Pictured rear row, left to right: Ken Martin, Phil Walsh

Pictured front row, left to right: Jennifer Clarke, Eric Fairchild, Karen Overly-Smith

At its March 18 meeting, the Upper Allen Township Board of Commissioners addressed a wide range of Township business, including development, public improvements, parks, public safety, and the ongoing discussion surrounding Bishop Road Bridge. 

The Board approved a revised land development plan for a new child care center at 1819 Gettysburg Pike. The project adds a 12,000-square-foot daycare building to the existing Penn State Health site, with officials noting that the smaller footprint reduces the scale of what had originally been planned. The motion passed unanimously, 5-0. 

Commissioners also approved awarding the CDBG curb ramp replacement contract to Pennsy Supply for $134,380. The project includes replacement of 16 ADA ramps, primarily on Geneva Drive, with additional work on Nanroc Drive. The vote passed 5-0. 

The Board then authorized advertising bids for the 2026 Roadway Improvements Project, a nearly $3 million package that includes paving, ADA ramp replacements, stormwater upgrades, sanitary sewer improvements, and replacement of the cross culvert on Nittany Drive at Spring Run Drive. Commissioners discussed the uncertainty of material pricing, including oil-related paving costs, but emphasized that authorizing bids does not commit the Township to awarding the project if costs come in too high. That motion also passed unanimously. 

The meeting’s longest discussion focused on Bishop Road Bridge. Township staff presented an option that would have asked Cumberland and York Counties to carefully disassemble the bridge, transfer ownership to Upper Allen Township, and allow the Township to store the bridge until funds could be raised to reconstruct it for vehicular use. Discussion included concerns about future costs, uncertainty around grants and donations, and the possibility that the Township could ultimately face financial responsibility if reconstruction did not occur. After extensive Board discussion and public comment, the proposal was defeated by a 3-2 roll call vote. Commissioners Walsh and Fairchild voted yes; Commissioners Clarke, Martin, and Overly Smith voted no. 

In the Parks and Recreation portion of the meeting, the Board considered next steps for Phase 2 of the Grantham Park project. Phase 2 includes a half-mile walking trail, parking lot upgrades, and stormwater improvements tied to a DCNR-supported accessibility effort. After discussion about cost priorities and the Township’s grant commitments, the Board voted 5-0 to move forward with preparing bid documents and advertising bids for the project.

Other highlights from the meeting included discussion of data center zoning, with Cumberland County representatives encouraging the Township to act proactively on ordinance language before a proposal is filed; updates on the Wildcat Foundation backpack program for students in need; and recognition of recent Parks Department accomplishments, including another statewide recreation award and leadership recognition for Parks Director Chad Krebs.

At its March 4, 2026 meeting, the Upper Allen Township Board of Commissioners approved routine business items, heard public comment on several community concerns, approved a residential development plan, advanced a sanitary sewer replacement project, approved a solar installation contract for the Township building, and filled multiple advisory board vacancies. 

Key Points

The Board approved the February 4, 2026 meeting minutes and approved invoice payments totaling $571,174.58. Major expenditures discussed included the McCormick Road Bridge project and employee health and life insurance. 

During public comment, residents spoke on Township transparency, the Bishop Bridge issue, support for Simpson Library, a proposed mural at the Winding Hill Park North concession stand, and food insecurity affecting local students. Commissioners expressed support for the mural project, with final design review to be coordinated through Township staff. 

In public safety updates, the Township announced that the new P25 emergency radio system is now live. Police leadership also reported continued coordination with the Mechanicsburg School District on school safety, crosswalks, bus patrol enforcement, and discussion of an additional District Resource Officer position. 

In planning matters, the Board approved the Stratton Park Townhomes preliminary/final subdivision and land development plan with 26 conditions. Discussion included driveway visibility, traffic access, parking restrictions, landscaping, geological review, and stormwater-related requirements. The Board also approved related deferral and modification requests. 

The Board approved a professional engineering services agreement with GHD, Inc. for the Gettysburg Pike and West Lisburn Road Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project in an amount not to exceed $87,700. Township staff said prior inspections found approximately 300 feet of sewer pipe in poor condition. 

Under administration, the Board approved a contract with Leer Electric for installation of a 421-panel solar array on the Township building at a cost not to exceed $627,726. The Board also authorized Maher Duessel, at a cost not to exceed $8,500, to prepare and file the IRS forms needed for the project’s clean energy tax credit. 

