribute to the cost of repairing the amphitheater roof as part of the repair work. Peddigree said the rec park would be hosting a crafts show with food trucks and kids’ activities during the Gettysburg Christmas Festival. Peddigree said that all of the annual rec park events were expected to continue into next year and that with the Farmer’s Market also coming, “2023 is already pretty full.” Peddigree said she was applying for grants to repair the restrooms, sponsor music in the park, and maintain the park’s restrooms.

Adams County’s Technology Department Chief Phillip Walter told members of the Adams County Council of Governments (ACCOG) on Wednesday that his department will play a vital role in securing the vote during the upcoming election on Nov. 8. “We train pollsters, teach them how to use software, scanners, and other devices, and what to do in case of equipment issues,” Walter explained. He said the department had been working diligently to meet new state standards. As election night unfolds, his department will help with the central scanner, opening envelopes, and have rovers go to different sites to check out any units that may have a problem. “We take cybersecurity very seriously,” he said, adding that live streaming will also be available on election night. Walters told ACCOG members the IT department has been making many changes in the past few years, including the current transition of its website from adamscounty.us to adamscountypa.gov. The IT department is organized into four areas — work orders, department projects, IT projects, and organizational alignment. “We are woven into the fabric of what departments do. We look at what their business is and then determine how we can enhance each area to help move government forward.” The county will now use only encrypted devices such as phones, laptops, and tablets that will be secure if lost or stolen. Walter said that as part of the plan to help the county streamline its technology, training would be provided to ensure employees can get the best use of the software. 9/11 Memorial Trail Dennis Hickethier, secretary of Healthy Adams Bicycle/Pedestrian, Inc (HABPI), gave a presentation regarding the 9/11 Memorial Trail. Thirty-six miles of trails in Adams County will form part of the 1300-mile trail, connecting three memorials to honor those lost during the 2001 terrorist attacks. The multi-use trail that links the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the Flight 92 Memorial in western PA will begin at Caledonia State Park, continue into the borough of Gettysburg, and then extend eastward into Hanover. “We are fortunate the trail comes through Gettysburg,” Hickethier said. While there is no direct funding for the trail’s completion, many municipalities are promoting its use, and that should eventually bring more people into Gettysburg to see what Adams County has to offer, he said. David Laughman, Legislative Chair for ACCOG, asked how the trail will interface with the planned Adams County Historical Trail and Hickethier said parts of the 9/11 trail would merge with it. Hickethier said the county office of planning is creating maps for the trails. Once completed, the alliance will send letters to the seven municipalities involved, asking for approval for trail signs to be placed in appropriate locations. He encouraged the municipalities involved to embrace the project and said the signs would be free of charge. Broadband Project George Mauser, vice-chair of the Adams County Broadband Community Task Force, asked for a spot on future ACCOG agendas to update county governments on a study to provide unserved and underserved areas of Adams County with broadband networks. Mauser said that surveys would be distributed within a couple of weeks through hard copies, mailings, and the county website to determine where coverage is and isn’t available. Mauser encouraged county governments to distribute the surveys as widely as possible so that residents would hear the message multiple times through multiple sources. Two meetings took place recently to seek public input into the broadband needs of Adams County. A draft of the survey distributed at the meetings asks a variety of questions concerning broadband usage, speeds, availability, and reliability, among others. The Broadband feasibility study was designed to address the development and implementation of a county-wide broadband network using available federal funding if awarded. Adams County Commissioner Marty Qually said the survey would provide information needed to qualify for the funding. “At the end of the day, it’s ‘Can we get the funding?’ We need boots on the ground,” he said. Commissioner Report Adams County Commissioner Randy Phiel said the coming county budget is tight, but no tax increase is anticipated. “We’re in good shape,” he said. Phiel reminded municipalities that all ballots for the Nov. 8 election must be in election offices by 8:00 p.m. and that ballots post-marked after that time will not be counted. Response and Recovery Adams County Response and Recovery Fund (ARRF) applications are now being accepted through Nov. 21. Sherry Clayton-Williams, director of the county office of planning and development, said two applications have already been received. ARRF focuses on utility infrastructure improvements and large-scale community development projects. A grant of five million dollars has been received for these projects from the US Department of the Treasury as part of the state and local fiscal recovery programs. The minimum project amount is $250,000. Clayton-Williams invited anyone with questions to contact the county office of planning. In other council business, Carl Pietrzak, President of Destination Gettysburg, announced that the county experienced a strong tourist season, with hotel occupancy rates up seven percent over last year. He said travel behavior is still very strong, despite gas prices and economic uncertainty. But he said there are still challenges when it comes to staffing. ACCOG president David Bolton announced that as he retires and Vice-President Terry Scholle steps up to replace him, there will be an opening on the ACCOG council. “We are looking for someone from a borough who would like to serve as vice president next year,” he said and appointed David Laughman as head of the nomination committee. The next ACCOG meeting will take place on November 17.

Borough Manager Charles Gable said the proposed 2023 budget would include the possibility of hiring an additional 2 full-time police officers. If approved, the officers would cost the borough about $100,000 each. If approved, the new officers would bring the force to a total of 14 full-time officers. Glenny reminded drivers that there is an implied pedestrian crosswalk at every intersection that has either a stop sign or a stop light. Glenny said pedestrians always have the right of way if they are in the area of a crosswalk. “Whether it is painted, marked, designated, or not, if somebody is crossing the street at an intersection and they are in the area that would be a crosswalk, vehicles have to stop for them,” said Glenny. Glenny also reminded pedestrians that if they do not have right of way if they are crossing the street outside of an intersection. Glenny also said that pedestrians who are crossing at crosswalks in which there are pedestrian-controlled flashing lights must use the lights to assure they have the right of way while crossing. Glenny said the department would be continuing its enforcement of pedestrian and driver safety regulations. Glenny also said that nationally there had been an increase in the use of drugs that do not respond to the Narcan antidote. “We are seeing that tick up.  I hope and pray that that doesn’t come here. We as a community have done will with Narcan and reducing our overdose deaths,” he said. Glenny said the department was applying for a $148,000 local law enforcement support grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). The grant, if approved, would provide upgrades to police department computers and communications as well as for video surveillance around Lincoln Square. The grant also requests funding for officer training, retention bonuses, and wellness support. Glenny said the grant requests were all tied to reducing crime rates and increasing clearance rates. Mayor Rita Frealing said that this year’s borough Trick or Treat will be held Monday Oct. 31 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Saying lighting in the borough is not always good, Frealing asked drivers to slow down during the trick or treat hours. The date for the 2022 Halloween Parade has also been announced as Oct. 25 with a rain date on Oct. 27.  The parade will include two Grand Marshals: Frealing and former mayor Ted Streeter. Board member Chad-Alan Carr reminded council that Gettysburg Project Léon had sponsored the 2022 Salsa on the Square event and encouraged people to donate to the organization during the upcoming Giving Spree. Martin Jolin was re-appointed to a 5-year term on the Shade Tree Commission. Rebecca Brown was appointed as an alternate to the Shade Tree Commission, also for a 5-year term. The borough said their health insurance costs would rise 15.8 percent in 2023. The increase is substantially larger than the increases over the past years, which have averaged about 6 percent. Gable said the overall increase to the borough would be about $80,000. The borough’s health insurance is provided through the PCHIP health insurance program along with 287 other state municipalities. The borough said despite the 2023 increase, the borough’s membership in the cooperative had helped reduce health care costs. “Getting back into this cooperative was very important for the budget,” said Council President Wes Heyser. “Cooperatives such as this are critical because they allow us to spread risk across such a large group.” A PCHIP representative said the large increase was likely a “1 year blip.” Healthcare is provided for full-time borough employees including members of the policed department. Borough council members do not get a healthcare benefit. The borough reported that Waste Management (WM) had paid $7,500 in fines related to service lapses. The borough also reported that WM had substantially improved its services and that the the borough was no longer threatening to terminate their contract. “Substantially the service has improved,” said Heyser. “We’ve come to a fairly decent resolution with WM.” The council reported that the Gettysburg Municipal Authority was purchasing the a property at 424 E. Middle St., to be used for office space. The borough will consider adding new federal holidays to the free parking schedule. A Planning Commission meeting will be held on Oct. 17 at 7:00 p.m.

