News

Case #230001 is continued to Tuesday, April 18th from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at the EASD Middle School Auditorium (600 E. High Street, Elizabethtown). The meeting will begin with an Executive Session to discuss legal matters between the Zoning Hearing Board and its Solicitor. The continued hearing will resume afterwards.

ZHB Case #230001 – Applicant: PDC Northeast LPIV, LLC, 2442 Dupont Drive, Irvine, CA 92612 – Landowner: Franklin B. Greiner, Jr., 1650 Steel Way, Mount Joy, PA 17552 – Property Information: Tax Parcel ID #461-89922-0-0000, located at 2843 Mount Pleasant Road, Mount Joy, PA 17552 and within the LI, Light Industrial District – Applicant is seeking approval of the following section of Chapter 135 of the Code of Ordinances of the Township of Mount Joy, i.e. the Mount Joy Township Zoning Ordinance of 2012, as amended: special exceptions pursuant to Article XVII, §135-163.B & §135-163.C to permit an industrial use on the subject property. The applicant desires to construct a 1,006,880-sf. warehouse and associated improvements.

Location of Middle School Auditorium entrance

October 24, 2022 in Government

Zoning Ordinance Amendment Petition: General Industrial District/Warehouses (Panattoni)

Petition to Amend the Zoning Ordinance – Warehouses/Panattoni – GI District

Revised Ordinance to Amend the Zoning Ordinance, as submitted by applicant (dated 11/29/2022)

Zoning Hearing Board application (NOTE: hearing moved from 1/4/2023 to 1/17/2023)

Timeline:

1/23/2023 – Planning Commission initial view of proposed building #1

~~1/25/2023 – Board of Supervisors Public Hearing for proposed ordinance (6:30 P.M. at the EASD Middle School Auditorium – 600 E. High St.)~~

1/17/2023 – Zoning Hearing for proposed warehouse at 2843 Mount Pleasant Road (6:00 P.M. at the EASD Middle School Auditorium – 600 E. High St.)

12/5/2022 – Planning Commission review of proposed ordinance (7:00 P.M. at the EASD Middle School Auditorium – 600 E. High St.)

11/28/2022 – Planning Commission meeting RESCHEDULED TO DEC. 5 @ 7:00 P.M.

10/17/2022 – Board of Supervisors accepted petition to amend the Zoning Ordinance

Conceptual site plan submitted with zoning petition.

October 6, 2022 in Community, Government

EMS Crisis Calls for Local Solution

Municipalities in Pennsylvania are responsible for many things – parks and recreation facilities, police services, snow removal and stormwater management to name a few. But did you know that municipalities are also required by state law to ensure the provision of emergency medical services? They are. And EMS services in our community, and our region, are in jeopardy.

The Local EMS Crisis

EMS services in our community are provided by Northwest EMS, a non-profit organization. Northwest EMS was recognized in 2020 as the Pennsylvania EMS Agency of the Year, awarded by the Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council and the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Unfortunately, however, the organization’s future is at risk. Why? Insufficient revenue from subscriptions, municipal contributions and insurance reimbursements, combined with rising costs.

Northwest EMS has operated at a deficit for the past six years. These deficits have been covered by proceeds from the organization’s investments, but those investments continue to decline. The expected deficit for 2022 is over $500,000. Unless this crisis is addressed, Northwest EMS will be insolvent in a few years.

Northwest EMS is not alone. This is a state-wide crisis and other areas of the state are faced with losing essential emergency services, or facing reductions in service and long wait times, for what could be life-or-death situations.

The Local Solution

Municipal leaders in the region and Northwest EMS’ Board of Directors have been meeting since 2018 to confront this crisis. At the start of 2021, a committee of municipal leaders and Northwest EMS leaders began studying the situation in earnest and exploring alternatives.

The committee is proposing the creation of a regional Emergency Services Authority to address the challenges that jeopardize essential emergency services in our community and fulfill the statutory requirement for municipalities to provide EMS services with more fiscal stability. As a collaboration among municipalities, the Authority would provide emergency medical services and EMS administrative support to municipalities throughout its service area. It is believed to be the best step forward, and the most fiscally responsible option, to ensure that EMS services continue to be available, potentially saving your life or the life of your loved one.

Community Funded

As proposed, the authority creates an opportunity to replace municipal contributions and membership contributions with a reasonable and uniform annual fee to property owners, on par with today’s Northwest EMS subscription rates.

The annual fee is estimated to be between $70-$85 per residential housing unit (or $6-7 per month). Separate tiers would be set for commercial and institutional properties.

Founding municipalities would each have representation on the Authority’s Board, which once incorporated will be responsible for determining the actual fees. The Authority would advertise and hold public hearings to allow the community to have a voice on proposed services and rates. The community will then continue to have a voice in the Authority, even after it is formed.

EMS Services You’ll Receive

What would you receive from the regional Emergency Services Authority?

Readiness to answer calls if emergency medical services are needed
No residual bills for EMS services if your insurance pays toward an ambulance bill
50% off your ambulance bill if you have no insurance or if your entire bill goes toward your insurance deductible

The regional Emergency Services Authority would become the new entity to provide EMS in our community. The Authority would consist of the same outstanding people and deliver the same outstanding service for which Northwest EMS is known.

Learn More and Support EMS

Municipalities that have passed resolutions indicating interest in exploring and possibly joining the regional Emergency Services Authority are Clay Township, Conewago Township, Conoy Township, East Donegal Township, Elizabethtown Borough, Elizabeth Township, Manheim Borough, Marietta Borough, Mount Joy Township, Penn Township, Rapho Township and West Donegal Township.

While the EMS crisis and proposed regional Emergency Services Authority has been discussed at numerous public meetings and reported in local news media, you are encouraged to learn more by visiting SavingEMSforNWLancaster.org. There you’ll find frequently asked questions and an anticipated timeline.

