The August 27 meeting of the Cumberland Township Board of Supervisors marked the last date the township supervisors met at their current location at 1370 Fairfield Road, which had housed the township administrative offices for almost 45 years, since 1979.
As of September 1 all township and CTA meetings will be held at 730 Chambersburg Road. During the week of September 3-5, offices will be open by appointment only. Residents are encouraged to call (717) 334-6485 to schedule. Beginning September 9th, administrative offices will be open regular hours at the Chambersburg Road location. Parking will be available on the lots located off Country Club Lane.
The temporary move is necessitated by the upcoming renovation of the Fairfield Road campus, a $4.3 million-dollar project to upgrade and expand the existing building and parking accommodations. The project will increase the building’s footprint by 38% and is intended to expand the police department space which was built in 1994 to serve two officers but currently houses eleven officers; fix multiple security vulnerabilities identified by studies and evaluations; address ADA compliance to better assist all township residents; and offer space for HOA meetings, elections, and other community needs.
Further details on this renovation project can be found here: Cumberland Township Volume 5 Dispatch.
Police Report:
Cumberland Township Police Department participated in Adams County’s Community Connection Event hosted by Adams County Domestic Relations. Kids and adults were able to interact with CT police officers and check out the gear that they carry in the patrol cars. The officers also handed out public safety related materials from LAW Publications, which are funded by community donations for these types of events. Sergeant Rosenberger and Officer Barbagello represented the Cumberland Township PD.
The SR116 Fairfield Road Bridge Replacement and Detour necessitated additional traffic enforcement due to increased traffic volume around the detours. CTPD’s radar speed trailer was utilized in the neighborhoods that were impacted by the detour to function as a traffic calming tool. Chief Matthew Trostel commended his officers for the positive impact their efforts had on road safety while the detour and bridge replacement project was taking place.
A Cumberland Township resident addressed Chief Trostel and thanked him for his department’s increased use of the radar speed trailer in the areas around Park Avenue, as this resident had previously alerted the township of speeding traffic coming up on Route 116 and drivers running the stop signs on Park Avenue at Old Mill Road.
Gettysburg Bike Week, which attracts thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts each year, typically brings along increased call volume relating to accidents, impaired driving, public intoxication, and medical assists. CTPD was well prepared with an Incident Action Plan to be ready for the increased risk of large-scale incidents and emergencies. In addition to increased traffic enforcement and foot patrol presence in town, police handled a number of incidents, including one serious 2-motorcycle, 2-patient crash resulting in life-threatening injuries and a patient flown to York Hospital.
Business Discussions:
The business agenda included various items on the consent agenda (see list of subjects here: Cumberland Township BOS Agenda August 27, 2024), including the discussion of a number of waiver requests related to the Table Rock Terrace Land Development Plan, a proposed 53 single-family attached unit housing development at the intersection of Boyds School Road and Table Rock Road which is currently still in its initial planning phase.
Minutes of past Cumberland Township Board of Supervisors meetings can be found here: Cumberland Township 2024 BOS Meetings.
Photo: Officer Barbagello and Sergeant Rosenberger (Courtesy of Cumberland Township PD)
Donate Gardner is a freelance writer and journalist who came to Gettysburg from Montgomery County, Maryland. A former linguist-turned-legal professional, Donate recently retired and is eager to support her new community in a variety of ways. She currently serves as the news communicator for the Adams County migrant outreach program, Pasa La Voz and supports various pro bono legal services to migrants in the area.
An immigrant born, raised, and educated in Western Europe, Donate uses her multi-lingual background to maintain connection to other cultures, both as a writer, historical researcher and advocate.
Donate is also an active musician, multi-instrumentalist and award-winning songwriter, enjoying the rich music and arts community in Gettysburg, and supporting traveling musicians coming through the area. Donate can be reached at: dvbgardner@gmail.com.