Adams County Treasurer Chris Redding addressed community leaders at the Sep. 22 Adams County Council of Governments (ACCOG) meeting, saying the county’s healthy A2+ rating for financial status reflects a joint effort of community sectors working together in a complex office with many moving parts. Redding said the treasurer’s office works with the 34 township and borough tax collectors on real estate and per-capita taxes. The office also provides thousands of licenses for hunters, sportsman, pet owners, bingo operators, and more. Redding said she is proud of the government finance team that was formed several years ago to streamline the account structures that enhance the county budget process. A former tax collector in the Straban Township for 10 years, Redding said the move towards a more digital format is a positive direction that provides the option of electronic payments to improve convenience and efficiency.  ACCOG secretary Danielle Helwig focused on National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) training. The Central Pennsylvania Emergency Management System oversees NIMS preparedness in Adams and other central counties. County Manager Steve Nevada said the training was useful and that interested community leaders could get more information from the NIMS website or by checking with their county solicitors. Nevada said typical threats include flooding, severe storms, fires, and hazardous material incidents. Response and Recovery Fund Grants Announced Adams County Commissioner Randy Phiel provided the ACCOG with information about the Adams County Response and Recovery Fund grant that will provide up to $5 million in non-repayable funding for projects that will help to alleviate the negative impact of Covid 19. He said the county’s two priorities for the grant money will be the economic impact caused by the pandemic and water and sewer projects. He encouraged interested community leaders to take advantage of learning more during the pre-application period from Oct. 1 to 23 by visiting the County website. Applications will be accepted Oct. 24 to Nov. 1. “Hopefully the pre-qualification period will help,” he added. Reminding the group that it is election year, Phiel said that the Precinct 2 voting place will return to Gettysburg College now that the school’s face-mask mandate has been lifted. He reported that the commissioners’ office has approved, for the first time in years, an increase in poll rental payments, from $45 to $100, and for poll workers, whose stipends will increase on average by about $70. Nevada asked community leaders to remind voters who wish to use mail-in ballots that they must be received by 8:00 p.m. on election day. He said if voters try to mail their ballots on election day, they will not arrive in time. The last day to register to vote is Oct. 24. Commissioner Marty Qually updated the ACCOG membership on the county broadband study that has just appointed a task force and is currently working with consultants to look at the feasibility of providing internet services to underserved areas in the county. He explained that the task force involves a “mix of leaders from different fields.” He said they would seek input from the community through surveys sent digitally, by mail, or in person. Monthly meetings open to the public will keep the community updated on the task force’s progress.  The county fire service boundary maps have been finalized, said Sherri Clayton-Williams, Director, Office of Planning and Development. “It was a huge undertaking, and we are happy to have it done.” Asked when the boroughs and municipalities will receive the new map, she said they were waiting for municipal approval but anticipated the maps would be available by the end of the year. Lori Duncan, Conewago School District business manager, asked community leaders to take the time to attend their local school district meetings. “Let’s communicate better and work together.” She said that while new housing developments may be seen as a benefit to townships and boroughs, leaders may not realize the potential burden schools face with the increase of students. She referred to aging buildings, capacity student populations, and the rising costs of education as issues that need to be jointly discussed. Justin Peart, business manager for Bermudian Springs School District, said public education has become much more challenging since the pandemic and that many problems are now magnified. “We have a bullseye on our backs with what is now happening in education. David Bolton, meeting presider, commented, “You brought a need forward. I agree, let’s work on that.” The Adams County Council of Governments meets monthly to provide a forum for the discussion of mutual interest by local government entities and to coordinate joint activities between members on an as-needed basis.  

Responding to a noticeable increase in the number of car accidents in the borough as well as repeated complaints about speeding vehicles, the Gettysburg Police Department has set up speed check points at several places. “I’m getting a lot of emails about speeding,” said Mayor Rita Frealing. Police Chief Robert Glenny said officers had been assigned to monitor traffic on 4th St. and on W. Middle St. near Hay Ave.  Glenny said there were no citations given during 4 hours of observation on 4th St. but that 9 citations and 2 verbal warnings were given along W. Middle St. in the same time period.   Glenny said speed monitoring would be continuing in the borough. Saying many drivers did not stop at the well-marked crosswalk, councilmember Matt Moon suggested the pedestrian crossing at the corner of Lefever and Baltimore Streets was another area where enforcement would be useful. Glenny said the dept. would continue with targeted enforcement. “We’re limited with our pools,” he said. Glenny said speed enforcement was made using VASCAR or ENRADD techniques, both approved speed timing devices for municipal police. The department is prohibited by state law from using RADAR. “Were’ trying to do things with the tools we have,” said Council President Wes Heyser. In other business, Borough Manager Charles Gable said collected pillow tax revenue in the borough was leveling off, but that parking revenues remained strong. Main St. Gettysburg Executive Directors Jill Sellers said 103 new commemorative bricks will be installed on the square in November.

Members of the Gettysburg Borough Council told representatives of its trash removal contractor WM on Monday evening that the company was not fulfilling its contract with the borough and that they were considering moving on with a new bid for services. The borough said WM had failed to provide receptacles in a timely manner, had failed on many occasions to pick up trash in public spaces and at residential addresses, and had not communicated with the borough and residents in a timely and accurate manner. “We’re told things and then they don’t occur,” said Council President Wes Heyser. Although the WM contract requires they be emptied on a daily basis (excluding Sundays), Heyser showed photos indicating that the receptacles around Lincoln Square had not been emptied on many dates and board member Chad-Alan Carr said receptacles in the square sometimes sat for five days without being emptied. “I don’t know how many times I’ve been lied to,” said Heyser. “We sell a tourism product. If we as a government fail to hold you accountable to this contract what we are really doing is shortchanging our residents and all of our business owners.” Heyser said the borough was frustrated due to the amount of time staff had spent dealing with the issues and that the problems did not seem to be going away. Carr and council member Judie Butterfield both said many residents had given up calling WM because of extended hold times and disconnections. Moon said the problems have been consistent.  “This has been a difficult relationship since before the jumping off point ” he said. WM said they had been hampered because the initial list of households they received from the borough was incomplete, but acknowledged some difficulties, saying they had had some customer service failures and were attempting to rectify them. WM said they were having supply chain issues and staffing issues due to Covid and that some drivers might not be familiar with the area.  “We acknowledge there have been some missed pickups, especially in the beginning due to residents not having their accounts set up,” said a WM representative. Board member Matt Moon said the staff had spent an “absurd” number of hours trying to get the situation resolved and that they borough was still not seeing the contract met. WM Asked for an opportunity to correct the issues and said they were “in a position to do better.” “If you folks can wrap this up in a way that it is restored to what it should be, that is the best possible outcome,” said Heyser. “If you’re unable to do so we’re going to move on.”

