(10/2021) It was a busy month in Liberty Township. We dealt with severe flooding from Hurricane Ida on numerous roads causing road closures. An area of Friends Creek Road was washed out and approximately 65 tons of stone were used to reshape and reform the road. Wenschhof, McGlaughlin, Bullfrog, Pecher, and Sanders Road, also experienced flooding issues. Please be advised that although these closures are an inconvenience, they are done strictly for safety reasons. This past month has not been any different from the other months as we continue to clear fallen trees along the roads during storms. We’ve had quite a few trees come down on Stoops, McGlaughlin, and Liberty Hall Roads. The cable company has been contacted to address the issue of a tree caught up in the cable wire on Liberty Hall Road.

I appreciate your patience as we close roads to allow roadwork to be completed. This past year, Irishtown, Brent, and the lower half of Old Waynesboro Road, all had base repair, and tar, chip, and sealant applied. In the next three to five years, we plan to apply a two-inch wear course and pave those roads to extend the life of the roads for 15-20 years. Base repair on McGlaughlin Road was completed recently and blacktop is planned for 2022. Additional roadwork will be determined as we work on our 2022 budget. The long-range goal for our township is to bring our roads up to par with black top and get away from tar and chipping. We are waiting to receive a permit from DEP to schedule the bridge repair work on the Old Waynesboro Road bridge. Our 2022 budget discussion will continue through November with the budget adoption due by December 31, 2021. It is a difficult task to keep our budget trim while performing the necessary maintenance and improvements needed by the township.

Mowing was completed in September, and tree trimming is scheduled for October along Bullfrog Road from Girl Scout Road to McGlaughlin Road. The goal is to cut back the branches hanging over roadway to allow the sun to help keep ice from forming on the roads. If time permits, we will open the McGlaughlin Road canopy as well. Our goal is to open the canopies on all township roads to provide safer travel during freezing weather.

As we move into the winter months, you will see the road crew out performing pipe and ditch inspections. Additionally, our priority is to fix potholes before the winter weather arrives. Soon we will begin our winter preparations by ordering salt and anti-skid, as well as getting the plow trucks ready for any significant snow. I anticipate having a full crew to help keep our roadways clear this winter.

A special meeting was held during the month of September for the Mid-Atlantic Soaring Association. The airport has asked for township support of their grant application for improvements at the airport. Residents had an opportunity to have input and comments at the meeting. No negative comments were made during the meeting and the Supervisors were inclined to support the grant application for the Mid-Atlantic Soaring Association.

We had a great response to our offer of free millings/debris from our recent road improvements. For those who did not receive any milling/debris this time, please know that your name has been placed on a list and we will contact you when we have more available.

The Liberty Township Police Department continues to do a tremendous job. Please contact Chief Hansen at 717-642-6103 if you are interested in elderly checks and you live in a municipality that is served by our Police Department. I most certainly appreciate our township staff and everything they do for the township and its residents. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve you. Have a Safe and Happy Halloween!