On Monday evening, Douglass Township held its first of two monthly Board of Supervisors meetings.

            Jaimie Magaziner, from the Montgomery County Planning Commission, presented the board and residents with an update of the landscape ordinance. The rewriting of the ordinance has been in process for a few years. The language was changed to include landscaping that will minimize development disturbance, promote conservation and assist with stormwater management.

            It also has an updated plant list for landscaping, buffer planting and parking lots. The ordinance refers to the DCNR invasive/noxious plant list. This list is more comprehensive and will help to protect native plant species and habitat.

            Vice Chairman Tom Wynne thanked Magaziner for her hard work to get this ordinance done.

            "Thank you. This is for the betterment of the township. It's better than what we had before." 

            The supervisors will review a clean final draft of the ordinance. Solicitor Robert Brant was authorized to advertise the ordinance at the next meeting.

            Brant also presented the board with an update on the fire company building and property. The solicitor drafted a letter to the board outlining the steps that need to be taken. The township needs to formally file paperwork stating lot consolidation. This paperwork will need to be recorded with the deed to the property.

            A lease agreement between the township, fire department and police department will also be written. A portion of the building will include space for the Douglass Police Department.

            Chairman Joshua Stouch presented Andrew Duncan of Emergency Services with a certificate of completion for the Emergency Medical Services Coordinator of Douglass Township. There are three major steps to complete the certification process. Stouch thanked Duncan for his many hours and years of dedicated service to the township.

            The supervisors reminded residents of voting location changes in the township. District 1 will remain at Shepherd of the Hills Church at 527 Hoffmansville Road. District 2 will vote at Shepherd of the Hills Church. Districts 3 and 4 will vote at Tri-County Bible Church located at 142 Buchert Road.

            Stouch requested that all residents please vote despite the change in polling locations. "Voting is the core of our Republic," said Stouch.

            An executive session was held at the beginning of the meeting to discuss real estate and personnel matters. No decisions were made.