Only 3 months into its new trash collection contract with Waste Management (WM), so many problems have developed that the borough is considering canceling its contract. “I feel very comfortable we can prove they have not been responsive and responsible to our residents’ needs,” said Borough Council President Wesley Heyser. Heyser said in addition to big problems such as the failure to deliver large-scale trash compactors to deal with street trash created on Steinwehr Ave. and Lincoln Square, there was also a “laundry list of residential problems” where WM had not fulfilled its contract. Council member Chad-Alan-Carr said WM had been given many opportunities to fix the problems but had not. “We’ve given them very specific instructions:  ‘This is what you are not doing. This is the evidence you’re not doing it. Please do it.’  And they still failed. I have heard too many of our residents complain.” Heyser said WM had failed to collect street trash. “By contract the street cans are to be emptied on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday,” he said. Heyser said he had seen on Saturday mornings that the waste cans around the square were still full. “There has been a massive amount of private citizen failures,” said Heyser. “We still have people where they aren’t taking their recycling. Everyone who has residential service is doing their part.  They’re paying their bill; they’re putting their waste out; but WM isn’t doing their job.” Heyser said that unless things changed quickly the borough would terminate the contract.  He was unsure if the borough would have to rebid the contract or if it could take the second-ranked bid. “The easiest resolution would be for WM to do what they are supposed to do. But they’re not taking adequate steps to fix things,” he said. Heyser said there was a probability the borough would be sued if they broke the contract, but that he was willing to take the risk. “This is so critical to the basic operation of the community.  It’s something worth going to the mat for – that people get the services they pay for.”

The Gettysburg Borough Council heard a report from members of the Gettysburg branch of the American Exchange Project (AEP) on Monday evening.  The project sends high school seniors from around the country on visits to other cities that are different from their own for one or two weeks over the summer. Gettysburg High School chemistry teacher Kristen Bechtel introduced the visiting student from Sioux Falls South Dakota and two Gettysburg students in the program also spoke.  Each expressed enthusiasm about the opportunities to learn about different places. Public Works Director Robert Harbaugh said two big improvement projects – on South St. and on and around High St. are wrapping up. Harbaugh said there were only a few more things to finish up on the two projects. Borough Engineer Chad Clabaugh said the South St. project “was one of our more difficult designs.” The borough reported that repairs on Culp’s Run were underway and that major work on Steven’s Run in the borough was in store. The borough said 68 percent of the walls of Stevens Run need to be replaced. Police Chief Robert Glenny said the department had been busy in May with another shooting and a lockdown at Gettysburg Hospital. Glenny praised his staff and other responders for quickly apprehending a suspect in the shooting. Glenny said that in response to a right to know request a .pdf file containing a (somewhat redacted) version of police policies was available to the public on the borough website. Borough Manager Charles Gable said almost 100 percent of real estate taxes had already been collected and that the borough “stands to be in a fairly healthy financial situation.” Darren Glass has been appointed to the Zoning Hearing Board to serve the remainder of Larry Weikert’s term through Jan. 2025. Paul Witt was appointed to the Historical Architecture Review Board to replace James McCabe through August 2024. Main Street Gettysburg Executive Officer Jill Sellers thanked Keller Williams for helping the borough with a cleanup day. “They got down and dirty on behalf of the historic district,” she said. Sellers said volunteers were needed at the David Wills House.

“The park looks great, everything is just packed – there are people everywhere,” said Gettysburg Area Recreational Authority (GARA) board member Jimmy Phelps responding to the recent heavy use of the Gettysburg rec park. Board members said they could not recall a time in the last few years where all 5 baseball fields have been used this consistently. “Baseball is all year now,” said GARA Executive Director Erin Peddigree. Peddigree said scheduling all 15 baseball teams had been difficult. In the coming months the board will consider ways to problem solve the growth in the programs by considering options like portable pitchers’ mounds and multiple length field conversions. “We have a lot of shimmying and shaking,” said Peddigree. To keep up with caring for the park’s 53 acres which currently need to be mowed three times per week, GARA recently purchased a zero-turn mower and a bush trimmer. The board is also hoping to purchase a tractor for snow plowing, a work “gator” truck, and a golf cart. The purchases have been made with Covid-related funds from Gettysburg Borough. Peddigree said many local schools from the area have been renting the pavilions and tour buses have also been using the park. Weekend baseball and softball tournaments and events area also popular. GARA continues to look for grant money to update the baseball fields. Peddigree said Little League has a 10 year contract with the rec park that expires in 2025. “It’s great to see kids playing baseball again, it’s fun to come out here and see the parks so busy. It’s important to make sure that all the kids can get out there and play, having time for all of the kids to practice,” said board member Robin Fitzpatrick. Peddigree said the Adams County Library Fun Fest was returning to the park on June 10, a Juneteenth celebration will be held on June 19, and July 4 preparations were continuing. Peddigree said there was over $168,000 in savings. “Budget-wise we’re doing OK,” she said.

