Adamstown public meetings in 2025

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission approved the minutes from the November 18 meeting unanimously. The final draft short‑term rental ordinance was approved and submitted to the Lancaster County Planning Commission for review, and a motion to recommend that Council advertise the draft was also passed unanimously. The Solid Waste Ordinance was tabled. The meeting was adjourned unanimously.

• Approved November 18 minutes (unanimous)
• Approved final draft short‑term rental ordinance and submitted to Lancaster County Planning Commission (unanimous)
• Recommended Council advertise the draft ordinance (unanimous)
• Tabled Solid Waste Ordinance
• Adjourned meeting (unanimous)

Borough Council

The Borough Council will consider adopting the 2026 budget, setting the millage rate at 2.454, and revising water system regulations. The body will also approve payments for pickleball court construction and various maintenance contracts.

• Adopt 2026 budget and set millage rate at 2.454
• Approve $96,800 for UV light system replacement
• Approve $40,859.91 for pickleball court color coat
• Approve $3,900 for hydrogeologic services
• Adopt Ordinance #424 to revise water system regulations

The council unanimously adopted the proposed 2026 budget and set the 2026 millage rate at 2.454 mills. It approved a $96,800 replacement of the ultraviolet light system, approved maintenance contracts for the tennis and basketball courts, and authorized payments to SLC Excavating for storm‑water projects. Staff compensation was increased with a 3% salary raise (4% for one employee), merit bonuses, and a flat 8% health‑premium contribution. The borough also adopted Ordinance #424 shifting curb‑box responsibility to the municipality and approved a Local Little Library installation at Celebration Park.

• Adopted 2026 budget (unanimously)
• Adopted Tax Levy Ordinance #425 setting 2026 millage rate at 2.454 mills (unanimously)
• Approved Kappe Associates UV light replacement contract for $96,800 (unanimously)
• Approved Breneman Company maintenance contracts: tennis court $22,500, basketball court $11,200 (unanimously)
• Approved SLC Excavating payments: $40,859.91 and $39,257.32 for storm‑water work (unanimously)
• Approved 3% salary increase for all employees (4% for J. Scherer) (unanimously)
• Approved merit bonuses: $1,000 to M. Palm & J. Scherer; $750 to M. Brown, N. Welker, M. Smith; $500 to L. Longenecker & S. Toffy (unanimously)
• Adopted Ordinance #424 shifting curb‑box and curb‑stop ownership to the borough (unanimously)

Planning Commission

The Adamstown Planning Commission meeting will open with a call to order and pledge of allegiance, then approve the previous meeting's minutes. Commissioners will review the town's zoning ordinance and invite public comment before adjourning.

• Zoning Ordinance Review

The commission approved the October 21, 2025 meeting minutes unanimously. It voted to recommend the discussed changes to the noise ordinance and to have the solicitor draft it for Council. It also voted to recommend minor changes to the hotels and motels ordinance and to have the solicitor draft that for Council. The short‑term rental draft will be sent to the solicitor for final review, advertising and adoption. The meeting was adjourned unanimously.

• Approved October 21, 2025 minutes (unanimous)
• Recommended noise‑ordinance changes and instructed solicitor to draft ordinance (unanimous)
• Recommended hotels/motels ordinance changes and instructed solicitor to draft ordinance (unanimous)
• Sent short‑term rental draft to solicitor for final review, advertising and adoption (no vote recorded)
• Adjourned meeting (unanimous)

Borough Council

The borough council will approve October 7 minutes, review the September fund balance sheet, and consider a payment plan for an outstanding water bill at 47 W. Main Street. It will vote on adopting Ordinance 424 (water), approve $1,000 donations to two community groups, and discuss a full update of the zoning ordinance. An executive session will cover a possible land acquisition purchase and personnel compensation matters.