Based on the current timeline for the proposed Authority, the earliest EMS services would transition from Northwest EMS to the new Authority is the start of 2024. Northwest EMS will continue to provide EMS services to our community in 2023 and will be conducting its annual subscription campaign this fall to help fund its operations for the year. Please watch your mailbox for Northwest EMS’s subscription mailer and consider subscribing for 2023.

EMS is an essential public service. It is essential that, as a community, we ensure that emergency services continue to be ready and available to answer the call.

March 24, 2023 in Community

EAWA – Rain Barrel Sale

The Elizabethtown Area Water Authority is holding their 5th Rain Barrel Sale now through May 1, 1023 for residents in Elizabethtown Borough, Mount Joy Township and West Donegal Township. The cost is $85.00, and MUST be paid at time of order. Details are on their website (www.etown-water.com) under “Special Announcements”. The rain barrel is on display in their lobby.

March 21, 2023 in Help Wanted

Full-time Help Wanted: Public Works Crew Member

Mount Joy Township is looking for a motivated individual to join our Public Works crew to perform maintenance and construction activities on Township roads, parks and properties. This includes operating Township vehicles and small tools and equipment utilized in the following and other activities as directed by the Township Roadmaster:

1. Perform manual labor on Township construction and maintenance projects.

2. Serve as a helper on power equipment; assist in the servicing and repair of equipment.

3. Assist with painting and carpentry, maintain Township properties, and cut and trim grass.

4. Maintain drainage swales, clean out culverts, fill in washouts.

5. Respond to emergency situations pertaining to Township roads and infrastructure, as directed by the Roadmaster.

A PA Commercial Drivers License is required or the candidate must be able to obtain a CDL promptly after being hired. This is a full-time position with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, and more. The hourly wage is based on experience and qualifications. If interested, please pick up and submit an application to the Mount Joy Township Municipal Office located at 8853 Elizabethtown Road or email Township Manager Justin Evans with any questions at Justin@mtjoytwp.org.

March 6, 2023 in Community

Northwest Region Comprehensive Plan – Public Input Survey

Mount Joy Township and our regional partners have been working on the background of the Northwest Region Comprehensive Plan and need to hear from YOU! Last spring a public input survey was circulated to the community by the area municipalities. But we know there are many more voices to be heard from.

The survey is back to hear from more of the community. If you completed it last year, please do it again. Your feedback helps us understand the issues that are important to you. By responding to this survey, you will help shape the future of our region – and preserve the places and things we love about Lancaster County.

Survey

Link to Lancaster County Planning Department’s Survey Landing Page

The 5 Big Ideas

The Lancaster County comprehensive plan (called places2040) and the plan for the Northwest Region focus on five big ideas or goals:

Creating Great Places is all about making Lancaster County a place we’re proud to call home. We do this by keeping our communities safe and vibrant, but also by ensuring that our residents have options when it comes to housing, transportation, and jobs. Great places create a sense of belonging and serve as the backbone to our local economies.
Connecting People, Place, and Opportunity means connecting students with schools, jobs with housing, or workers with jobs. Our transportation network should also include more safe ways for people, bicycles, and public transport to get around.
Taking Care of What We Have is about preserving the things that make Lancaster County a special place: our farmland, natural areas, and urban places. We should also protect our farmers, support new and existing businesses, improve water quality, and maintain public utilities.
Growing Responsibly helps us to accommodate the growth we expect to see by 2040. Much of that growth actually comes from within Lancaster County. We need to grow where we’re already growing, limit large suburban lots in rural areas, and build more compact communities.
Thinking Beyond Boundaries is about doing things differently. Rather than looking at municipal borders as a barrier, we should see our communities as part of the bigger picture. Working together regionally is an important part of thinking beyond boundaries.

January 25, 2023 in Community, Government

Comprehensive Plan Update Committee Members Needed

As part of the Elizabethtown area’s regional comprehensive planning efforts, Mount Joy Township is assembling a committee to participate in the plan update process. The Board of Supervisors is accepting nominations for committee members to be considered at the February 20, 2023 Board meeting. Interested members of the public should complete the Application for Appointment form and email it to Township Manager Justin Evans (justin@mtjoytwp.org) or bring it to the Township Office at 8853 Elizabethtown Road.

Application for Appointment

January 17, 2023 in Government

Pennmark Shopping Center – Development Files

Traffic Impact Study: Volume 1 (part 1) (part 2) (part 3) / Volume 2 / Volume 3

Traffic Report / Landscaping & Lighting / Building Rendering / Building Elevations

September 20, 2022 in Road Closures

(PennDOT) Resurfacing Project Continues on Route 230 (Market Street)

A 2.3-mile resurfacing project is set to continue next week on Route 230 (Market Street) in Elizabethtown Borough, Lancaster County. Weather permitting, the contractor will begin working at night on Sunday, September 18.

Night work includes milling, paving, sawing and sealing joints and pavement markings. Motorists may encounter lane closures under flagging Sunday nights through Friday nights between the hours of 6:00 PM and 6:00 AM.

Access will be maintained to residences and businesses. Some side streets may be closed depending on the location the contractor is working.

Motorists should be alert and drive with caution through the work zone.

This work is part of a project consisting of roadway and shoulder resurfacing, milling, base replacement, minor drainage improvements, sign updates, new pavement markings, and other miscellaneous construction on Route 230 from Mill Road in West Donegal Township, through Elizabethtown Borough to just east of Shaeffer Road in Mount Joy Township.

This project is expected to be completed by November 1, 2022.

New Enterprise Stone and Lime Co., Inc., of New Enterprise, PA, is the prime contractor on this $1,696,077 project.

Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.

Filter results:

The 5 Big Ideas