Amanda Berg / For Spotlight PA Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan newsroom powered by The Philadelphia Inquirer in partnership with PennLive/The Patriot-News, TribLIVE/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and WITF Public Media. Sign up for our free newsletters. HARRISBURG — Doug Mastriano is the projected winner of Pennsylvania’s Republican primary for governor, defeating a crowded field in a high-stakes race that will shape the state’s future. Unofficial election results show Mastriano, a state senator from Franklin County, with 43% of the vote as of Tuesday at 10 p.m. The Associated Press called the race with an estimated 50% of the votes counted. In November, Mastriano will face Democrat Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvania’s current attorney general who faced no opposition from members of his party. Mastriano emerged from a crowded GOP field of nine candidates who have spent the past several months crisscrossing the state to rally support among party elites and the rank-and-file alike. In the leadup to May 17, establishment Republicans attempted to stop Mastriano from winning, fearful that his rhetoric would drive away moderates in the general election. Two candidates dropped out and endorsed former U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta (R., Pa.), who often placed second in the polls. Other top contenders, such as former U.S. prosecutor Bill McSwain and Delaware County business owner Dave White, resisted calls to back down. At stake in November is the governor’s mansion, open because incumbent Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf is term-limited from running again. As the state’s chief executive, the next governor will have the power to sign into law — or block — changes regarding marijuana, voting rights, property taxes, and abortion. The governor also presents a spending plan each year that proposes how billions in tax dollars are used, directs state agencies to take far-reaching regulatory actions on the environment and public health, and oversees tens of thousands of state employees, from public benefits caseworkers to correctional officers. A bombastic speaker who sprinkles his stump speeches with historical and Biblical references, Mastriano, a retired Army colonel and Gulf War veteran, is a favorite among grassroots conservatives and evangelicals. He appeared at or near the top of polls before the primary, despite raising just $1.6 million since the start of 2021 — near the bottom of the nine-person GOP field. Much of that total came from small individual donations, while potato roll magnate Jim Martin gave more than $100,000. First elected to the state Senate in a 2019 special election, Mastriano started his time in Harrisburg as a conservative backbencher, best known for sharing Islamophobic memes on his campaign Facebook account and sponsoring a six-week abortion ban. His profile began its meteoric rise in 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the world. At first, he appeared somewhat supportive of mitigation efforts — even proposing legislation that would let public health officials release the names of people who tested positive for the coronavirus. But after a few weeks of lockdowns — ordered by the Wolf administration to prevent hospitals from becoming overwhelmed — Mastriano began railing against Wolf in daily Facebook videos and later at Capitol rallies opposing the pandemic response. Those videos and events earned him a dedicated fandom that, by the summer of 2020, was calling for him to run for governor. At first, Mastriano downplayed his ambitions, telling two evangelical podcasters with ties to the QAnon conspiracy theory that he’d only run if he received “God’s calling, the people … compel us to go forth, and we have the resources.” In since-deleted tweets, Mastriano used QAnon phrases, and was twice scheduled to appear at a conference with the podcasters. He backed out in 2021 after news reports highlighted the event’s ties to the conspiracy theory, which claims that global elites and Democrats engage in Satanic behavior, but he appeared at an event organized by the podcasters last month. Mastriano has also played a leading role in echoing former President Donald Trump’s baseless claims of election fraud. After the November 2020 presidential contest, Mastriano conflated mail ballot totals from the primary and general elections to falsely claim more had been returned than requested. He also claimed it was “mathematically impossible that three out of four ballots would go for one person” when mail ballots, disproportionately requested by Democrats, began to be tallied. Mastriano has won his own legislative elections by similar margins. To amplify these claims as well as Trump’s false allegations of widespread voter fraud, Mastriano hosted a taxpayer-funded meeting at a Gettysburg hotel marked by “mostly false, misleading, and mistaken testimony,” according to an analysis of the testimony by The Caucus. Mastriano’s fight to overturn President Joe Biden’s election win culminated on Jan. 6, 2021, when he booked buses to bring supporters to Washington, D.C. for the Trump rally that preceded the insurrection. At the time, Mastriano claimed he didn’t cross police lines or enter the U.S. Capitol, but video later emerged that showed him moving with the mob past those barriers. He has been subpoenaed by the congressional committee investigating Jan. 6, which said in February that Mastriano “was part of a plan to arrange for an ‘alternate’ slate of electors from Pennsylvania for former President Trump and reportedly spoke with President Trump about post-election activities.” Overall, Mastriano has pushed back on any questions about his past actions or who he associates with, part of his broader antipathy to the mainstream press. “I resent the fact that you want to castigate anyone who went down to Washington, D.C. on Jan. 6 as some kind of enemy of the public,” Mastriano said in an interview with the conservative-leaning Delaware Valley Journal this month. “That is dangerous. You’re talking like an East German there.” Since Jan. 6, Mastriano has continued to focus on unproven election fraud. He was originally tapped to lead the state Senate’s investigation into the 2020 election but feuded with Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman (R., Centre) over the scope, direction, and speed of the effort. In response, Corman removed Mastriano from his leadership role and gave it to a colleague. Along with his Trumpian election rhetoric, Mastriano has proposed bills that would repeal no-excuse mail voting — which he voted for in 2019 — ban vaccine mandates, and regulate social media companies. He also supports banning on abortion with no exceptions, as well as expanding natural gas drilling and access to private schools and charter schools using taxpayer funds. He has promised that as governor he would issue executive orders on his first day in office to ban “critical race theory” — a concept often taught in law schools that has become a catchall term for curriculum on racism — and to bar trans women from playing women’s sports. He has also suggested he would deploy the Pennsylvania National Guard to Philadelphia to fight crime “as a last recourse.” Shapiro, who has held elected office at the local or state level for the past two decades, ran unopposed in this year’s primary. Long considered a rising star in Pennsylvania’s Democratic circles, Shapiro has campaigned on his record of tackling corporate corruption, advancing LGBTQ-friendly policies, and championing abortion rights and voter and worker protections. As attorney general, he made international headlines in 2018 when his office released a scathing grand jury report that exposed how nearly every Catholic diocese in the state engaged in a decades-long cover-up of child sexual abuse by clergy. The investigation was repeatedly described as the nation’s most sweeping inquiry into sexual abuse of children in the Catholic Church. It involved more than 1,000 victims, 301 “preedator” priests, and dozens in the church hierarchy who knew about the abuse but buried it to shield the institution. Shapiro’s time as attorney general has also been marked by his legal fights against some of the Trump administration’s high-profile policy changes, including efforts to roll back the Affordable Care Act’s birth control coverage mandate. Along with other attorneys general around the country, Shapiro negotiated a multibillion dollar settlement with a major pharmaceutical manufacturer and distributors over their role in fueling the nationwide opioid crisis. Pennsylvania’s share of the settlement stands at $1 billion, money that’s to be used for opioid remediation programs and initiatives. Shapiro began his career in government in the 1990s, working for a member of Congress and two senators in Washington, D.C. He was elected to Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives in 2004, where he served four terms representing parts of Montgomery County in the Philadelphia suburbs. In 2011, he won a seat on Montgomery County’s Board of Commissioners in a year when Democrats took control over the three-member panel for the first time in the county’s history. He was elected attorney general in 2016 and again in 2020 for a second, four-year term. In announcing his candidacy for governor last year, Shapiro, who has built a reputation as a tireless campaigner and prolific fundraiser, quickly cleared the field — despite some talk early on that he would be challenged by a more progressive Democrat. Running unopposed gave him an instant advantage over the crowded, nine-way primary field of GOP contenders. He has amassed more than $20 million in campaign contributions since the start of 2021, eclipsing fundraising on the Republican side. He is entering the post-primary landscape with nearly $16 million on hand, largely because he was not forced to spend his war chest edging out competitors. Other results Contentious races for an open U.S. Senate seat were also on the ballot Tuesday. John Fetterman, the state’s current lieutenant governor, defeated three other Democrats for his party’s nod. The Associated Press called the race less than two hours after polls closed Tuesday. Fetterman had a pacemaker implanted on Election Day after he suffered a stroke last week. As of 10 p.m. Tuesday, the Associated Press had yet to declare a Republican winner. The crowded field is being led by former hedge fund CEO Dave McCormick and celebrity surgeon Mehmet Oz. WHILE YOU’RE HERE… If you learned something from this story, pay it forward and become a member of Spotlight PA so someone else can in the future at spotlightpa.org/donate. Spotlight PA is funded by foundationsand readers like you who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results.

After a meeting in which several council members said they had made up their minds after hearing from constituents who opposed the idea, the Gettysburg Borough Council voted on Monday against the idea of allowing the outdoor consumption of alcohol. The vote was 4 to 3, with councilmembers Matt Moon, Patti Lawson, and Chad-Alan Carr voting in favor. The plan had been to have an 8 month pilot test around Lincoln Square, but some councilmembers said the idea was unworkable and could cause problems. Moon and Carr said most people they had heard from were positive about the idea and that they had received a petition from over 60 local residents who favored the plan. Councilmember Patti Lawson said she thought the proposal would help tourism and that she had talked to a police officer in Carlisle who said the similar ordinance enacted there had caused no problems that he was aware of. “I don’t see a reason to not give it a shot,” she said. Carr noted the plan was only for a short pilot program that could be ended immediately if problems ensued. Before voting against the proposal, councilmembers Judie Butterfield and John Lawver said people they had heard from were opposed.  Council President Wes Heyser said there were likely to be problems with enforcement. “I’m against this.  I’ll be voting ‘no’,” said Councilmember Chris Berger. “I don’t see open containers in the square as being a part of a vision of what Gettysburg is about.” Police Chief Robert Glenny and Major Rita Frealing also spoke against the idea before the vote. “I’m against anything that eases the availability of alcohol,” said Glenny. “I foresee issues of additional public drunkenness, underage (drinking), and calls for people going outside the designated area. I foresee litter. I am generally opposed to the open containers,” he said.

