New Hanover Township officials took another step in preserving open space in the township.  At last Thursday's meeting, solicitor Andrew Bellwoar held a public hearing on the Suloman farm conservation easement. The farm is located on Leidy Riad betweeb Buchert Road and Swamp Pike.  It consists of five parcels of 34.5 acres total, with 1.16 acres subtracted for the farm's retail operation, leaving 33.4 acres in the easement.  The family will continue to own and farm the property. 

            The cost to the township is $700,000 in open space funds, derived from .15 mill open space tax on earned income.

            Heading into summer, New Hanover Township's public works department will be keeping busy with paving projects.  Department director Dennis Flynn reported on his schedule for paving at the township.

            His crew will be chip sealing Henning Road and fog sealing the developments the week of May 28; paving Ludwig Road the week of June 17; and Sassamansville Road the week of June 24.

            In other roads-related news, township manager Jamie Gwynn reported that New Hanover was in the receipt of $500,000 in state funds toward the 663/73 intersection renovation project. The total cost of the project is $640,000.  "We now have more funds to do other things we need to do," stated Gwynn.

            The supervisors also decided to take no action on the request of PennDOT to take dedication of the New Hanover Square Bridge when the repairs are completed.

            In municipal authority news, Superintendent Greg Rapp reported that his department is surveying leaks from laterals to determine if the problems are on the public or private sides.

            In conservation news, solicitor Andrew Bellwoar held a public hearing on the Suloman farm conservation easement. The farm consists of five parcels of 34.5 acres total, with 1.16 acres subtracted for the farm's retail operation, leaving 33.4 acres in the easement.  The family will continue to own and farm the property.  The cost to the township is $700,000 in open space funds, derived from .15 mill open space tax on earned income.

            The county requested a letter of interest from the supervisors for the conservation of Camp Laughing Waters, the Girl Scout camp that occupies 455 acres in New Hanover and Lower Frederick, with the majority in New Hanover. The County has pledged over $2.7 million and is seeking funds from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for an additional $1.1 million.

            In engineering news, the supervisors voted to retain the services of Gilmore Associates as township engineers for the remainder of 2019, and also the firm Alta as township planners.

            In parks and recreation news, the township will be holding an egg hunt at the Community Park this Saturday, April 13 at 10:00 am. Five thousand eggs have been stuffed and are ready to go.

            The supervisors met in executive session prior to the meeting to discuss real estate, personnel, and litigation, and following the meeting to discuss potential litigation and litigation.