• Motion to approve a payment plan for the water bill at 47 W. Main Street and waive late/interest fees
• Motion to adopt Ordinance 424, Chapter 304 of the Code of Ordinances (water)
• Motion to approve $1,000 donations to Welcome Home and Real Life Community Services
• Discussion of a complete update to the Zoning Ordinance
• Potential land acquisition purchase (executive session)

The council unanimously approved $1,000 donations to Real Life Community Services and Welcome Home. It also approved several payment plans for water and sewer bills, including $200 monthly payments for 47 W. Main St and a three‑payment schedule for Victoria Motter’s water balance. Additionally, the council approved a one‑time $4,000 sewer waiver for 63 W. Main St and authorized advertising the draft budget for adoption at the December meeting.

• Approved $1,000 donation to Real Life Community Services (unanimously carried)
• Approved $1,000 donation to Welcome Home (unanimously carried)
• Approved payment plan of $200/month on the 28th for 12 months for 47 W. Main St water bill (unanimously carried)
• Approved three‑payment water balance plan for Victoria Motter, due Jan 28, Feb 28, Mar 28 (unanimously carried)
• Approved payment of $200 by Jan 28 and $200 by Feb 28 for Gary Stephany water bill (unanimously carried)
• Approved one‑time sewer waiver of $4,000 for 63 W. Main St, contingent on remaining balance payment (unanimously carried)
• Approved advertising the draft budget for adoption at the December meeting (unanimously carried)

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission will meet to review specific sections of the zoning ordinance. The discussion focuses on regulations regarding noise, waste, and structures.

• Zoning ordinance review: Noise
• Zoning ordinance review: Hotels, Motels and Inns
• Zoning ordinance review: Solid Waste
• Zoning ordinance review: Fences

The commission approved the September 16 minutes (2‑0‑1 vote, one abstention). It unanimously recommended mirroring the Borough of Palmyra hotel/motel ordinance, removing the term “Inns.” It also unanimously recommended updating fence requirements and adding hyperlink references, and it tabled the solid‑waste ordinance review until the next meeting. The meeting was adjourned unanimously.

• Approved Sep 16 minutes (2-0-1, A. Good abstained)
• Recommended adopting Palmyra hotel/motel ordinance, removing ‘Inns’ (unanimously carried)
• Recommended fence ordinance changes and solicitor consultation on hyperlinks (unanimously carried)
• Solid waste ordinance review tabled until next meeting
• Meeting adjourned (unanimously carried)

Borough Council

The borough council will consider several motions, including awarding MVE Group a $145,216 contract through Co‑Stars to provide materials and labor for lighting recreation areas and pathways. Other items include leasing a Konica Minolta copy machine at $133.83 per month, adopting Ordinances 422 and 423, and appointing Zach Hoffman as a resident member of the 2026 Committee. The meeting also includes routine approvals of minutes, reports, and ordinance advertising notices.

• Award MVE Group contract for recreation lighting – $145,216 (through Co‑Stars)
• Lease Konica Minolta bizhub C251i copy machine – $133.83/month (Edwards Business Systems)
• Adopt Ordinance 422 (Parks and Recreation Areas) as presented
• Adopt Ordinance 423 as presented
• Appoint Zach Hoffman as resident member of the 2026 Committee

The borough council approved a $145,216 contract with MVE Group to provide lighting for recreation areas and pathways. They also appointed Zach Hoffman to the 2026 Committee and approved a $500 donation for the Scout Pack tree‑lighting ceremony. Additional actions included leasing a copy machine, adopting Ordinances 422, 423, and advertising Ordinance 424, and approving the previous meeting minutes.

• Approved $145,216 lighting contract with MVE Group (6-0-1)
• Appointed Zach Hoffman to the 2026 Committee (unanimous)
• Approved $500 donation for Scout Pack tree‑lighting event (unanimous)
• Leased Konica Minolta copy machine for $133.83/month (unanimous)
• Adopted Ordinance 422 as presented (unanimous)
• Adopted Ordinance 423 as presented (unanimous)
• Approved advertising for adoption of Ordinance 424 at November meeting (unanimous)
• Approved minutes from September 2 and September 16 meetings (unanimous)

Planning Commission

The commission approved the August 19 minutes unanimously. It unanimously voted to forward the short‑term rental draft ordinance to the municipal Planning Commission and LCPC for review, and also to forward it to Council for approval and advertising. The meeting was adjourned by unanimous motion.