The Adams County Commissioners have proclaimed May 1 – 7, 2022 as Corrections Employee Week. Warden Katy Hileman used the occasion to talk about the role of corrections officers at the Adams County Adult Correctional Complex (ACACC), thanking the employees for their professionalism, integrity, and perseverance in the face of a difficult and at times challenging work environment.” Hileman said the officers served as role models and rule enforcers in less-than-ideal settings, where they worked to gain respect and trust to provide a safe and secure environment Hileman said not every negative event at the jail could be prevented and that there had been some negative incidents, but that the public should not forget the difficulty of the work or the overall success of the staff in presenting problems. “Staff are not able to prevent all negative occurrences at the jail, regardless of years of experience, well-written policy and procedure, and unwavering dedication to the job,” said Hileman. “The stress, uncertainty, and continuation of a global pandemic has caused an increase in many of the tracked incident areas that corrections professionals focus on. There has been an increase in mental health issues, including suicide attempts.” Hileman said that in 2021, there were a total of 10,073 “extraordinary occurrence” reports submitted to the PA Dept. of Corrections and a total of 72 of these, or 0.71% were submitted due to incidents at the ACACC. She said that statewide there were a total of 331 in-custody suicide attempts in county jails across the Commonwealth, with two of those occurring in Adams County. Out of a total of 58 in-custody deaths in the PA County jail system in 2021, zero deaths occurred in Adams County. Hileman said that although she is a proponent of data, she realizes they don’t tell the whole story. “Data does not capture the correctional officer who got a bad feeling in their gut and went back to double check on an inmate on suicide watch. The data doesn’t tell you that a correctional officer who was assaulted by an inmate had hundreds of positive, nonthreatening interactions with that inmate previously,” she said “I ask that everyone take a minute to remember the days when things go right. Not the few times that things do not go as planned,” she said. Hileman said the officers’ jobs were much different than what is typically seen in the media. “Correctional officers are some of the most profession, conscientious, and effective that I’ve had the pleasure of leading,” she said. “I am proud of these fine men and women.”  We are thrilled to have you hear today,” said Commissioner Randy Phiel to Hileman. “We don’t get around as much as we should to visit you personally. Operating in the environment we’ve had for the past couple years makes it even more difficult.” Phiel recognized the need for more staff at the jail. “We’re trying like crazy,” he said. “We’re trying different things. We’re trying billboards. We’re trying to get there.” “It’s a special moment. It’s a challenging job that takes a special individual. We appreciate the hard work you do to allow the correctional facility to function properly,” said Commissioner Jim Martin. “I could not imagine working with the people you work with. They are not in the best position in their lives,” said Commissioner Mary Qually.  Qually noted that unlike police and fire officers, the public does not get a chance to interact with correctional officers. “It’s a tough job,” he said. The commissioners also proclaimed May 2022 as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month A spokeswoman from a local motorcycle group reminded drivers to “Watch for us; Look twice; save a life.” Phiel pointed out that the group also does charity work in Adams County, and would present a check to local charities on Saturday. Other decisions made by the commissioners include the following, from the meeting agenda. Courts: Recommendation from Laura Rowland, Deputy Court Administrator, and after review by Solicitor Molly Mudd, that the Board of Commissioners designate Chairman Randy L. Phiel to sign the Billing Authorization Sheet with ASL Services of York, PA for sign language interpreting services. It is further recommended that the Board sign the Addendum to ASL’s Policy and Rate Summary, which incorporates the County’s standard terms and conditions into the Agreement. The Billing Authorization Sheet is effective April 1, 2022. The County will be charged at an hourly rate of $85.00. Information Technology: Recommendation from Phil Walter, CIO, in coordination with Court Administrator Don Fennimore and Security Director Mark Masemer, and after review by Solicitor Molly Mudd, that the Board of Commissioners designate Chairman Randy L. Phiel to sign the following Quotes from Link Computer Corporation, of Bellwood, PA. All three Quotes are made pursuant to Co-stars Contract #003-040 and are for one-year terms, commencing on July 31, 2022 and terminating on July 30, 2023. Total cost to the County is $16,108.00: Quote #1016338 for nine (9) Meraki MR Enterprise Cloud Controller Licenses, which enables the County to operate its Internal Wireless Access Points, and 600 Meraki Systems Manager Enterprise Device Licenses; Quote #1016335 for one (1) Meraki MR Enterprise Cloud Controller License, which will enable the Court to operate its Internal Wireless Access Point in the Jury Assembly Room; and Quote #1016365 for two (2) Meraki Enterprise Licenses and Support, which enables monitoring of Sach’s Covered Bridge with security cameras. Quote # 1016021 with Link Computer Corporation, an authorized reseller of Cisco, Inc. products. The Quote renews three (3) licenses for the Webex video conferencing software including the Commissioners’ Office, Adult Correctional Complex, and the Register & Recorder’s Office.                                                                           Total cost of the 3 licenses is $924.00 ($308 per license). Pricing is made pursuant to Costars Contract #003- 040. The licenses shall be effective June 23, 2022 for a one (1) year term. It is additionally recommended that the Board approve Cisco’s End User License Agreement, effective concurrently with the licenses. Tax Services Recommendation from Daryl Crum, Director, to approve the 2022 Tax Claim Bureau Repository for Unsold Properties purchaser and price recommendations as provided to the Board of Commissioners on March 24, 2022. Upon approval of these seven properties, the Tax Claim Bureau will seek approvals from the other associated taxing bodies prior to their actual transfers. The agreed upon purchase prices will then be multiplied by the current Common Level Ratio to arrive at a new assessed value for each. Planning Department: Recommendation from Sherri Clayton-Williams, Director, and after review by Solicitor Molly R. Mudd, that the Board of Commissioners approve the following: Letter Amendment to the Open-End Agreement #521155 (eff. July 1, 2016) with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, through the PA Department of Transportation. This Amendment extends the termination date of the Agreement from June 30, 2022 to December 31, 2022. All other terms and conditions remain the same. The Amendment is effective on the date last signed by the parties. It is additionally recommended that the Board approve Resolution No. 5 of 2022 verifying that the Board has authority to execute the Amendment and any Work Orders submitted under the Open-End Agreement. Electronic Access Agreement For Pennsylvania Crash Information Tool with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, through the PA Department of Transportation (“PennDOT”). The Agreement provides the County access to PennDOT’s data on accident frequency histories and site/route-specific accident information in its PA Crash Information Tool (“PCIT”) database, allowing the County to analyze historical safety trends on roadways within the County. This Agreement is effective on the date authorized by PennDOT and shall terminate upon notice by either party. No additional cost to the County. 2020 Emergency Solutions Grant – CV – Recommendation from Harlan Lawson, Economic Development Specialist, and after review by Solicitor Molly R. Mudd, to approve the requested budget modification for the 2020 ESG-CV Grant, Contract #C000074136 to re-allocate a total of $64,202.00 – $31,000.00 from Rapid Rehousing Financial Assistance Services and $33,202.00 from Homelessness Prevention Services to Emergency Shelter Operations & Essential Services. The total ESC-CV grant budget of $340,732.00 will remain unchanged. And for the Board of Commissioners to further adopt Resolution No. 6 of 2022, authorizing the filing of an amended proposal for Emergency Solutions Grant Funds with the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development Department of Emergency Services: Recommendation from Warren Bladen, Director and after review by Solicitor Molly Mudd, that the Board of Commissioners approve the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania State Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Radiation Emergency Response Fund Grant Agreement C950003096 between the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) and Adams County. This Agreement provides for a grant award of $16,948.00, to be used for equipment and supplies, planning, and miscellaneous items necessary for the development of improved emergency response capabilities in the event of radiological accidents or incidents at Pennsylvania’s nuclear power plants. The term of this Agreement is July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023. No County match is required. Adams County Adult Correctional Complex: Recommendation from Warden Katy Hileman, and after review by Solicitor Molly Mudd, that the Board of Commissioners approve the following: Ratify 2022 Billable Labor Rates and Confirmation of Acceptance with Cornerstone Detention Products of Garner, North Carolina for emergency repair of security doors at the Prison. Hourly rates range from $195.00/hour for a Service Technician to $560.00/hour for an Applications Engineer. Cost to the County to be determined by the amount of repair hours needed to bring the doors back online. Designate Chairman Randy L. Phiel to sign the Terms of Agreement with Professional Systems Engineering, LLC, of Lansdale, PA, for performance of an assessment of the Prison’s internal and external security systems and preparation of a Recommendations Report. The Terms of Agreement go into effect on May 4, 2022. Total cost to the County is $17,300.00. Recommendation from Solicitor Molly R. Mudd, that the Board of Commissioners approve the following: Ordinance No. 2 of 2022 – An Ordinance providing for Tax Exemption for certain improvements to designated deteriorated areas pursuant to Pennsylvania Acts No. 42 of 1977 and 76 of 1977, defining certain exempt property, providing for an exemption period and establishing a schedule of percentage exemption for that time period. This Ordinance, which applies to the Berlin Junction project, was fully advertised in The Gettysburg Times on Friday, April 22, 2022 and is consistent with Oxford Township and Conewago Valley School District approvals. Personnel Report: Court: Magistrate Harvey’s Office – Employment of Daphne Reid, General Clerk, effective May 2, 2022 Magistrate Beauchat’s Office – Separation of employment of Tamara Gail Boyd, General Clerk, effective May 5, 2022 Clerk of Courts: Employment of Skyler Stremmel, Deputy Clerk 3-Collections Clerk, effective May 2, 2022, pending successful completion of all pre-employment screenings Department of Emergency Services: Employment of Noah Green, Telecommunicator, effective April 25, 2022 Unpaid Internship: Children & Youth Services – Madison Kohler, effective May 10, 2022 through May 2023 Public Defender – Charlie Mirsky, effective May 30, 2022 through August 1, 2022 Separation of Employment with permission to post: Clerk of Courts – Sadrac Ramirez Esquivel, Court Information Specialist, is transferring to the Victim Witness Department, effective May 9, 2022; and Heather Wetzel is being promoted from Deputy Clerk 3-Juvenile/New Case Clerk to Court Information Specialist, effective May 9, 2022 Tekoa Capps, Casework 2, Children & Youth Services, effective May 31, 2022 Alex Staub, Corrections Officer Trainee, effective May 6, 2022 Kenya Hardy, Corrections Officer Trainee, effective May 13, 2022 Expenditures: Approve the following expenditures for the period April 18, 2022 through April 29, 2022: General Fund Total                              $ 1,682,511.63 General Fund $     595,590.59 Pcard Payment $       13,185.25 Payroll – Week #17 $ 1,073,735.79   Children & Youth Services   $     225,423.98 HazMat Fund $            108.89 Commissary Fund $            329.56 Records Management $         3,155.00 Hotel Tax Fund $       72,329.75 Human Services $         1,632.00 Capital Project-Reserve $       15,740.00 Capital Projects $     371,503.80 911 Fund $     113,571.16 Internal Service Fund $     300,920.25

