The Fruitville Road bridge is a historic structure, but its practicality is in question.

            The Upper Hanover Board of Supervisors discussed the future of the bridge at their Tuesday, October 8 regular meeting.

            Supervisor Ben Fiorito and township manager Stan Seitzinger recently attended a meeting with county engineers about the bridge, which Seitzinger described as "one of a kind." Its uniqueness has the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) involved. The agency, in the interest of historic preservation, wants to rehabilitate the existing bridge and save it.  The bridge is currently county-owned.

            The problem is it will never be able to accommodate emergency vehicles or school buses, even after rehabilitation.

            The supervisors want to make a case for a new bridge—either replacing the old bridge or possibly building a new one alongside the old span, and using the earlier bridge for pedestrians only.

            A new bridge would then become township-owned.

            Supervisor Fiorito commented, "One way or another, they're going to tell us whether the bridge gets rehabbed or replaced with a new up-to-date bridge."

            Seitzinger and his staff are going to organize a case for the latter to present to the county.

            In other bridge news, Seitzinger submitted receipts for $73,000 to the county for summer flood damage to township bridges, and is waiting to hear if any compensation is forthcoming.

            In development news, the supervisors discussed the installation of a trail in the township section of the proposed development on Hendricks Road called Kershner Village LLC.  The tract slated for development is split between the township and Red Hill, though no building will occur on the township section. The developer, represented by Chris Lash, is proposing a "kidney-shaped" walking trail "used for Environmental protection and passive recreation" which will be maintained by the development's homeowners' association.

            The trail will be able to be accessed by individuals who do not live in the development. The township planning commission has recommended support for the trail, and the supervisors also gave it their go-ahead.  Development is still in the conceptual stage.

            In fire company news, the township received funds for fire relief distribution to be given to each of the three companies that take care of the borough. Each company receives $17, 471. The township also provides $49,000 to each company annually.