Print Edition Highlights - November 23, 2023
Bridge remains an issue
Carolyn Hoffman/Staff Reporter
Curt Werner/Dillsburg Banner
This historic one-lane bridge on Cabin Hollow Road outside of Franklintown remains an issue in Franklin Township.
What to do about the historic one-lane bridge on Cabin Hollow Road outside of Franklintown remains an issue in Franklin Township. The options are limited because it's a county-owned bridge over which Franklin has no control. PennDOT wants to replace the bridge with a two-lane structure, but some adjacent landowners want the bridge to remain a single lane, in part because making it a two-lane bridge will further increase truck traffic along the road.
PennDOT says the bridge doesn't meet its criteria for remaining a one- lane bridge due to the current level of daily traffic across it. The agency must obtain permissions from the landowners for the upgrade, or barring that, close the bridge (and by extension the road) permanently the next time it is damaged or deemed unsafe. Without approval from the landowners for rights of way, the bridge will remain in its current condition.
Franklin may have found a way to potentially extend the life of the bridge by limiting the number of truck axles on the road or enacting a weight limit. However, even that is not entirely up to Franklin as three other municipalities-Franklintown, Warrington, and Carroll - would also have to agree. Still, Franklin agreed to start that process and reach out to the other municipalities to limit the road. The township also plans to reach out to State Rep. Dawn Keefer to see if any other options are available.
For the rest of the story see the November 23, 2023 edition
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Hearing continued to Nov. 30
Kristen Stagg/Staff Reporter
The conditional use hearing for the proposed South Mountain Commons warehouse/distribution center that started on Nov. 9 has been continued until Nov. 30. Only one of three witnesses for the developer completed testimony and cross-examination by objectors and township officials.
Carroll Township solicitor Michael Pykosh set the ground rules for the hearing before testimony began. McNees & Wallace's Charlie Courtney is the attorney representing York Land Development, LLC. He introduced the three witnesses: John Ortenzio, president of Select Capital Commercial Properties, who created York Land Development, LLC; Adam Davis, of Hyland Engineering, site engineer; and Craig Mellot of Traffic Planning and Design, Inc., traffic engineer.
Registered objectors to the 252,000 square-foot building proposed for 941 York Road include adjoin- ing property owners Frank Sirianni, Sherry Siriani, and Barbara Monighon as a representative for the Mt. Olivet Campmeeting of which she is treasurer.
For the rest of the story see the November 23, 2023 edition.
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Police investigating possible fraud
Carolyn Hoffman/Staff Reporter
Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the possible fraud of money from Warrington Township. So far, the amount under investigation is $3,327.10 from failing to deposit township funds between May 13, 2019, and November 22, 2021.
At the Nov. 15 meeting, supervisors also voted 4-1 to submit the findings to the state ethics commission for a determination. Supervisor John Dockery opposed the motion but did not explain his decision.
The missing funds, according to the auditing firm of Smith Elliott Kearns & Co. LLC were described as an “unrecorded petty cash account.” At the meeting, Supervisor Ed Mattos read some additional information alleging that the missing funds could be as much as $33,000 going back as far as 2007. He also indicated that the money came from funds collected from recycled materials that should have been deposited as township income. Some of the receipts found, he said, were from Schwann's delivery service and Giant, and according to the auditing firm, apparently were used for supplies, food and drinks.
For the rest of the story see the November 23, 2023 edition.
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More than a dozen register for objector status
Kristen Stagg/Staff Reporter
The Carroll Township conditional use hearing for SDKM Dillsburg Land, LLC, concerning property at Golf Course and Glenwood roads started on Nov. 16. However, after a dozen of the more than 50 attendees registered for objector status, township solicitor Michael Pykosh, who ran the meeting, recommended continuing the hearing for a later date so the applicant’s attorney can email objectors all the exhibits for review. Pykosh noted the traffic study alone is 100 pages long.
With objector status, residents will be able to cross-examine all the applicant witnesses’ testimony and provide their own exhibits and testimony throughout the process. Residents without objector status are permitted to offer public comment at the very end of the proceedings. According to Pykosh, the applicant’s attorney, Charles Courtney, may object to any resident’s application for objector status; however, the final decision to grant status lies with the board.
For the rest of the story see the November 23, 2023 edition.