Gettysburg Borough contracts with a waste hauler to provide both trash removal and recycling services to the residents of the Borough. The previous waste hauling contract expired on March 31, 2022 – with the new contract beginning on April 1, 2022. In anticipation of the contract expiration date, Gettysburg Borough issued a request for proposals (RFP) in late 2021, asking waste haulers to submit pricing for myriad waste management services to Gettysburg Borough. The Borough is required by law to award a new contract to the ‘lowest, responsive, and responsible’ bidder. Of the two waste hauling companies that placed bids on the contract (Waste Connections and Waste Management(WM)), it was WM that provided the ‘lowest, responsive, and responsible’ proposal. As such, borough council, consistent with the laws governing the letting of contracts, awarded the waste hauler contract to WM on February 14, 2022.  In January 2022, in anticipation of the the contract being awarded to WM, senior borough staff and a representative of borough council met with senior management officials of WM to specifically discuss and plan for the transition from Waste Connections to WM. Each point noted in the linked agenda below was discussed at length, with each borough staff member being satisfied that WM had a complete understanding of the borough’s expectations. WM staff provided assurances that the transition would be smooth and seamless. Many residents in Gettysburg have reported that the transition has been anything but smooth and seamless. The borough asks you to take a few moments to describe your experience with WM so the borough has documentation of the multiple service shortfalls attributed to WM during this transitional period. Please follow this link (click here) to be directed to the form.

The Gettysburg Area Recreational Authority (GARA) will purchase a new zero-turn mower, a tractor for dragging baseball fields and snow removal, and a utility vehicle for moving dirt and mulch using $52,000 given to them by the Gettysburg Borough Council. The GARA board of directors authorized Executive Director Erin Peddigree to purchase the equipment on a case to case basis when she could find a good price. “Strike while the iron is hot to get a good deal,” said Board President Steve Niebler Peddigree said new fencing had been installed around the storage area and that new soft drink machines had been installed at the Sterner Building and at the south end of the park. The rec park is also receiving 10 picnic tables donated by Straban Township. Peddigree said GARA will apply for funds to purchase and install a swing set and workout station from the PA Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources in 2023 and will also apply for a grant to rebuild the south end restrooms, making them handicap accessible. The board agreed after some discussion that the hours of operation of the rec park should remain between sunrise and sunset. New signs will be installed with this information. Peddigree said she would meet with Gettysburg Police Chief Robert Glenny to discuss electric skateboards in the park. Peddigree said about 600 children and 4 food trucks had attended the Easter Egg Hunt held earlier in the month.

