Sentinel file photo
Derry Township residents gathered to share concerns during the township supervisors’ meeting on Monday.

LEWISTOWN — Residents of Woodland Avenue in Derry Township raised concerns about a neighboring property during the township supervisors’ meeting Monday.

Resident Ray Campbell raised concerns that a neighbor living in the 400 block of Woodland Avenue keeps five dogs outside “all day and all night,” resulting in constant barking. Campbell asked officials what steps could be taken to resolve the issue.

Four neighbors attended the meeting alongside Campbell, and a fifth submitted a statement but was unable to attend due to illness. Several residents described ongoing disturbances, including prolonged barking at all hours.

One neighbor who lives adjacent to the property said her daughter’s bedroom window faces the dogs, making it difficult for her to sleep without using a white noise machine. Two residents said they have video recordings documenting the barking, including one taken from three houses away.

Neighbors also raised additional concerns about the property, including alleged hoarding conditions and claims that the home is “condemned” and in violation of fire codes.

Township Manager Kelly Shutes acknowledged the property has been the subject of multiple complaints and violations.

Residents said they have contacted police several times. One neighbor noted the property owner previously faced charges after a dog allegedly got loose and bit a child.

Another resident said the noise prevents neighbors from spending time outdoors, describing the barking as occurring “from the minute you wake up to all hours of the night.”

Some residents questioned whether local or state laws limit how long dogs can be kept outdoors and expressed concern for the animals’ welfare during extreme weather conditions.

Chairman Ronald Napikoski said the township is in the process of adopting the National Property Maintenance Code, which could provide additional enforcement tools for nuisance properties, though it may not directly address animal-related issues.

“It will make it illegal for certain things to occur and give us more leverage to help manage nuisance properties,” Napikoski said, noting the process will take time.

In the meantime, Napikoski encouraged residents to attend the regional police department meeting scheduled for 4:30 p.m. May 14 to raise concerns directly with the police chief.

In other business, supervisors approved a request for PennDOT to conduct a traffic study on a congested section of Parcheytown Road (State Route 2005). The request was submitted by a township resident seeking a speed limit reduction from 35 mph to 25 mph.

Supervisors also approved payment application No. 4 for $4,978.45 and payment application No. 5 for $10,150.64 to SLC Excavating for work on the mini golf course project, as well as payment application No. 3 for $90,200 to Harris Golf.