The Board also approved appointments to several Township advisory boards, including HARB, Parks and Recreation, Planning Commission, Police Civil Service Commission, Sewer Advisory Board, and the Zoning Hearing Board. The meeting ended with a Parks and Recreation update and an executive session for legal and personnel matters

The Board welcomed Allyson Appleby as the new Assistant Township Manager and recognized Lou Fazekas for his service during the Township’s recent administrative transition. Officials also provided a Bishop Road Bridge update, noting that PA SHPO supports transfer of the bridge to the Township, that a phased approach could begin with disassembly and storage, and that future reconstruction would depend on grants and donations. The Board also expressed a desire to minimize local tax funding for the project. 

The Board approved the January 21, 2026 meeting minutes with minor revisions and approved the consent agenda, including staff reports and invoice payments totaling $241,871.52. 

In public safety updates, Police reported that the new P25 radio system has been successfully implemented and announced a conditional hire of Dalton Manse to help address pending retirements. Fire officials reported 69 calls in January 2026, said call volume is trending upward from 2025, and noted early positive results from the volunteer stipend program. 

The Board approved a $50,942.90 change order for the McCormick Road Bridge replacement project after an underground powerline conflict delayed construction. Staff reported the project is about 95% complete, and the Township remains eligible for up to $134,371 in reimbursement through the County’s Small Bridge Grant. 

The Board also authorized advertising bids for the 2026 CDBG curb ramp replacement project along Geneva Drive and Nanroc Drive. The project includes $85,000 in Township budgeted funding and a $135,000 grant from the Cumberland County Housing and Redevelopment Authority. 

Township staff provided updates on two sanitary sewer projects planned for the year: the Pump Station No. 3 upgrade and a sanitary sewer pipe replacement project near Gettysburg Pike and Lisburn Road. 

During public comment, resident Cheryl Miller spoke about Bishop Road Bridge, raising concerns about taxpayer impact, public benefit, and whether preservation should rely on private donors or historical organizations rather than local tax dollars.

The Upper Allen Township Board of Commissioners met on January 21, 2026 and addressed a range of administrative, development, public safety, financial, and operational matters. During opening announcements, the Board highlighted the January 12 Bishop Bridge public forum, noted that no action was taken following the executive session held that evening, recognized a well-attended Birds of Prey program hosted with Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, and reported that Phase 1 of the Grantham Pond project was completed under budget at $660,130.10, about 88% of the original contract value. The Board also noted completion of Green Light-Go traffic signal improvements and ongoing preparation for the 2026 roadway improvement program, which is expected to include roadway rehabilitation, ADA ramp upgrades, stormwater work, and a cross-culvert replacement on Nittany Drive. 

The Board approved the December 17, 2025 meeting minutes with minor corrections. Under the consent agenda, the Board approved staff reports and the invoice distribution list totaling $540,658.76. The Board also approved two financial security reductions for the Autumn Chase Planned Residential Development. Phase 6 security was reduced from $375,742.29 to $190,011.82, and Phase 7 was reduced from $229,808.70 to $196,559.31, based on completed improvements verified through engineering inspection. 

In public safety updates, Township police reported ongoing preparation for the countywide transition to the new Motorola P25 radio system, with equipment received and training underway. The Fire Department reported 61 calls in December 2025, bringing the annual total to 800 calls, and noted that the department was the third busiest truck company in Cumberland County. Fire officials also shared that the new departmental incentive program, launched January 7, had already significantly improved response times. 

In planning and zoning matters, the Board approved a conditional use permit for a master sign plan at 121 Gettysburg Pike (Paul B.), with conditions including removal of signage from an existing trailer sign and limiting the proposed monument sign to Paul B. use only. The motion passed 4-0, with Commissioner Walsh abstaining. The Board also considered the Stratton Park Townhomes plan at 232 West Lisburn Road, a proposed 19-unit townhome development. After extensive discussion regarding traffic safety, emergency vehicle access, geology, and site maneuverability, the Board voted to postpone the plan until the March 4, 2026 meeting to allow more time for review. 

The Board then approved the Messiah University Lime Kiln Subdivision at 133 West Lisburn Road, including a waiver to allow the plan to be drawn at an alternate scale and approval of the combined preliminary/final subdivision plan subject to 28 staff conditions. The Board also approved an extension request from the Orchard Glen HOA until July 1, 2026, to submit a planting plan for a steep hillside lot while continuing coordination with the Chesapeake Bay Alliance on a grant-funded restoration project. 