Field Hockey team honors student-athletes
Joe Guty/Dillsburg Banner
Curt Werner/Dillsburg Banner
Pictured from left, front row are Liv Anderson, MVP; Sophia Bushey and Emma DeBolt, Sportsmanship; Giana Caperelli, Coaches Award and Ella Pietropola, Sportsmanship. Absent from photo is MJ Simpson, Unsung Hero Award.
Last Wednesday, Nov. 15, the Northern H.S. Field Hockey team celebrated the 2023 season at their annual awards banquet held at Dukes in Wormleysburg. The Lady Polar Bears’ varsity team, the District III runner-up Championship Class AA qualifier, compiled a 19-4 record while the JV team finished at 13-1. For the varsity, Olivia Anderson won the MVP Award, Sophia Bushey and Emma DeBolt won the Sportsmanship Award, Gianna Caperelli won the Coaches Award and Maura “MJ” Simpson won the Unsung Hero Award. Ella Pietropola won the JV Sportsmanship Award. Caperelli and Anderson also won their third-year varsity letters.
Second year letter winners included: Sophia Bushey, Emma DeBolt, Addison Fringer, Hanna Thomas, Maura “MJ” Simpson and Tori Snyder. First year letter winners included: Ava Barrick, Morgan Sober, Keairah Dykes, Lauryn Hose, Sequoia Murray and Courtney Heltzel. Certificate winners included: Savannah Boyer, Arabella Hill, Ella Pietropola, Maria Pucino, Mary Rivera, Sarah Smith, Sara Gunning, Ava Hondorf, Presley Loomis and team manager Mackenzie Robinson.
For the rest of the story, see the November 23, 2023 edition.
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Bears selected to Mid-Penn All-Division teams
Joe Guty/Dillsburg Banner
Mid-Penn Conference coaches recently announced their 2023 Fall season All-Division teams, and several Northern H.S. student-athletes have earned post-season recognition in their respective sports. In Football, senior Cole Bartram was named Colonial Division Player of the Year for offense and defense. He also was named First Team Defense as a Linebacker and First Team Offensive Back as he had 113 total tackles and amassed 1848 rushing yards for the 2023 season. Other Polar Bear student-athletes received honors. Colonial Second Team All- Division – Offense included: Cory Johnson – Interior Lineman and Nolan Wimbrough – Place Kicker. Honorable Mention selections included: Anna Lehman – Place Kicker; Trey Tyree – Down Lineman; Brandon Wiley, Jake Bechtel and Magarrin Macke – Linebacker; Austin Miller – Defensive Back; Jake Bechtel – Receiver; Magarrin Macke – Receiver and Michael Hill – Center.
The Northern Girls’ Soccer Team’s Colonial First Team All-Division members included Sydney Waits, Olivia Goretski, Abby Freese, Allison Bechtel and Cassidy Brunner. Goretski was also named Player of the Year. Colonial Second Team All-Division honorees included: Andrea Black, Taelyn Townsend and Ashley Deiter. Honorable Mention selections included Camryn Porter, Anna Lehman and Siena Ondecko. Polar Bear head coach Seth Lehman was named Colonial Coach of the Year.
For the rest of the story, see the November 23, 2023 edition.
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Unity defines Polar Bear gridders’ undefeated season
Joe Guty/Dillsburg Banner
An opening 14-6 win over Red Land set the tone for the 2023 Northern H.S. JV Football team as the Polar Bears’ “Monday Group” went undefeated at 6-0. While the Monday games did not have the large fan base and energized “Friday Night Lights” atmosphere, Northern earned their perfect record with an awe-inspiring display of unity, skill and determination on the gridiron.
“From the kickoff of their first game to the final whistle of the season, this team epitomized unity, discipline, and sheer tenacity on the field,” said varsity head coach Bill Miller. “The team was balanced with a freshman running back and linebacker, sophomores, juniors and a sprinkling of determined, hardworking seniors who exhibited remarkable team- work, and unwavering per- severance in each game they played.”
The players commitment to each other and continued improvement was evident in every practice session, translating
into their performances on game day. The collective team passion for the sport drove them to overcome challenges, earning them the well-deserved title of an undefeated season. Indeed, the Monday Group’s dedication fostered an environment where every player thrived, honing their skills while contributing to the team's success.
For the rest of the story, see the November 23, 2023 edition.
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