Supervisors decline PennDOT sidewalk project request
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LEWISTOWN -- Derry Township Supervisors declined a request from PennDOT seeking to move forward with a sidewalk project.
According to Roadmaster Justin Allen, PennDOT stated in an email that it is necessary to install a section of sidewalk on Jacks Creek Bridge at the intersection of Route 322 and Jacks Creek Road and enter into a sidewalk maintenance agreement.
Officials, as well as the roadmaster, do not believe the project is necessary and agreed that no one walks on that bridge.
"I really don’t want it. I don’t see the purpose of it," said Derry Township Vice Chairman Donald Warntz II.
According to officials, it would create an extra expense for the township, require additional sidewalk maintenance including snow removal and is not necessary.
"If people walked down there, I could see it, but we never see foot traffic down there," Allen agreed.
According to Township Manager Kelly Shutes, PennDOT completed a traffic study on Parcheytown Road and determined that a speed limit change is not warranted. The speed limit remains 35 miles per hour.
In other business, the board continued discussing ending its contract with Bureau Veritas and potentially hiring a new building code inspector.
During their October meeting, supervisors heard from Mike Gensemer, manager of Building Inspection Underwriters of Pennsylvania, located in New Bloomfield, Perry County, who presented a proposal for officials to review.
Officials said they have been exploring available building code inspection services for permitting residential and commercial construction in the township.
Although the township currently uses Bureau Veritas for third-party inspections, the board is investigating other companies that provide similar services.
“We look at costs for permitting, turnaround time for issuance of permits and quality of the services provided,” Shutes explained.
Solicitor Tim Searer said the contract itself is bona fide, but he has concerns regarding the fee schedule that he would like clarified before approval. Officials therefore decided to table the item.
Officials also said Bureau Veritas intends to close its Mifflin County office by the end of 2026.