At the Aug. 4 Moore Township Board of Supervisors meeting, township Solicitor David Backenstoe reported the warehouse ordinance was ready for advertising, and the bamboo ordinance was ready for adoption.

Backenstoe noted the updated warehouse ordinance is to “ensure the safety and comfort of residents.”

The ordinance changes the permitted use of property suitable for warehouse location to a conditional use. This allows the supervisors to regulate some aspects of the warehouse development, such as requiring snow scrapers to clean off the snow from trucks and have adequate shower and rest facilities for truckers. Conditional use can also regulate buffer zones to maintain distance from residents’ homes.

Backenstoe said the next step is to advertise the ordinance and complete items that can facilitate a vote on approving the ordinance at the September meeting. The completed ordinance is expected to be on the township’s website.

The board voted to advertise the warehouse ordinance.

Although not an outright ban, the bamboo ordinance regulates how residents who choose to have bamboo on their property must ensure the crawling plant does not enter a neighbor’s property.

The bamboo ordinance was passed by the board.

In other business, a correspondence was received requesting the township take a position on fireworks restrictions in the township. Backenstoe commented strongly, using a self-described “soap box” talk, that he is a proponent of changing the 2017 fireworks law promulgated by the state legislature.

He cited the effects of fireworks being detonated on any day, at any time, as having a deleterious effect on veterans, among others, such as family pets and children. He also spoke of potential injuries from the improper use of fireworks.

Backenstoe said fireworks should be regulated on which days and hours they are permitted to be detonated.

Moore Township resident Jeffery Ayers alerted the board that he read the legislature may grant boroughs and other municipalities permission to closely regulate fireworks. Ayers said as a second class township, Moore cannot miss out on any exemptions if granted.

Ayers suggested the supervisors send a letter to state legislators urging them to support any exemption from the current fireworks law, giving Moore the right to regulate fireworks. He also urged the 50 or so residents present to call or write their representatives.

Board Chair Daniel Piorkowski asked if Backenstoe would draft a letter, and the board approved the suggestion allowing Backenstoe to draft a letter to the state representatives.

Township Manager Nicholas Steiner noted the first half of the federal government’s American Rescue Plan funds were received. The township received $493,724. An equal amount will be awarded next year.

Steiner said now that these funds arrived, he can begin to assemble the 2022 budget. He asked the various department leaders to get their project requests in by early September.

Steiner explained the American Rescue Plan funds are not unrestricted dollars. How and what the funds can be used for is complex. He requested and received permission to contract with Zelenkofske Axelrod LLC, an accounting firm specializing in the American Rescue Plan regulations.

The board approved the request. The firm’s fee for consulting work is $24,500.

Township Police Chief Gary West reported there were 291 police calls, 16 warnings given out, 45 traffic citations and three arrests during July. The three arrests were two driving under the influence and one corrupting the morals of a minor.

The fire department reported 36 calls, four motor vehicle accidents and four fires during July. There were 84 ambulance calls in July.

In his First Regional Compost Authority report, Supervisor Richard K. Gable said they are restructuring the team after the resignation of the director. He announced there are job openings for drivers and yard workers.

Gable also announced the FRCA does not accept bamboo and said logs have a 12-inch width limit. Oversized logs will not be accepted and neither will large tree stumps.

The Land and Environmental Protection Board is on the cusp of preserving another 27 acres of farmland. Reportedly, the group has preserved about 2,800 acres in Moore Township to date.

The Land and Environmental Protection Board is planning an open house 7 p.m. Sept. 13 at the township’s recreation center pavilion. An expert speaker will provide information about farmland and open space preservation.

The historical commission is planning the annual Octoberfest for Oct. 14 at the Klecknersville Rangers Volunteer Fire Company social hall, 2718 Mountain View Drive. More information is forthcoming.

The next supervisors meeting is 6 p.m. Sept. 7. The location is to be determined. Check mooretownship.org for the meeting location. It is an in-person only meeting.