• Approved August 19 minutes (unanimous)
• Forward draft short‑term rental ordinance to municipal Planning Commission and LCPC (unanimous)
• Forward draft short‑term rental ordinance to Council for approval and advertising (unanimous)
• Adjourned meeting (unanimous)

Borough Council

The borough council approved awarding the Green Light Go Grant contract to Herr Signal and Light for $334,483.90. It also approved a $6,480 quote from Keystone Engineering Group for a SCADA Windows 11 upgrade. Additionally, the purchase of two Dell Business Desktops at $1,279.55 each was approved.

• Award $334,483.90 Green Light Go Grant contract to Herr Signal and Light (unanimous)
• Approve Keystone Engineering Group quote for SCADA Windows 11 upgrade $6,480 (unanimous)
• Approve purchase of 2 Dell Business Desktops $1,279.55 each (unanimous)

Borough Council

The borough council unanimously adopted Resolution #25-09 establishing the 2025 Lancaster County Hazard Mitigation Plan. It also approved moving the water/sewer billing system to Muni‑Link in 2026 with a $17,500 setup fee and $6,300 annual fee, and authorized several grant applications for storm sewer and safety projects. Additional approvals included a $105,000 lighting purchase for courts, tree purchases and planting, and the adoption of revised short‑term rental and parks ordinances.

• Adopted Resolution #25-09 establishing the 2025 Lancaster County Hazard Mitigation Plan (unanimous)
• Approved moving to Muni‑Link billing system in 2026 with $17,500 setup cost and $6,300 annual fee (unanimous)
• Authorized SDE to proceed with LSA and SRBC grant applications for storm sewer and safety light projects (unanimous)
• Authorized SDE to move forward with Green Light Go project at Willow St and N. Reading Rd (unanimous)
• Approved Musco Sports Lighting purchase agreement for $105,000 court lighting (unanimous)
• Approved SLC Excavation Change Order #1 for $70,720.60 and Payment #2 for $61,242.12 (unanimous)
• Approved purchase of 8 trees (NTE $1,800) and planting services (NTE $2,250) (unanimous)
• Authorized solicitor to revise and forward Short Term Rentals & Signs ordinance and Parks ordinance for future council consideration (unanimous)

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission approved the July 15 minutes (2‑0‑1 vote). It unanimously recommended revisions to the Parks & Recreation chapter, the Sign Regulations chapter, the Short‑Term Rentals section, and the Solid Waste chapter of the borough code. The meeting was then adjourned.

• Approved July 15 minutes (2-0-1, one abstention)
• Recommended revising Chapter 190 (Parks & Recreation) to add pickleball language and a no‑dogs rule (unanimously carried)
• Recommended revising Chapter 320 (Sign Regulations) to delete Section 320‑85.C. and add consolidation language (unanimously carried)
• Recommended adding a Short‑Term Rentals section to Chapter 320 (unanimously carried)
• Recommended revising Chapter 243 (Solid Waste) to remove tire, white‑goods, yard‑waste collection language (unanimously carried)
• Adjourned the meeting (unanimously carried)

Borough Council

The council approved the July 1 minutes and all presented bills unanimously. It approved a $7,562.41 quote to upfit a new public works truck and authorized $5,650 for lighting addendum and a $23,709.76 payment to SLC Excavating for the pickleball project. The council appointed Kyle Nixon to the Adamstown 2026 Committee and granted a $55.59 water‑sewer late‑fee waiver. It also approved SDE to work with Public Works on specifications and budgeting for paving Main Street sections.

• Approved July 1 minutes (unanimously carried)
• Approved all bills and receipts presented (unanimously carried)
• Approved $7,562.41 emergency vehicle upfitting quote (unanimously carried)
• Approved Addendum #2 lighting project $5,650 (unanimously carried)
• Approved SLC Excavating Payment #1 $23,709.76 (unanimously carried)
• Approved appointment of Kyle Nixon to Adamstown 2026 Committee (unanimously carried)
• Approved $55.59 waiver of late fees for 13 N. Village Circle (unanimously carried)
• Approved SDE collaboration with Public Works on Main Street paving specs and budget (unanimously carried)

Planning Commission

The commission unanimously approved the minutes from the May 20, 2025 meeting. It also unanimously recommended that IronSpire's ZHB application for a 40,000‑sq‑ft warehouse be granted as a special exception, provided the stormwater basin is evaluated, landscaping is added, and truck traffic is barred on Stoudtburg and Adamstown Roads. The meeting was then adjourned.

