Local Government

The Cumberland Township Board of Supervisors approved an application from BR Smith Properties seeking conditional use for a proposed campground in the Mixed Use (MX) zoning district located at 75 Cunningham Road. The site is the former home of Boyds Bears Country Barn, which is being developed into an upscale restaurant, hotel, and campground known

Cumberland Township has partnered with Savvy Citizen to keep our residents informed! Savvy Citizen is more than a notification system as it allows Cumberland Township to keep residents up-to-date on community events, helpful information, significant meetings, road closures, alerts, and much more. Available on Android, iPhone/iPad, and computers, residents of Cumberland Township can choose to

For more information, please see our accompanying story. The Gettysburg Planning Commission tonight considered, and expressed approval of, a proposed  mixed use residential/commercial project next to the Gettysburg Train Station. The proposed project, to be located between Carlisle and Stratton Streets, includes 186 apartments in 3 buildings, as well as 7,000 square feet of restaurant

After months of debate, the Carroll Valley Borough Council is still undecided about the issue of how many trailers can be parked on private properties in the borough. An amendment presented at Tuesday’s meeting was rejected and sent back for further tweaking. It would have permitted storage of three trailered vehicles per lot with a

After over a year of discussion and after having received comments from dozens of community members, the Gettysburg Borough Council voted Monday to allow outdoor events venues, including one to be located at the former Gettysburg Academy building at the corner of W. High and S. Washington streets. The vote was split 4 to 3

At their April Board of Supervisors meeting, Cumberland Township Board members were introduced by MH-IDD Community Liaison Bruce Bartz to the new police co-responder McKenzie Johnson, a mental health clinician assigned to police departments to assist officers during emergency calls, helping to de-escalate crisis situations and connecting individuals to available resources. The crisis intervention co-responder

State Representative Torren Ecker, who was arrested in an alcohol-related crash in the county on April 20, visited the Adams County Council of Governments monthly meeting on Wednesday morning. Addressing what he called “the elephant in the room,” Ecker told the gathered municipal and school district representatives that he apologized for his actions. “I am

The Gettysburg Borough Council voted on Monday evening to approve two zoning amendments for “publication and intended enactment.” The ordinances will be voted on for final enactment by the council at its May meeting. The first is for a proposal to remove 49 parcels along the NW side of Johns St. and the SE side

After over 30 meetings over the past year discussing the issue, the Gettysburg Borough Council is ready to support event venues as a right in the borough. An alternative recommended by the Gettysburg Planning Commission would have been to make events venues a special exception. At Monday’s workshop meeting, 4 of the 7 members said

The threat of cyber-attacks loomed large at Thursday’s meeting of the Adams County Council of Governments (ACCOG). “A municipality is an enticing target,” said ACCOG member Ron Harris, who presented information to educate municipal leaders about the many online scams that threaten cybersecurity and outlined best practices that leaders can use to prevent those threats.

Five million dollars from the Adams Response & Recovery Fund (ARRF) was awarded to 14 projects impacting economic development and public safety priorities at Wednesday’s Adams County Commissioners meeting. Top awards included one million dollars to the East Berlin Area Joint Authority to support regional economic development, $500,000 to Adams County Technical Institute for land

After two months of discussion at planning commission meetings, Carroll Valley Borough may be near a resolution to what has become known as the “trailer ordinance.” “I hope to prepare an ordinance draft for the next meeting,” borough manager Dave Hazlett told the Carroll Valley council. At issue is how many non-motored vehicles may be

Gettysburg Mayor Frealing recognized the 197th anniversary of its founding and honored local resident Bob Mcilhenny for his work in creating the Gettysburg flag 20 years ago at its meeting yesterday. Read our story about the development of the flag here. Frealing declared March as “The official flag of the borough of Gettysburg month.” Frealing

Borough Engineer Chad Claybaugh said the borough was working with a traffic consultant to create a design to make Racehorse Alley safer and more accommodating for bicycles and pedestrians. Claybaugh said a number of options were being considered, including the possibility of making the alley one-way between Buford and Washington Streets. The alley is already

It was twenty years ago when Gettysburg resident Bob Mcilhenny received a phone call from then borough manager Charlie Sterner. “Sterner said he thought it would be a great idea if we had a town flag,” said Micilhenny. “He called me because I ran a business that fabricated banners and flags.” Mcilhenny said he started