Saying all children deserve to have a safe, stable, nurturing home and communities that foster their healthy growth and development, and noting the county’s 1,343 incidents of alleged child abuse or neglect in 2021, the Adams County Commissioners proclaimed April 2022 as Child Abuse and Neglect Protection Month. The proclamation said child abuse prevention is a community responsibility and that finding solutions depends on the involvement of all people. The proclamation thanked the county’s children and youth staff saying they are “dedicated to working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year to protect these children, our greatest resource, as they are the future of our county and our community.” Commissioner Jim Martin said the county’s child care workers were “underappreciated and undervalued, especially this year. “You are heroes,” he said, “None of us want to live and function where child abuse continues. You’ve made gains for our community. The children are our next society. We look at you as a golden nugget in our community.” The commissioners also proclaimed April 2nd as the 75th Anniversary of the Establishment of Adams County Conservation District. Conservation District Manager Adam McClain thanked the commissioners for their support and reviewed some history of the conservation district. Even in 1947, we were “leading by example,” he said. McClain said the county relied on voluntary conservation policies and had made substantial contributions through the use of erosion inspections and erosion plans, tree distributions, improved road surfaces, mosquito control, tire collections, and the development of waterways and terraces. “We measure conservation in miles,” he said. Commissioner Jim Martin said he had been on the conservation district board. “Thanks to your conservation efforts I think there’s been a marked improvement in our waterways,” he said.  The commissioners also approved a proposal presented by county prothonotary Beverly Boyd to lend the “Register of Negroes and Mulattoes 1800-1818” to the Adams County Historical Society (ACHS) for the purpose of display and education to county residents and tourists. Boyd said the records include birth dates and locations for children born into slavery and that the records had been recorded by the county to allow the freeing of the children from slavery at age 28. “Our history is our nation’s testimony. Artifacts are needed to teach these important lessons. A picture is worth 1000 words,” she said. ACHS Executive Director Andrew Dalton thanked the county, saying “This is an important chapter in our history.  Not necessarily a bright chapter.” More commissioner approvals are shown in the meeting’s agenda. The next commissioners’ meeting will be held on April 20 at 9:00 a.m. in the Adams County Courthouse.

Gettysburg Borough will apply for $11.4 million in grant funds for upgrades in stormwater management, pedestrian safety, business and handicap access, and increases in public space to Baltimore St., the Lincoln Square, and areas around it. If received, the grant would create one of the largest capital improvement projects in the borough’s history. The funds would come from a U.S. Department of Transportation’s $1.5 billion Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant made possible by a bipartisan infrastructure law passed in 2021. The program helps communities around the country carry out projects with significant local or regional impact. The borough said sidewalks were failing in parts of the square, that water and ice regularly pools in low spots, and that there were many ways to make the square safer and more pedestrian friendly. “There’s a lot of opportunity for people to use and interact with that space,” said Planning, Zoning, and Code Enforcement Director Carly Marshall. The grant request will be a resubmission of a prior RAISE grant submitted by the borough that was rejected. The borough said it was not unusual that the first round of an application would be rejected and that the project had received a very positive rating from the review committee.  The borough said a steering committee of over 80 people had already given input on the project and that more public comment would be requested before the project begins. The revised proposal includes the original funds requested for updating the Baltimore Ave. corridor and the area around the Transit Center and an addition of about $2 million in new funds for the Gettysburg Square project and for increased costs due to inflation. The state is expected to contribute matching funds. Public Consumption of Alcohol Zone(s) Taking into consideration concerns raised by residents and leaders of local organizations about its potential negative consequences, including increased alcohol consumption, availability of alcohol to minors, and litter, the council will move forward on creating a trial run of open container areas around the Gettysburg Square. Borough Manager Charles Gable said he had asked administrators from Carlisle Borough about their policy which is similar to the one Gettysburg is planning. He said they reported no pushback from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board and no uptick in police calls. Carlisle will be providing more statistics for Gettysburg to review.  The borough is likely to have a test period before a final ordinance is drafted and noted the policy can be changed or rescinded anytime if problems arise. The council said that the way alcohol is served has changed over the past years with cideries, breweries, and wineries now being the main providers of alcohol. Details are still to be worked out including enforcement, affected areas, and hours of operation. Events Center Zoning Proposal The borough will move forward on creating a new zoning use for events centers. The change is the result of a request for an event center on High St. The borough carefully discussed the issue and spent over an hour at their Monday work session considering issues that would be important, including the definition of an event center, lot and building sizes, tent sizes, setbacks, screenings, and outdoor toilet locations. The borough again encouraged public to reach out with their thoughts about these proposals. The next borough council meeting will be April 11 at 7:00 p.m.

The Gettysburg Area Recreational Authority (GARA) Board of Directors has made plans for a fireworks event to be held on July 4. The event is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m. and extend into the evening. On the agenda are 15 food trucks, bingo sponsored by local fire departments, live music, and of course fireworks. The park also plans to host alcohol vendors in a roped-off area. Ploughman Cider, Halbrendt Winery, and Fourscore Beer Company are schedule as vendors. GARA is looking for sponsors for the event. GARA is looking for a maintenance person to replace Steve Williams who is retiring. Hours and salary will be determined. Interested parties should contact Erin Peddigree at (717) 334-2028. GARA will donate $50 to the Gettysburg College Orange & Blue Club in memory of past GARA president Jack Bream who died in February. Executive Director Erin Peddigree said GARA had received about $52,500 in Covid-related funds from Gettysburg Borough which would be used to purchase a new zero turn lawn mower, a utility vehicle, and to repair some of the restrooms. Peddigree reported on the audit of 2021 fiscal year finances with a total revenue of about $218,000 and total expenses of about $210,000. “It was a pretty good year for us,” she said. “We have zero debt.” Peddigree said activity was strong at the park. “We’ve been getting a lot of assembly room reservations.  Everyone’s happy to get back inside, she said.” Peddigree said there was a huge demand for little league this year with over 160 children and 15 teams hoping to play. “They’re struggling to figure out how to do it this the year. We’re trying to help them out.” she said. Peddigree said the demand was in part because Little League had been cancelled at other locations in the county.  Peddigree said she would reach out to Straban Township for help finding available baseball fields. Little League opens on April 9. In other news: Water will be turned on for the restrooms and the dog park in the next week or two Weikert field is being repainted A new bicycle repair station will be installed near the Susan Naugle bridge in the next weeks Coldsmith Roofing Inc. will donate the use of a lift to repair baseball field lights The mural near the football field will be updated The Adams County Library Funfest will be held on June 10

Gettysburg Borough reported this week that tax revenues have almost returned to pre-pandemic levels. “The visitation and tourism in Gettysburg have really rebounded quite well in the second half of 2021,” said Borough Manager Charles Gable.  Gable said 2022 revenues are also looking good. The borough said an application for zoning changes that requested allowing vacation rentals in the institutional zoning district has been withdrawn. Council member Chad-Alan Carr spoke frankly to the public about issues of concern to him, by suggesting the public should contact their borough representatives if they have opinions about parklets or other borough business. “If the public has an opinion on parklets, whether they’re for it or against it, it does absolutely no good to just post it on Facebook,” he said. encouraging residents to watch the videos of the council meetings if they cannot attend.  The meeting videos are posted on the Community Media of South Central PA website. reminding people to be patient at local restaurants given the difficulty they are having finding staff. “Every restaurant in Gettysburg is hiring,” he said. emphasizing the importance (and legal requirement) of picking up dog waste. “Do your job; do your part,” he said. Projects moving forward in the borough include: The new welcome center on Baltimore St. The 2022 Christmas Festival A new app that will use GPS to allow people to locate tribute bricks on the square by name Plans for America250PA A proposal to make parklets a permanent part of downtown. South St. reconstruction, expected to be completed by July 4. The High St. gas line project. A grant proposal requesting state funds to provide mobile security barriers for parade routes New ways to save money on police officer hours and overtime Featured image: Councilmember Judie Butterfield talks about recycling initiatives.