• Approved May 20, 2025 minutes (unanimously)
• Recommended IronSpire ZHB special exception with conditions (unanimously)
• Adjourned meeting (unanimously)

Borough Council

The council unanimously approved a $37,134 quote to purchase a 2025 Ranger 4x4 SuperCrew truck and a $331.95 PennDOT winter services agreement for Willow Street. It also approved a grant modification to add lighting to tennis, basketball and proposed pickleball courts, a small project agreement for 462 Adamstown Road, and a waiver of permit application fees for kitchen upgrades at 108 E. Main Street. The meeting concluded with an adjournment.

• Approved $37,134 New Holland Auto Group truck purchase (unanimously)
• Approved $331.95 PennDOT Winter Services Agreement for Willow Street (unanimously)
• Approved grant modification to add lighting to three courts (unanimously)
• Approved 462 Adamstown Road SWM Small Project Agreement (unanimously)
• Approved waiver of permit application fees for 108 E. Main Street kitchen upgrades (unanimously)
• Approved minutes from June 3, 2025 (unanimously)
• Approved all bills and receipts presented (unanimously)
• Adjourned the meeting (unanimously)

Borough Council

The borough council voted 5‑1 to approve a five‑year police contract with Ephrata Borough at a cost up to $1.5 million. It also unanimously approved a lease for the former borough office, appointed Kyle Nixon as Zoning Hearing Board alternate, approved a $100 donation to St. Paul’s Church, waived $125 of a water bill, approved a $2,000 robotic reservoir inspection proposal, and agreed to resubmit the Rt. 272 bridge to the regional transportation plan.

• Approved five‑year police contract with Ephrata Borough (5‑1)
• Approved lease of former borough office at 3000 N. Reading Road (unanimous)
• Appointed Kyle Nixon as ZHB alternate (unanimous)
• Approved $100 donation to St. Paul’s Church (unanimous)
• Approved $125 waiver of water bill (unanimous)
• Approved $2,000 robotic reservoir inspection proposal (unanimous)
• Approved resubmission of Rt. 272 bridge to TIP (unanimous)

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission approved the minutes from the February 18, 2025 meeting unanimously. It also unanimously recommended that the ZHB work with Mr. Fox to advance the conversion of the former motel at 293 E. Main Street into three one‑bedroom apartments, provided code compliance. The meeting was adjourned unanimously.

• Approved minutes from Feb. 18, 2025 (unanimously)
• Recommended ZHB work with Mr. Fox on 293 E. Main St conversion (unanimously)
• Adjourned meeting (unanimously)

Borough Council

The council approved several items, including a traffic ordinance that lowers the speed limit and restricts tractor‑trailers on Willow Street. It also increased the fire company’s annual donation by $10,000 and adopted a memorandum with the Lancaster County Conservation District. Additional approvals covered an Eagle Scout library project, use of HomeBase for payroll, and a resolution on destroying meeting recordings.

• Approved solicitation of structural‑engineer proposals for easements at 121 & 127 W. Main St. (unanimously carried)
• Approved Eagle Scout library project costing $1,200 for supplies (unanimously carried)
• Approved $500 borough donation to the Eagle Scout project (unanimously carried)
• Approved 2025 LCCD Memorandum of Understanding (unanimously carried)
• Adopted Ordinance #420 to lower speed limit and restrict tractor‑trailers on Willow St. (unanimously carried)
• Increased Fire Company annual donation by $10,000 (unanimously carried)
• Approved use of HomeBase for timekeeping and payroll, not to exceed $300/month (unanimously carried)
• Adopted Resolution 2025-04 for standard destruction of public meeting recordings (unanimously carried)