(2/2024) I hope everyone stayed warm and safe during our most recent winter weather events. Three snowstorms have happened since the start of the year. The Road Crew wants to thank everyone for their patience as we worked to get the roads cleared. We were able to utilize hot mix with magnesium chloride, which acts better in lower temperatures than salt to prevent freezing on the roads. We applied the hot mix with extra focus at intersections throughout the Township. As temperatures continue to be in the single digits, teens, and low twenties, it is important to be vigilant of black ice on the roads.

Our small Road Crew was out for almost 24 hours straight during these storms. Please remember to keep emergency supplies in your vehicle in case you break down. Some examples would be a blanket, hand warmers, extra water, food with a long shelf life (granola bars, protein bars, etc.), a power bank for your phone to keep it charged until help can come, gloves, hats, and other sustaining items. There is a tendency for a surge in house fires due to space heaters in the winter months. Be sure to plug your space heater directly to the wall outlet and do not use extension cords. Maintain at least three feet of clearance around the heater and ensure nothing is touching the space heater to help prevent fires.

Although our first major weather event was severe flooding within the region and not snow, it still poses significant risks to those driving. Many Liberty Township roads, and other local roads, were shut down for multiple hours to allow for the flooding to recede. The Road Department placed road closure signs, flooding signs, and barricades out on the affected roadways in our Township. I would like to remind residents and others who use the roads that the barricades we put up are for your safety. If you go around them and drive through the water, you are putting yourself and others in danger.

The water is very cold this time of year, which poses a risk to you and first responders. If you cannot see the blacktop through any standing water, please do not drive through it, even if the road has not yet been marked as closed. It may take a few extra minutes, but please turn around and access the road through a different entrance to protect yourself. For example, Wenschhof Road floods when there is a significant downfall of rain, that road has three points of access: one off Tract Road, one off Stultz Road, and one off Middle Creek Road in Freedom Township. Please allow extra time for commuting when there are severe weather events.

The Liberty Township Police Department is currently looking for additional part time police officers. Qualified applicants can contact the Police Department for an application and more information. The department email address is libertypd@libertytownshippa.org and the phone number is 717-642-6103.

As a gentle reminder, school taxes are due March 31st before they go into collections. You can submit your payments by mail, drop them in the drop box at the Township Office, or contact Jessica Ilko to schedule an appointment to pay them in person. Her information can be found on your tax bill.

As the year progresses, we are starting to slot out 2024 road projects. I have set up appointments with LTAP’s Jason Snyder for recommendations for Bullfrog Road and other areas within the Township. If we have room in our budget, one of my goals for the year is to put a blacktop overlay on Irishtown Road.

At the next Board of Supervisors meeting on February 6th, the Board will be considering outsourcing cleaning for the Township Building due to an overload on employees’ involvement. We want to allow our employees to be able to put all their focus on getting their daily tasks completed without having to worry about chores that are not in their job duties. The January Planning Commission meeting was cancelled due to the snow. The Planning Commission will hold its reorganization meeting on Tuesday, February 20th at 7:30 p.m.. I hope that residents come out and attend both meetings.

I want to thank those who voted to re-elect me for another 6-year term. I also want to thank those who decided to run for local office, and those who were re-appointed to their positions this year so they can help to continue to serve our Township. It is important to be involved in your local community. Resident involvement is necessary in order to determine specific local public needs and how these local needs can be met.

If public service is not for you, please find other ways to be involved in your community. Come out and show your support to our students. Fairfield High School and Middle School both have many student athletes representing us in basketball, wrestling, and other winter sports. With the weather being so cold, it is a great time to attend local indoor sporting events.