Gettysburg Borough Council President Wesley Heyser said that although the borough had routinely run a budget surplus over the past years, there had nevertheless been “significant overruns in personnel spending, significantly in overtime.” “I was shocked when we got to budget season and I realized how much we were going over. I don’t really want to be here in this circumstance, but when I look at the expenditures year after year we have to be,” he said. Heyser said the borough was in the process of creating a comprehensive method for dealing with the issue because it does not currently have a mechanism for sharing spending information with the council. The council said it would develop benchmarks and metrics for tracking spending. The policies would be in place for all departments, but the focus is on police spending. Police Chief Robert Glenny expressed frustration with the borough’s accounting. Glenny said he was trying to save money but that there were contractual obligations that required overtime pay. Glenny said he was unsure why the full-time staff payroll was over budget. “I am the only department head that runs a 24/7/365 organization. I track these things; I bring them to my supervisor; I bring them to the manager,” he said. “I have tracked overtime for 2 years. I know where we’re spending it. The very things I pointed to for a guide are not accurate,” he said. Councilmember Matt Moon said the council understood the “practical reality” facing the police and said the borough was looking for more transparency in the budgeting process. “We would be requiring to know staff scheduling ahead of time. We’d like the time cards to reflect the hours worked so we can get a better sense of what’s going on in these departments,” said Moon. Glenny said not all police schedules were made public. “There’s bad people out there who try to gauge when policemen are working,” he said Moon said the council would create a way to link payroll with budgeting. “We’re going to come up with a tool as a team. The goal is not to create more work for the staff,” he said. “I probably interact with the police more than many and I did not know for months that we had an on-duty injury. There is no question that the borough has the right to set policy.  We work in a budget that’s based in dollars. In the end of the day the council is the body that’s responsible to taxpayers. We’re having difficulty achieving that responsibility,” said Heyser. Borough Manager Charles Gable said part of the problem was related to vacation payouts at the end of the year that occur when employees are not afforded the time to take the vacations they have been afforded.  Gable said the council makes their budgets assuming officers would take vacation during the year, but then has to pay out with a “cash equivalent” for officers who did not use their vacations. Heyser said the council would reconsider the issue after collecting more information at a March meeting. The next regularly scheduled borough council meeting will be on Monday March 14 at 7:00 p.m. in the borough office.

Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PA This article is part of a yearlong reporting project focused on redistricting and gerrymandering in Pennsylvania. It is made possible by the support of Spotlight PA members and Votebeat, a project focused on election integrity and voting access. HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has selected a new congressional map that closely resembles the current one, with Democrats and Republicans each expected to win roughly half of the state’s 17 districts. In an order released Wednesday, the Democrat-controlled high court picked a proposal submitted by the Carter petitioners, a group of Pennsylvania voters who brought a lawsuit asking the state courts to take over the congressional redistricting process. The state Supreme Court agreed to take over the highly consequential process in early February, just weeks after Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed a map sent to him by Republicans. The five-page order does not explain the court’s reasoning. It notes that Justice Debra Todd, a Democrat, and the court’s two Republicans — Justices Sallie Updyke Mundy and Kevin Brobson — dissented to the selection of the Carter plan. The state Supreme Court also announced Wednesday it will not move the date of the May 17 primary, opting instead to adjust some of the deadlines for candidates. The Carter map is as similar as possible to the current congressional map, with nearly 90% of residents staying in the same district. Attorney Matthew Gorden told the court last Friday that this approach of “least change” should be valued over other considerations. Gorden said the map was guided by that principle and not motivated by partisan intentions. “We don’t have visibility into why most of the other maps ended up where they did,” he said. “We do for the Carter map.” This story will be updated. WHILE YOU’RE HERE… If you learned something from this story, pay it forward and become a member of Spotlight PA so someone else can in the future at spotlightpa.org/donate. Spotlight PA is funded by foundationsand readers like you who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results.

The borough will hold a mandatory public hearing on Monday, March 28 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss a potential zoning change that would allow vacation rentals as a right in the borough’s institutional zoning districts. The next borough E-Cycling event is scheduled for March 19, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Those wishing to drop off unwanted electronic equipment must make prior reservations. Contact Judie Butterfield at jbfd@comcast.net or 717-337-0724. Gettysburg Borough announced on Monday that the residential solid waste and recycling provider will change to Waste Management Inc. (WM) as of April 1. Borough Manager Charles Gable said WM was the lowest, responsive, responsible bidder, winning out over Waste Connections which has provided service over the past 8 years. The new contract runs for 3 years with an option to renew for a fourth. The borough said WM will be in touch with local residents about the switchover. The council reminded residents they are required to recycle and should put out their recyclable materials for pickup. “You’re financially harming the borough by not recycling,”  said Gable. Council member Judie Butterfield noted that recycling in the borough is single stream, allowing people to put all of their recycling in one bin, recycling was not difficult in the Borough: “We have it easy,” she said. “There are other communities in this area that have to sort out their recycling.” In other news: The South Street renovation project is continuing, with new garden walls being constructed in the next week. Construction on the Shippensburg Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine Building Project has begun at the corner of Water and 4th Streets. The borough unanimously approved new fixed-rate pricing for parades in the borough. Council member Chad-Alan Carr abstained on the vote, citing a conflict of interest. Main Street Gettysburg CEO Jill Sellers said the county had begun working on the 250th anniversary event and that public comment was welcomed. Police Chief Robert Glenny said the borough was in the process of updating its skateboard policy to deal with fast and dangerous electric skateboards that have appeared on borough sidewalks.

The Gettysburg Area School District Board of Directors heard the results of the official audit of their 2020-21 spending year at their meeting on Monday. The auditor, Krista Gardner from Smith Elliott Kearns & Company, LLC, said her company had reviewed all sections of the school’s finances including federal grants and had found no material deficiencies. Gardner said that although the district had budgeted using $5 million from its general reserve funds to meet expenses, it had only actually used $2.8 million. District Superintendent Jason Perrin thanked the auditors and said the district was getting better at predicting revenues and expenses Board President Kenneth Hassinger said the district was continuing to have to deal with unfunded mandates, noting for instance that the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture had provided less money than needed to provide mandated free lunches during 2020-21. Hassinger said the district’s food service budget had been self-sustaining in the past, but now was not. The board also unanimously voted to terminate an agreement with Cumberland Township to provide a School Resource Officer (SRO). Board member Michael Dickerson said the district had been put in an “interesting position” at one point when Cumberland did not have an SRO available for their use for a few days. Dickerson said the district had not made the decision “arbitrarily.” He said the district had planned to sign an extended contract with the township but that Cumberland was unable to provide qualified staffing and SRO training. The district has issued a Request for Proposal inviting qualified Borough, Township and/or Regional Law Enforcement Agencies to submit a proposal to provide a School Resource Officer The board also approved its 2022-23 school calendar as well as other policies on gifts, grants, and donations, and sanitary management. Perrin congratulated coach Chris Haines and the high school wrestling team for their recent conference win. Gettysburg defeated Central Dauphin 32-30 to win the District III M&T Bank Class 3A Team Wrestling Championship on Feb. 5 at Cumberland Valley High School. The next regularly scheduled board meeting will be Feb. 22 at 7:00 p.m.