Motorsports park plan is not proceeding
Board hires new township manager
UNION TWP. >> The township board of supervisors received notice at a recent meeting that the Liberty Bell Motorsports Park plan is not proceeding.
Township Solicitor Frederick K. Hatt said the township received a letter in April from attorney William F. Fox Jr., informing that Ethan Michael, Inc. will not proceed with land development plans for the proposed Liberty Bell Motorsports Park.
Louis J. Mascaro submitted land development plans to the township in 2000 to build the motor sports park and adjoining campgrounds on 300 of the 668 acres he owns along Route 724.
Hatt said EMI received preliminary plan approval on Jan. 20, with no conditions.
That approval followed more than 10 years of public hearings regarding noise and traf-
fic, a zoning approval -then a denial, and later an approval for the project on land zoned agricultural preservation.
The campgrounds plan was later withdrawn.
The supervisors also unanimously approved Jason Wager as new township manager, effective June 3. His annual salary is $61,000.
Wager replaces Michelle Kehoe, who resigned on March 28.
He will also serve as secretary/treasurer and Rightto-Know Officer.
Kehoe was hired in June 2014 to replace longtime township manager Carol Lewis.
Deputy Roadmaster Kenneth Geiger retired on June 4.
Geiger served the township for 23 years and was Deputy Roadmaster for four years.
The board unanimously approved to extend to road crew member, Carl W. Weikel, Sr., the position of deputy roadmaster on a 90-day trial period.
Board members also approved to advertise for a new, full-time road crew/ maintenance member.
The board unanimously approved to advertise changes to the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO) regarding changing the definition of lot coverage.
Hatt said other municipalities have had people who wanted to pave “every inch.”
“The concern was of porous paving -- water was not going through,” said Hatt.
“You’re getting to do less and less with your property,” said Supervisor Nelson L. Ott, Jr., adding, “Next thing will happen is this board will say what color homes should be.”
“I think we need to stop protecting everyone,” said Ott, adding, “I’ve sat here for eight years, and this