On administrative matters, the Board reviewed a year-end budget summary showing increased General Fund revenues in 2025 and a major transfer to the Capital Reserve Fund. The Board also announced 2026 commissioner liaison assignments to Township advisory boards and committees. In staffing and operations, the Board approved extending an offer for the Assistant Township Manager position, adopted Resolution 1121 updating Township purchasing guidelines to reflect revised state thresholds, and approved a new managed IT services agreement with Appalachia Technologies, LLC, including a one-time onboarding cost of $9,048.25 and an estimated monthly cost of $9,897.80. 

In parks and recreation, the Board approved the purchase of a 2026 Kubota cabbed utility vehicle for the Parks Department at a cost not to exceed $42,453.67, to support year-round maintenance including trail snow removal and detention pond work. The Township Solicitor also provided an update on proposed Pennsylvania Sunshine Act legislation, and Commissioner Martin reported on the recent CapCOG annual dinner and reorganization. 

During public comment, discussion focused largely on the January 12 Bishop Bridge forum and the executive session that followed. A resident commended the forum as informative but raised questions about the legal basis and transparency of the executive session, referencing the Sunshine Act and requesting additional clarity from the Board and Solicitor. The meeting concluded without an executive session that evening and adjourned at 8:01 p.m. 

Key points:

• Grantham Pond Phase 1 was completed under budget.

• Green Light-Go traffic signal improvements were completed.

• Invoice list totaling $540,658.76 was approved.

• Autumn Chase Phase 6 and 7 financial security reductions were approved.

• Police and Fire provided updates on radio migration, call volume, and response improvements.

• Paul B. master sign plan was approved with conditions.

• Stratton Park Townhomes was postponed to March 4, 2026 for further review.

• Messiah University Lime Kiln Subdivision was approved.

• Orchard Glen HOA received an extension for a grant-supported planting plan.

• The Board moved forward with hiring an Assistant Township Manager, updated purchasing thresholds, and approved a new IT services agreement.

• Public comment centered on transparency and Sunshine Act questions related to Bishop Bridge executive session procedures.

On January 12, 2026, Upper Allen Township held a special public forum dedicated to Bishop Road Bridge. The meeting was scheduled as a standalone session of the Board of Commissioners and was intended to gather information, hear expert perspectives, and receive public comment regarding the bridge and its future. The forum took place after Cumberland County announced in December 2025 that the bridge’s planned demolition could not proceed under the existing permit and would require a different review and permitting process. Publicly posted notices described the event as an opportunity for the Board and the public to hear from planning and engineering representatives and then provide comment. Overall, the meeting served as an information and public input session during an active period of review rather than as a final decision point on the issue.

The Upper Allen Township Board of Commissioners held its biennial reorganization meeting on January 5, 2026, followed by its regular public meeting. During the meeting, newly elected Commissioners Jennifer Clarke and Karen Overly Smith were sworn into office. The Board then elected Eric Fairchild as Board President and Karen Overly Smith as Vice President. Several Township administrative, legal, engineering, and operational appointments were also approved as part of the reorganization process. 

As part of regular business, the Board approved prior meeting minutes and the consent agenda, including bills totaling $512,265.57. Officials also noted the completion of major work at Grantham Park and Pond, with the total project cost reported at approximately $669,000, supported in part by grant funding. A second phase of the project, including trail improvements, is planned for 2026. 

The Police Department reported that two newly selected officers would begin Police Academy training, while two additional officers had successfully completed probation and joined the force permanently. A traffic study is also underway on West Lisburn Road near Trout Run Park. The Fire Department reported that it had surpassed 800 calls in 2025, marking a new annual record. 

The Board also unanimously approved the scheduling of a public forum on Bishop Road Bridge for January 12, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. Township officials stated that no Board action would be taken at that forum, though the meeting would still be publicly advertised. 

During public comment, several residents spoke on the topic of Bishop Bridge. Comments raised questions related to project cost, long-term maintenance, liability, planning, funding sources, engineering standards, and overall public benefit. Residents also referenced the importance of the upcoming public forum as an opportunity to gather additional facts and information.   

Key Points

• Jennifer Clarke and Karen Overly Smith were sworn into office. 

• Eric Fairchild was elected Board President; Karen Overly Smith was elected Vice President. 

• The Board approved administrative and professional appointments during reorganization. 

• Bills totaling $512,265.57 were approved. 

• Grantham Park and Pond improvements were discussed, with additional trail work planned for 2026. 

• Police and fire officials provided staffing and service updates. 

• A public forum on Bishop Road Bridge was scheduled for January 12, 2026. 

• Public comment included questions and concerns regarding Bishop Bridge planning, cost, and long-term impact.