McGrath to lead board in 2018

Kimberly J. McGrath remains at the helm of the Amity Township Board of Supervisors for 2018.

She was unanimously reelected to the position by her fellow supervisors at the board’s Jan. 2 reorganization meeting.

Supervisor Paul R. Weller was absent from the meeting.

McGrath has served as chairperson since 2013, as well as in 2009. She was elected to the board in 2005, 2011, and in 2017. Her board leadership began as vice chairperson in 2008, and from 2010 through 2012.

Previously, McGrath served as EMS Liaison and Recycling Coordinator from 2005 through 2007.

Supervisor David Hackett was unanimously appointed vice chairman on Jan. 2.

The board unanimously ap-

proved to increase the township’s building permit cost from $4 to $4.50.

Township Manager Troy Bingaman and Code Enforcement Officer Steven Loomis said future “popup” fireworks retailers will now need to obtain building permits and site plan reviews prior to pitching their temporary tents.

“In the past, it was just ‘novelty’ fireworks,” said Loomis, adding, “It’s now a different item — with a possible need to store [and other issues].”

He said the township must do a plan review for each new retailer, due to the varying consumer fireworks that retailers are now permitted to sell to Pennsylvania residents.

The expanded fireworks sales are the result of a state revenue package signed by Gov. Tom Wolf on Oct. 30.

According to the American Pyrotechnics Association, consumer fireworks include ground or handheld sparkling devices, cylindrical fountains, cone fountains, illuminating torches, wheels, ground spinners, flitter sparklers, toy smoke devices or wire sparkler/dipped sticks.

Also included are aerial devices such as sky rockets, bottle rockets, missile-type rockets, helicopter or aerial spinners, roman candles, mine and shell devices and aerial shell kits, and audible ground devices such as firecrackers and chasers.

Since 2004, the state’s fireworks law has allowed state residents to only purchase novelty fireworks such as fountains, sparklers, spinners, and smoke bombs.

Public Works Maintenance Superintendent Patrick Moore said the four, new high definition security cameras at Lake Drive Park are working well, particularly at night.

The board approved in November the $8,895 camera purchase from MQ2 Security, LLC, Birdsboro.

Board members said the cameras have “nighttime capabilities” and a storage unit that can be remotely monitored, which aid police in apprehending vandals at the park.

Cameras are connected to the existing camera system and video can be rewound on a DVR.

Amity Police continue to monitor the park for illegal activity.