(1/2022) Liberty Gets New Police Officer And Tasers

At its November meeting, Liberty Township Board of Supervisors received a new part-time police officer and approval for new tasers.

Ryan Morris was welcomed as a new part-time Liberty Township police officer. Due to the Liberty Township Police Department covering Freedom Township and taking on a new contract with Highland Township in the near future It was imperative the township have qualified and experienced officers, according to Board Chairman Walter "Mickey" Barlow.

"I am very much in favor of adding experienced people to our police force," Vice Chair Bob Jackson said. Jackson noted that two crucial aspects of a local municipality government is maintaining quality roads and a capable police force "And I think we do it the right way," he said.

The board also approved the purchase of a new taser bundle from Axon Enterprise for a total cost of $4,344. The police department currently has two tasers available for use and "one is practically out of service," Barlow said.

The quotation requested was for the newest device model that are state-of-the-art and "far more effective," he said.

Outdated tasers are unreliable and have potential to misfire. "If we have tasers that are unreliable we can’t have our police officers pull them in an incident," Barlow said.

Understanding the essentiality of a well-equipped police force, the Fairfield AmVets Post 172 donated $500 towards the purchase, according to Barlow.

Hamiltonban Budget Approved

At its November 3 meeting, Hamiltonban Board of Supervisors approved the proposed draft 2022 budget. Hamiltonban’s total income is slated to be $887,074 and total expenses are estimated to be $1,027,310. The net deficit of $140,236b will be made up by transferring money from the Townships capital reserves and from the Township Americna Recover Act fund.

The township’s capital improvement plans for 2022 to 2026 were also presented. The capital improvement plan is a long-range proposal that identifies future capital projects and equipment purchases. The plan is reviewed by the supervisors on an annual basis.

Anticipated projects for 2022 include driveway paving, resurfacing, office meeting room enlargement, and lighting as well as vehicle and equipment reserve upgrade.

Proposed projects for 2023 include construction of a fuel station canopy and equipment pole barn for the township educational campus as well as the enlargement of the office meeting room and removal of two bathrooms for the township municipal building. Projects for 2024 include upgrading computer, printer, and township electronic systems. Proposed projects for 2025 include professional wall map hanging and lighting.

Highland Supervisor and Road Master Retires

At its December 14 meeting, Highland Board of Supervisors honored the retirement of longtime township Supervisor and Roadmaster Ed Steinour. A reception was held prior to the meeting honoring Steinour’s years of dedication to the community. Steinour is still expected to attend and participate in Supervisor meetings going forward, just from an audience seat from now on.

William Baldwin was welcomed as a Supervisor beginning this month. Baldwin is the owner of Land of Little Horses located in Gettysburg.

Highland Township’s 2022 budget was also approved with no tax increase. Highland’s proposed 2022 budget included a total income of $274,735 and a total expenditure of $274,735.

Adams Regional Emergency Medical Services Names New CEO

After an extensive search that stretched for months across the county, Adams Regional Emergency Medical Services (AREMS) named Brian Wheeler as new Chief Executive Officer effective February.

Wheeler fills the role from former and founding chief Eric Zaney who accepted a position with Penn State Health Emergency Medical Services.

Wheeler retired as Fire Chief of Fort Detrick after over 26 years of service. Subsequent to that, he was Susquehanna Area Regional Airport Fire Chief since 2018.

Wheeler’s extended experience will be instrumental in providing organizational leadership, according to Kevin Moul, chairman of the Board of Adams Regional EMS.

Wheeler along with his wife and children have been residents of Carroll Valley since 1999.

According to a December press release, Wheeler looks forward to joining the AREMS team as a crucial organization serving the Adams County community.

Formed In 2015 through cooperative efforts with Fairfield Fire and EMS, Gettysburg Fire Department, and United Hook and Ladder, Adams Regional EMS is a nonprofit ambulance service for more than 20 municipalities throughout the Adams County region.

More information about AREMS can be found at http://www.arems.net/.