The New Hanover Board of Supervisors on Monday authorized attorney Bob Brant to appeal the decision of the zoning hearing board to grant a special exception for Bucks County-based Gibraltar Rock to quarry an additional 25 acres in the township.

            The zoning hearing board made its decision earlier this month, allowing the quarry to operate on the tract that lies between Church and Hoffsmansville Road and at Colflesh Road. The approval includes 16 conditions, including those that seek to protect air quality, groundwater cleanliness and availability and other concerns raised by residents. 

            However, Brant and attorney Rowan Keenan, who represents the Ban the Quarry group, argued that the quarry would further exacerbate the groundwater pollution that already exists near the site.

            Brant said, "I cannot tell the board what to do," but he explained that if officials did not approve an appeal on the zoning board conditions, the township would be limited in its ability to intervene if Gibraltar Rock appeals the conditions. An appeal filed by the board of supervisors would allow township officials to define what issues come before the court, rather than locking them in to only the issues that Gibraltar raises.

            With that, supervisor Marie Livelsberger made a motion to authorize Brant to go ahead with the appeal, with a second by Kurt Zebrowski. The supervisors voted unanimously for the appeal.

           "The appeal would not be a frivolous appeal," Brant said.

            In roads news, Public Works Director Dennis Flynn reported that his crew finished paving Hildebrandt Road and stated that Courtside Road would be paved in October. The crew received several positive comments and thanks for the work on Hildebrandt Road.

            In engineering news, Township Engineer Dave Leh noted that he had informed the developer of the New Hanover Town Center, "There's still a lot that needs to be addressed on the plan before any high level discussion," and specifically before the developer returns to the planning commission.

            Traffic Engineer Sandy Koza also stated that the Town Center will be delayed until the developer addresses all of the outstanding comments on the plan.

            Koza reported on the progress of the traffic signal at Swamp Pike and Fegleysville Road, and said that the project is delayed until the signal equipment arrives. The signal may not be completed until the end of the year.

            In fire company news, the supervisors approved a waiver of application for a variance for the new building project.

            Gary Bloch, a longtime member of the company, was appointed to the Special Fire Police.

            In parks and recreation news, Chair Rob Rinehart reported the "best turn out ever" for the township's Fall Frolic. Supervisor Chuck Garner also noted the "record crowds" at the Sept. 9 event, and added "I want to thank everyone who helped out."

            In other news, supervisors honored Kevin Jackmore with the presentation of a certificate for the completion of his Eagle Scout project at the Recreation Center and Hickory Park, which included the reconstruction of the greenhouse and landscaping beds. Jackmore is a member of Troop 367 and is the son of Linda Jackmore, a township employee.