Sentinel photo by SIERRA BOLGER
Mike Leeper presents the board with signatures of residents opposing a presumed data center.

LEWISTOWN — Questions about the proposed data center and township operations once again dominated Monday’s Granville Township Supervisors meeting, where residents pressed officials on transparency, personnel matters and records practices.

Several residents questioned whether township officials have been forthcoming about matters related to the proposed data center, while others raised concerns about staffing and administrative procedures.

Resident Nathan Fisher asked supervisors to clarify the role former township solicitor Seth T. Moseby and his law firm played in matters related to the proposed data center. Specifically, Fisher asked whether Moseby or his firm represented any property owners, developers or other parties connected to the project and, if so, whether any potential conflicts of interest were disclosed or addressed by the township.

Fisher also questioned whether Moseby’s departure as township solicitor was connected to the proposed project.

In addition, Fisher asked whether any supervisors had signed a non-disclosure agreement related to a proposed data center. All three supervisors responded that they had not.

Fisher also questioned why Resolution Nos. 2025-3 and 2025-4 do not appear in the township’s online records, asking whether the numbers had been skipped intentionally or whether records were incomplete.

Township Solicitor Fred Lighty said he was unaware of the missing resolution numbers. He also reminded attendees that the public comment portion of the meeting does not require supervisors to respond to questions.

Resident Cori Hockenberry raised concerns regarding the township’s manager and secretary Mary Herto’s service as chairwoman of the Mifflin County Municipal Authority Board, alleging the Juniata Terrace Borough has not received adequate representation.

Hockenberry also questioned whether Herto attended authority meetings during township work hours while receiving compensation from both entities, suggesting that taxpayers should be reimbursed if that occurred.

In addition, Hockenberry questioned the township’s handling of Right-to-Know requests and compliance with Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Act, asking what penalties the township could face if violations occurred.

Hockenberry also said the township website lists Ashley Baxter as the township’s open records officer, while state records list Herto in that role.

Resident Mike Leeper presented supervisors with an updated petition opposing a proposed data center, saying it now contains 6,840 signatures — an increase of approximately 3,000 signatures since the previous township meeting.

Supervisors also acknowledged receiving numerous emails from residents regarding the proposed data center.

Hockenberry asked why the emails were not read aloud during the meeting. Supervisor William Page said he had not had time to review all of them but noted they are available online for the public to read.

The emails include correspondence from multiple residents expressing opinions both for and against issues related to the proposed data center.

The next meeting regarding the proposed data center is scheduled for 6 p.m. July 16 at the Granville Event Center.

In other business, supervisors approved June department reports, including the accounts summary, road, police, code enforcement and overtime reports. The board also approved a transfer of funds and an agreement with Ruggieri Enterprises LLC, doing business as Spherion, for temporary staffing services.

Supervisors approved the hiring of Keith Fetterhoof as a patrol officer/code enforcement officer and said one position remains vacant.

The board also accepted the resignation of the township’s assistant secretary/treasurer, Ashley Baxter.

In her resignation letter, provided to The Sentinel, Baxter said workplace conditions had made it increasingly difficult to perform her duties.

“I can no longer continue working in an environment characterized by a lack of professionalism, dishonesty, manipulation and conduct that has undermined both workplace morale and mutual respect,” Baxter wrote.

Before approving the June meeting minutes, Supervisor Terry Stewart said he wanted additional time to review them because he had only received them earlier that day.

When Hockenberry questioned why the minutes were not already posted online, Herto said township policy is to post minutes after they have been approved by supervisors.

Stewart expressed concern that approving minutes without first reviewing them could allow errors or omissions to go unnoticed.

Lighty advised the board that it could proceed with approval under proper procedure. Stewart abstained from the vote, after which Page temporarily stepped down as chairman to second the motion approving the minutes.