Washington Township

Man to be asked to remove nails from his yard WAYNESBORO, Pa. — Washington Township, Pa., officials are preparing a letter to a resident they say filled his yard with nails to discourage trespassing. The Kings Road resident will be asked to remove nails from the township right of way. Township supervisors said Monday they are concerned about access to a fire hydrant at the site, as well as nails being thrown if hit by a lawn mower. Four recycling center employees laid off WAYNESBORO, Pa. — Four recycling center employees in Washington Township, Pa., were laid off after IESI made changes to its delivery of materials.

A burn ban is being enacted in Washington Township, officials said Thursday. A ban on open burning in the township will go into effect on Saturday at 3 p.m., Washington Township Manager Mike Christopher said in a news release.

Washington Township, Pa., officials are refocusing on residents' needs as they endeavor to keep the municipal refuse transfer station and recycling center off Pa. 16 profitable. Unlike some facilities, Washington Township's is unable to do single-stream recycling, in which things like cardboard, cans and plastic bottles are thrown into the same bins. Municipal officials determined single-stream recycling would be too labor-intensive without pricey capital purchases. Because it doesn't do single-stream recycling, Washington Township is no longer taking in materials from IESI, Waste Management and other commercial haulers.

Biking enthusiasts are invited to offer input on a new pumptrack planned in Washington Township, Pa. Township officials will host a meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday at 13013 Welty Road. “It's an open forum for anyone interested. The purpose of the meeting is to evaluate and get many eyes on ... the design before it is finished,” Township Manager Mike Christopher said. The township supervisors expect to pay $4,000 for a design by Colorodo-based Lee McCormack, who operates www.leelikesbikes.com . They received a preliminary sketch late last week from McCormack and must return it with feedback.

Washington Township Board of Supervisors met with Pennsylvania state lawmakers and other local leaders Friday as part of its annual planning meeting. Township Manager Michael Christopher said the all-day meeting, which was held in the Washington Township Municipal Building on Welty Road, sets the direction for the township in the coming year and opens up a dialogue with local leaders and legislators. Rep. Todd Rock, R-Franklin, and Sen. Richard Alloway, R-Franklin/Adams/York, were among those who addressed the meeting weighing in on a range of topics including the state budget, transportation and the implication of both on the township.

WAYNESBORO, Pa. -- The Washington Township (Pa.) Supervisors agreed Monday to send information about five locations slated for possible rezoning to county authorities for their review. Affected are 19 existing houses in the 14000 block of Harbaugh Church Road, Bayside Homes on Mentzer Gap Road and 15 parcels in the 14000 block of Buchanan Trail East near the intersection with Old Route 16. Those would change from R2 (medium-density residential) to R1 (low-density residential)

The flap over chickens continued Monday in Washington Township, Pa., where township supervisors took steps toward allowing hens in backyard coops. Debate about changing an existing prohibition of chickens in most zones lasted an hour during the Washington Township Supervisors meeting. Ultimately, the supervisors decided to start the process to allow chickens in R1 (low-density residential) and forest conservation zones if certain requirements are met. The potential changes to the zoning regulations would be the subject of a public hearing before they could be fully adopted.

Flashing lights will be installed at the intersection of Pa. 997 and Tomstown Road in an effort to improve safety there. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation will install two 30 mph signs and flashing lights, according to Washington Township (Pa.) Manager Mike Christopher. Under an agreement with PennDOT, the township will pay for the sign's electricity and handle maintenance, Christopher said. The installation will occur this year, Christopher said. Accidents frequently occur at the intersection, he said.

William Max McLaughlin VFW Post 695 of Waynesboro recently contributed $10,000 to a Sept. 11, 2001, memorial being developed in Washington Township, Pa. It was the largest single donation to date toward the project.

The Washington Township (Pa.) Supervisors got their first look at a draft ordinance to consider allowing backyard chickens in residential zones including R1, R3 and forest conservation. Supervisor Elaine Gladhill said chickens currently are prohibited in residential zones under local zoning laws in Washington Township, but are permitted in the neighboring Borough of Waynesboro. On Wednesday, township planner Clint Rock presented the draft ordinance to Gladhill and fellow supervisors Jeff Geesaman, Stephen Kulla and William Conrad.

A dog died in a Tuesday afternoon house fire at 8778 Stottlemyer Road in Washington Township, Pa. One dog was found alive in the fenced area behind the house, while another was found dead in the home, Waynesboro Assistant Fire Chief Mark Dale said at the scene. No one was home when the 3:45 p.m. fire started, and a neighbor called 911 to report seeing smoke, Dale said. Firefighters shut down Stottlemyer Road as they took hoses into the brick house. Washington Township police were investigating the cause of the fire.

Township police to take part in take-back day BLUE RIDGE SUMMIT, Pa. - The Washington Township (Pa.) Police Department will be joining a host of other law enforcement agencies in participating in National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day this Saturday. Washington Township police will be accepting expired, unused or unwanted medications from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Blue Ride Fire Hall at 13063 Monterey Lane in Blue Ridge Summit. A complete list of Franklin County and Eastern Panhandle agencies hosting similar events was published in Wednesday's paper.

The Washington Township (Pa.) Police Department was investigating the cause of a Wednesday afternoon fire in Blue Ridge Summit, Pa. Firefighters from Franklin and Adams counties in Pennsylvania and Washington and Frederick counties in Maryland contained the fire at 12227 Clermont Road to the attic, where it started. Blue Ridge (Pa.) Fire Chief Steve Moffat said the first firefighters on the scene saw smoke coming from the eaves and had trouble finding access to the attic over the two-story stone house.

The Washington Township (Pa.) Supervisors are considering changing their regulations and allowing backyard chickens in a residential zone after some residents squawked about the birds being prohibited. Supervisor Elaine Gladhill said she plans to meet Saturday with proponents of allowing backyard chickens in R1 (low-density residential) zones. “I think maybe it's something we should look at with conditions,” Gladhill said at Wednesday's supervisors meeting. Chickens currently are prohibited in residential zones under local zoning laws.

A committee tasked with reviewing the traffic impact fees on select new development in Washington Township, Pa., has recommended those fees be lowered. The committee, largely composed of real estate professionals, has recommended the impact fee be reduced to an amount between $2,486 and $2,714, saying the Washington Township Supervisors can use their discretion when setting the amount. The impact fees are assessed on each “traffic unit” created by new development within specific geographic zones.

New tax abatement program approved by Pa. township WAYNESBORO, Pa. - A new tax abatement program for select commercial and industrial properties received approval from the Washington Township (Pa.) Supervisors on Monday. The supervisors adopted a Local Economic Revitalization Tax Abatement (LERTA) program and a list of eligible properties. Over the next seven years, owners of properties on the list can apply for LERTA benefits if they make improvements to the properties.