Municipal Leaders Gather For Panel Discussion

The Washington County Chamber of Commerce hosted a Municipal Leaders Panel Discussion on Friday. Leaders from six communities related to members the challenges, successes and outlooks for each of their townships. Successes included ongoing recreational developments. Struggles described were with infrastructure funding and state regulatory bureaucracy. Outlooks, overall, were positive despite any difficulties that the communities faced. Darla Protch, Township Manager for Mt. Pleasant Township discussed her struggles trying to fund a $35 million sewerage project where they are financially qualified for a project one third that size due to their rural make up. Recreation projects were highlighted by Peters Township and North Franklin Township with regards to new parks in each township. Erin Dinch, Director of Planning and Development in North Franklin Township spoke of how their new Waterside Park will give the community the place to gain a sense of community and allow residents to meet the neighbors they otherwise may not meet. Outlooks overall were positive. Cecil Township Manager Don Gennuso says that supervisors there will be reviewing their comprehensive plan to make sure commercial and industrial development will be spurred along the recently opened Southern Beltway. South Strabane Township Manager Brandon Stanick spoke of their juggling act of planning for extensive residential and ongoing commercial development. The event was moderated by Chartiers Township Manager Jodi Noble.