At their regular monthly meeting yesterday, the Cumberland Township Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a $25,000 Medical Marijuana Grant for the Cumberland Township Police Department. The grant had been awarded in December 2022 by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crimes and Delinquency (PCCD) as part of opening funding opportunities to all Pennsylvania municipal police departments to

It’s a sobering thought. According to the Adam’s County Coroner’s Office, 119 people have lost their lives in the county to opioid overdoses since 2015. Lisa Lindsey, data prevention specialist with the Center for Youth and Community Development, told the commissioners on Wednesday morning that the number of deaths in Adams County from overdoses in

The Gettysburg Planning Commission considered Tuesday evening a proposal from the Borough Council to create an ordinance that would allow event venues in several zoning districts across the borough. The commission acts in an advisory role to the Borough Council and will share its findings with it. Saying event venues with outdoor activities and events

The Gettysburg Borough council has authorized a public hearing to be held on Monday, March 27, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. in the borough office at 59 E. High St. to consider its proposal to establish and regulate event venues in the borough. The borough has spent many months discussing the new ordinance which arose from

Gettysburg and Adams county residents will be receiving their annual tax bills in the next few weeks. Gettysburg Tax Collector Lisa Angstadt explains: The Occupation Tax is charged to every Gettysburg borough resident who is currently employed and the amount is based on the occupation reported to the County Tax Services office. If a resident is unemployed or

The week of Feb. 4 to 11 was proclaimed Court Reporting and Caption Week 2023 by the Adams County Commissioners at its Wednesday meeting. “Court reporting is essential to the health of the judicial system,” said Commissioner James Martin. “I wish there was some way to see how many miles of text these ladies put

The purchase of a new ballot sorting machine, at a cost of more than $200,000, was approved by the Adams County Board of Commissioners at today’s meeting. “We were given a lump sum by the state to help with the purchase and have utilized that,” said commissioner Randy Phiel. The Agilis Falcon ballot sorting machine

At their January Board of Supervisors meeting, the Cumberland Township Board of Supervisors welcomed newly elected Township Manager, David Blocher and appointed the following members to boards and commissions: Planning Commission: Stephen Tallman – Re-appointed Robert J Bunce – New Planning Commission Alternate Kathleen Heidecker – New Planning Commission Alternate  HARB (Historical Architectural Review Board): Marty Miller –

As local townships struggle to find candidates to fill their open tax collection positions, collecting taxes seems to be unappealing as paying them. The problem became more acute last week as the Adams County Board of Commissioners accepted the resignation of tax collectors from Hamiltonban Township and Bendersville Borough . “Small municipalities are having a

Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PA and Katie Meyer of 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 — In his first moments as Pennsylvania’s 48th governor, Democrat Josh Shapiro touted his

The Adams County Commissioners have approved a program that will provide Adams County Adult Correctional Center referred inmates with online Alcohol Highway Safety School classes. Twelve hours in length, the cost to the County for the classes is $175 per student per month. The classes will be funded by Probation’s 2022-2023 Intermediate Punishment Treatment Program

Gettysburg borough will keep its outdoor Christmas displays up, probably until mid-February, at the request of the producers of “The Gettysburg Christmas Story,” which will be shooting in town beginning Wednesday. The borough noted that the Trap, Neuter, and Release program for feral cats has been continued. Residents are encouraged to report cats that need

The Cumberland Township Board of Supervisors announced the hiring of David Blocher as the next Township Manager. Blocher follows Ben Thomas, Jr., who retired at the end of 2022 after twelve years of service with the Township. “After an extensive search, the Board of Supervisors are confident that Dave is the right person for the

“Christian Nationalism is a radical, fanatical departure from the teachings of Jesus and any faithful reading of either the Hebrew Bible or the New Testament, and it is also dangerously anti-democratic,” said Orrtanna resident Pamela Cooper-White, speaking on the second anniversary of the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington by

There were multiple moments of applause and a standing ovation on Wednesday morning as the Adams County Commissioners bid farewell to Chief Public Defender Kristin Rice, who is retiring after serving for the past 19 years. “I want to say the last 19 years have been a joy. I’ve felt so supported by my attorneys

The Gettysburg Borough Council will apply for two major grants related to needed stormwater repairs. Borough Engineer Chad Clabaugh said the grants were directed toward repair of failing stormwater system infrastructure including channel walls on “The Tiber” (Stevens Run). Harbaugh said the Gettysburg Borough Storm Water Authority (GBSWA) would be responsible for matching funds, which

