At their March Board of Supervisors meeting, Cumberland Township Manager David Blocher, reported that the Township was awarded a total of $3,566,262.00 in grant funding which will be earmarked as follows:
- $1,300,000.00 in grant funding awarded from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) which will be used to support the community with campus improvements.
- $1,000,000.00 awarded from the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA), to be applied towards upgrades by Cumberland Township Sewer Authority.
- $146,262.00 from the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) to go towards the Police Vehicle Replacement Program.
- $1,120,000.00 awarded from the Federal Consolidation Appropriations Act of 2023. This funding will go towards Sewer Service Engineering.
On behalf of the entire board, Township Supervisor Chair Shaun Phiel thanked the staff and former township manager, Ben Thomas, Jr., saying, “The effort put into these grant applications in 2022 has brought in more than $3.5 million in 2023 that will benefit the township on many fronts, for many years to come.” Phiel also noted that the board and staff will continue to pursue sources of revenue that will benefit the residents of Cumberland Township.
Township Manager David Blocher thanked the governing bodies for their support and efforts to help make this happen. “We are proud of our township with the protection and services that we have which makes it the place you want to live,” he said. Blocher said that, as the Township grows, there are challenges to ensuring the provision of services to a level the community expects and that these grants would make a positive impact on the township, both operationally and financially.
Police Report: Chief Matthew Trostel reported that The Church of Brethren had requested assistance with a bike rodeo for youngsters scheduled for May 13 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Police Cadet Dakota Myers, who recently completed PA Vehicle Code and National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) coursework, was assigned to assist with the bike rodeo project.
As part of the 25th National Prescription Takeback Program, various Adams County police departments will hold a free Medicine Take Back event on April 22, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Cumberland Township police officer Rich Keefer will be assisting the Carroll Valley Police Department with this event. Chief Trostel pointed out that the Cumberland Township Police Department (CTPD) has a 24/7-365 drug drop box at the station throughout the year. (See also information on permanent collection sites at Adams County Medication Collection Boxes).
Chief Trostel said the Co-Responder Program Cooperation Agreement has been signed by Cumberland Township and awaiting countersignatures from York County and WellSpan. As soon as the program is officially in place, Chief Trostel will invite Coordinator Bruce Bartz and Co-Responder Mackenzie Johnson to attend a future Board meeting for an introduction.
All documentation related to CTPD’s award of the PCCD Medical Marijuana Grant has been completed and equipment to be funded by the grant has been placed on order. All CTPD members will be scheduled to attend Medical Marijuana Training classes in the near future.
In other police business, Chief Trostel reported on the department’s calls during the month; updates on the police vehicle upgrades; department training of individual PD members, as well as correspbndence received from the Barlow Fire Department Chief complimenting Officers Rich Keefer, Brian Weikert, Ryan Eiker and Sergeant Josh Rosenberger on their exemplary handling of various incidents. As previously reported, the Board approved the promotion of Officer Josh Rosenberger to Sergeant.
The 160th Battle of Gettysburg Anniversary special events will take place June 30 through July 2, 2023 (see more information at: 160th-battle-gettysburg-anniversary). Clem Melot from Pennsylvania Municipal Code Alliance (PMCA) and Jim Fox, representative for the reenactment organization, addressed the Board to report on current planning status and amount of support needed from the township.
A community member addressed the board to seek clarification on the upcoming Electronic Recycling Collection Programs for the county. Details about the program can be found online at PA Counties Electronics Recycling Collection Programs.
Information on each of the Engineering Projects, Bills/Budget approvals, and Committee Reports presented at the meeting can be found in the Regular Board Meeting Agenda: March 28, 2023 Cumberland Township BOS Meeting, and will be available in further detail on the Cumberland Township website, once the minutes of this meeting have been posted: Cumberland Township BOS Meetings 2023.
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.