By John Chambless
Staff Writer

Taxes will remain the same in Franklin Township next year after the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously at their Dec. 20 meeting to approve the rate. The township's fire hydrant tax will remain unchanged in 2018. The board also unanimously approved the final township budget for 2018.

Several zoning issues were addressed, notably the former market at 1762 New London Road. After months of neglect of the abandoned property, the township filed a civil complaint against the owner in District Court. On the day of the court date, the owners cleaned up the property. It is now in compliance. The Planet Aid collection boxes will be removed.

Board chairman John Auerbach commented that people continue to use the recycling area near the township building to dump non-recyclable items such as dishwashers and baby furniture. This costs the township money for proper disposal. Auerbach said he sometimes takes trash that is left at the recycling bins to the dump himself.

Dave Berger, organizer of the Harvest Run race, reported that the inaugural Harvest Run in October had a good turnout, with 220 participants. The Friday night 5K was run on the Geoghegan Trail, which was in great shape, he told the board. The Saturday half-marathon was run on Franklin and London Britain roads, and there were plenty of volunteers to direct traffic. There were no injuries. Berger thanked the Wilkinson family, owners of Fox Chase Farm, with their help and for allowing him to host the event on their property. Berger asked to hold the race again next year, with the beneficiary being the Mason Dixon Greenway in London Britain, and the Peacedale Preserve in Franklin. The dates will be Oct. 12 and 13. Supervisor-elect Nancy Morris participated in the discussion, and the board approved the event for next year.

The board adopted a resolution to approve the Lexington Point Planning Module, allowing a submission to the DEP for review. Several Lexington Point residents participated in the discussion. Auerbach summarized the history of the planned 38-house subdivision that has only six houses built. Sandi Morgan, the township's sanitary engineer, answered questions about the development, as did the applicant’s engineer, Fred Ebert of Ebert Engineering. Nancy Morris and Bill Briegel from Keystone Custom Homes also participated. Morgan said that approving the Planning Module was an approval of the concept of the wastewater treatment system, and the details of the project will be followed closely as it develops.

Auerbach read a proclamation for supervisor Penelope Schenk, who will be leaving the board in January. He thanked her for her hard work and dedication during her six-year term.

During public comment at the beginnign of the meeting, resident Tracey Travis Lee told the board about unsafe conditions on Gypsy Hill Road. Cars and trucks travel at excessive speeds, she said, and cars and large trucks use Gypsy Hill Road as a cut-through. She asked about installing speed humps and reducing the speed limit on the road, and asked about posting a “No trucks” sign. Auerbach said he would take her comments under consideration, and said that the board will get back to her.

To contact Staff Writer John Chambless, email [email protected].