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gettysburg Borough will revise its employee complaint processes to make them more streamlined and more transparent. The goal is a standardized set of “progressive disciplinary actions” for potential infractions. The policy would help ensure all relevant parties, including employees, supervisors, and the borough council would be notified of the processes and outcomes of any complaints and

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

The national statistics are sobering. One in 4 women and 1 in 10 men experience sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime. Many victims experience concern for their safety, PTSD symptoms, physical injury, and the need to be counseled by by victim services. Showing support for victims of violence,

Gettysburg Mayor Rita Frealing and nearly 50 other community leaders from across Pennsylvania met with senior White House officials and President Biden yesterday at the Communities in Action: Building a Better Pennsylvania event at the White House. Department of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, Senior Advisor to the President Anita Dunn, Senior Advisor and Director of

Cumberland Township Supervisors tentatively denied approval of preliminary plans for a large apartment complex at the site of the closed Gettysburg Country Club at Rt. 30 and Country Club Lane last night. Opponents of the proposed Residences at Willoughby Run, an eight-building complex of 112 apartments, overflowed into the hallway of the meeting room. Supervisors

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

Over 50 demonstrators met on the Gettysburg Square on Friday evening to continue expressing their support for Democratic candidates Josh Shapiro, John Fetterman, and Marty Qually. The demonstrators brought signs and raised their voices in support of abortion rights, voting integrity, democracy, and freedom. The group meets on Friday afternoons to support their cause. The

Gubernatorial candidate Attorney General Josh Shapiro visited Gettysburg Saturday afternoon to rally county Democrats for his campaign to win governorship of Pennsylvania in November. More than 150 supporters filled the new county committee headquarters at 52 Chambersburg Street. Outside the venue, a handful of so-called MAGA supporters mounted a mini demonstration touting State Senator Doug

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

Over 40 concerned citizens attended last night’s Cumberland Township Planning Commission Meeting. The evening’s topic was a consideration of “The Residence at Willoughby Run”, a proposed 112 apartment unit on 14.5 acres at the corner of Chambersburg Road and Country Club Lane. The site is controversial because it is within the Gettysburg National Military Park’s

The Adams County Commissioners addressed a serious problem for county residents today as they proclaimed September 2022 as Suicide Prevention Month.   Healthy Adams County Executive Director Kathy Gaskin said that in the past the focus had been on youth, but that there now was a greater need for focus on middle-aged males, who are

Washington Post columnist Jennifer Rubin’s appearance at Gettysburg College drew approximately 100 people, roughly divided between seniors and college students. The event was sponsored by Gettysburg College Jewish Studies. Her topic was “Defending American Democracy: The Midterm Test.”  Rubin started by saying she had enjoyed her battlefield tour earlier in the day, and had just

The Gettysburg Borough Council is revisiting and potentially revising several local ordinances and will get public comment during the decision-making process. The borough will consider one or more ordinances that explicitly require each street address and apartment unit to have its own utility hookups. The goal is to prevent people from sharing water, electric, sewer,

For the second time this summer, the proposed apartment complex, “Residence at Willoughby Run”, must wait another month for a recommendation from the Cumberland Township Planning Commission. At the commission’s Thursday meeting, Bob Sharrah of KPI, representing the owner, presented updated plans for the 112 rental units slated for the site of the former Gettysburg

In addition to meeting with the borough’s trash removal contractor, WM, the following issues were considered at Monday’s Gettysburg Borough Council Meeting: The next electronic device recycling event will be held on Sep. 17. Please register here or call 717.337.0424 before Sep. 16 to preregister. The Robert C. Hoffman Foundation has awarded a $12,000 grant

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

The Cumberland Township Supervisors unanimously denied tonight a request from the Gettysburg Municipal Authority (GMA) for a zoning change that would have allowed them to build a 170-foot tall water tower at the corner of Herr’s Ridge Road and Red Oak Lane. The hearing room was full of interested parties and after GMA presented their

The ceramic tile mural on the back wall of the amphitheater at the Gettysburg rec park, which has been in place for about 25 years, has been damaged.  Gettysburg Area Recreational Authority (GARA) staff said tiles on the mural had been loosened by a moisture leak in the structure. A few have fallen off, but

A Police Department Operations Assessment Report, commissioned by Cumberland Township and prepared by Ron Camacho from Camacho Consulting and published in May underscores the many difficulties the Cumberland Township Police Department has faced during the past years. The tide has hopefully turned with the recent appointment of Matthew Trostel as the new police chief, but

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

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

“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