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Print Edition Highlights - February 9, 2023
Photo by Curt Werner
Motel 6, 381 Cumberland Parkway in Upper Allen Township is a total loss after an early Friday evening fire February 3.
Mary Lou Bytof
Gusty winds and freezing temperatures early Friday evening, February 3, made fighting the fire at the Motel 6, 381 Cumberland Parkway in Upper Allen Township, exceptionally difficult for the many local fire companies that responded to the extensive blaze.
The fire started in a nearby motor home, and the high winds carried the flames to the motel roof, Pennsylvania State Police Spokesperson Megan Frazer said. Orange flames could be seen by motorists traveling U. S. Route 15 as well as many residents in Mechanicsburg area. The initial cause of the fire in the trailer is still under investigation, Frazer said Wednesday morning.
Before the fire companies arrived, Upper Allen Police reached the scene and went door-to-door to evacuate the residents. Every resident was able to get out safely, and some had time to rescue their pets, according to several reports. The fire displaced 30 people.
Upper Allen Fire Chief Tom Shumberger said the mobile home in which the fire started was approximately six feet from the motel. The wind quickly drove the blaze to the roof and through the motel. According to the chief, a fire wall stopped some of the damage.
For the rest of the story see the February 9, 2023 edition.
Kristen Stagg
At the Carroll Township board of supervisors’ Feb. 6 work session, lengthy discussion surrounded an item that remains on the agenda for Feb. 13’s regular meeting: the possibility of publishing committee meetings three days in advance on the township’s website.
Tim Kelly introduced the topic, saying although he doesn’t have an opinion either way, it was proposed “in the interest of transparency.” Brent Sailhamer and Dave Bush agreed.
Kelley Moyer-Schwille said that as a member of the business economic development committee, she often meets with developers who don’t want to publicize their potential interest in the township. “A lot of times, there’s information that can’t be discussed in public yet, but I always give a report to the board when it is, so the public is informed then.” She also argued that information such as the fire company notifying supervisors of suspected arson activity can’t and shouldn’t be made public, but there’s no way of knowing ahead of time that such a topic will arise.
Township attorney Mike Pykosh said that Sunshine Act notifications don’t come into play with committee meetings since a quorum isn’t present and no decisions are made. He said that members of the public historically haven’t been involved with committee meetings. He also noted that a business looking to relocate often doesn’t want employees to know during the early days until a final decision is made.
Saillhamer argued that the board’s responsibility is to township citizens, not private developers. He acknowledged there are certain situations where the public can’t be notified of certain details, but is confident “the majority” of committee meetings don’t fall into that category. He said, “Residents feel as if they’re not being informed.”
Moyer-Schwille said developers come to the township “to see what might be possible,” but it starts with local farmers selling their land. “We can’t stop farmers from selling their land to whoever they want,” she said.
Bush suggested that a disclaimer about a plan only being conceptual might alleviate residents’ concerns about preliminary, proposed development.
Carroll Township Manager Brandon Slatt said he couldn’t find any evidence that other municipalities publish notice of committee meetings, but Phil Brath, township engineer, said he knows of municipalities where each committee meets on a set day each month and the meetings are open to the public.
For the rest of the story see the February 9, 2023 edition.
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