Chestnuthill resident questions repair shop vote
Chestnuthill Township resident Ken Murray raised concerns over a potential conflict of interest during the board of supervisors meeting, questioning Supervisor Eric Snyder’s involvement in a planned repair shop project on Firehouse Lane.
“I will not go away. I want to know the definition of ‘conflict of interest,’ ” Murray said, referring to neighboring Christosa Holdings’ proposal and Snyder’s recusal from decisions about the project.
Snyder is employed by Keystone Consulting Engineers, the firm completing the project.
Murray claimed that Snyder voted in favor of Township Engineer Chris McDermott — who has served in that role since 2008 — alleging it was inappropriate for Keystone to be doing the engineering work.
“The plans are changing, not anything like what they said at the conditional use hearing,” Murray added.
Township Solicitor F. Andrew Wolfe clarified: “The Planning Commission makes recommendations to the supervisors. Mr. Snyder and Mr. McDermott work for different offices.”
In other business:
• The Chestnuthill Historical Society will resume activity and begin work on the Merwinsburg Hotel.
“It’s a big project, we have to do the basics,” said township Manager Dave Albright.
Grants for the hotel began in 2009 and current funds will be used to relocate the entrance for safety and to build accessible restrooms.
• The West End Fire Company reported 40 incidents in May and 219 year-to-date.
• Chestnuthill Park will hold a summer camp from June 23 through Aug. 1. A dog training event is scheduled for Aug. 16, and a concert in the park is also planned, with the date to be announced.
• Bids were accepted for various types of stone and binder materials.
• A request from Wawa for the release of final security in the amount of $15,507.93 was approved.
• Requests from Rite Aid and PV Assembly of God regarding stormwater facility and security release were tabled pending additional information.
• The next meeting of the Chestnuthill Board of Supervisors will be held at 7 p.m. June 17.