GARA Executive Director Search
At the June 25th Cumberland Township Board of Supervisors meeting, Supervisor Warren Shepherd announced that GARA Executive Director, Erin Peddigree, has resigned as of July 12th. An active search for a replacement has begun already. Ms. Peddigree was instrumental in bringing the Adams County Farmers Market to its new location at the Park; setting up the annual Summer Concert Series, among other festivities and programs; and tirelessly working on ground and facility improvements to the campus.
The Board expressed their gratitude for Ms. Peddigree’s services in bringing the Rec Park and its programs to the current, successful standards. Interested candidates should contact Cumberland Township at 1370 Fairfield Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325, Tel: 717-334-6485; or the GARA Board at 545 Long Lane, Gettysburg, PA 17325, Tel. at 717-334-2028.
Loans available under Pennvest Homeowner Septic Program:
Township Manager David Blocher announced Cumberland’s participation in the Pennvest Homeowner Septic Program, which provides loans to qualified Pennsylvania homeowners for public utilities, such as:
– Repair or replacement of an existing connection to public sewer, OR an individual on-lot sewage disposal system;
-Connecting an existing home for the first time to public sewer;
-Paying for design, construction, permit and other related municipal costs.
Terms are fixed interest rate for life of loan, currently as low as 1.75 percent (2.55% APR), and up to 20 years to repay the loan balance. For more information, call PHFA’s Solution Center at 855-U-ARE-HOME (855-827-3466), or visit www.PHFA.org to learn more about eligibility and view a list of participating lenders.
Cumberland Township Building Projects:
The Cumberland Township Municipal Campus held a building workshop on June 18th, which focused on the review of current municipal building renovation projects, including the Cumberland Township Police Department on Fairfield Road. Township Manager, David Blocher, invited the public to stop by the Township Offices on 1370 Fairfield Road, to view sample boards and plans available for public view. An overview of Cumberland Township’s Building Projects can also be found here: Cumberland Township Municipal Building Project Overview.
Police Report:
Chief Trostel reported on the PD’s number of calls and criminal incident investigations handled during the month of May; current department training initiatives, such as the Trauma Informed Victim/Witness Refresher and Lethality Assessment Training attended by Sgt. Rosenberger and Officer Barbagello; as well as positive communications received commending Sgt. Goodling and Officer Hartley for exemplary handling of particular incidents.
The recently hired Police Cadet, Jordan Spidle, is currently undergoing Police Academy training and will be fully onboarded once all training has been completed. The Police Department is still hiring for the following jobs on the force: http://www.cumberlandtownship.com/home/newsinformation/now-hiring-police-department.
All other regular meeting agenda items discussed at the BOS meeting, including approval of bills and legal documents, engineering items, maintenance reports and committee reports, can be found at: Cumberland Township BOS Meeting June 25, 2024 – Agenda.
Donate Gardner is a freelance journalist who came to Gettysburg in 2021 from Montgomery County, Maryland.
A former linguist-turned-legal professional, Donate recently retired from the corporate world 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.
As an immigrant born, raised, and educated in Germany, Donate still maintains a strong connection to the German language as a writer and translator. Donate is an active musician and has made her new home in Gettysburg available to host house concerts for traveling musicians and local artists in need of support. Donate and her husband have two daughters and three grandchildren.