Mayor Dave Fleisher at the Nov. 10 council meeting. The ordinance was approved on first reading at council’s last session on Oct. 27.
Township council has postponed until December a second reading and public hearing on an ordinance that would amend township zoning regulations on solar energy.
The ordinance was approved on first reading at the last council session on Oct. 27. If it eventually passes, the measure would repeal and replace the township’s existing section on solar energy to update standards for various types of installations.
The change would be made with the goal of supporting solar projects that are both a part of the state’s Community Solar Energy Program and that provide benefits to the program’s subscribers, including residents who have low or moderate incomes.
New standards would also facilitate the development of projects that serve the on-site energy needs of a property’s principal use, whether residential, commercial or public. The ordinance also outlines standards for all ground-mounted solar systems: They cannot exceed 12 feet in height and must be screened off from adjacent property lines and public roads, sidewalks and trails with landscaping or opaque fencing.
The new second reading and public hearing on the issue will take place at the Dec. 8 council meeting.
Council also approved two redemption amusement games licenses for the 2026 calendar year for Chuck E. Cheese and Lucky Strike Bowling.
Since the October council meeting was the first after election day on Nov. 4, Mayor Dave Fleisher spoke about the reelection of council President William Carter III. Councilwomen Sangeeta Doshi and Jill Hulnick congratulated newly elected member Rob Connor, who will join the body in January.
“Tremendous progress has been made over the last two years, which would not be possible without the leadership and partnership of all of our council members, including those who were reelected last week,” said Fleisher.
He also addressed the issue of food insecurity in the community caused by the government shutdown and the resulting delay in November’s SNAP allotment, and asked for donations to the township’s Thanksgiving food drive, which runs through Sunday. The shutdown ended last week.
“Food insecurity is not a new problem in our community,” Fleisher explained. “Uncertainty that has surrounded the SNAP nutritional program … has created even greater urgency for our residents in need at this time of year.”
Several council members echoed the mayor’s sentiment, emphasizing the need for donations.
“It’s a wonderful time to give back, and I know my family cleaned out our pantry last weekend and had a lot of good giveaways for those in need,” Doshi said, “so hopefully the community can help with that.”
The mayor and several council members also made their gratitude for veterans and active-duty service members known in honor of Veterans Day.
“I sincerely hope that our veterans are appreciated and supported, because they certainly do deserve it,” said Councilman Daniel DiRenzo.
