Boards & Commissions – Manchester Township

Manchester township can only regulate what it is permitted or enabled to regulate by the Second Class Township Code of the commonwelath of pennsylvania and the Municipalities Planning code. The issues that can be addressed are enacted by ordinances and resolutions adopted by the township’s board of supervisors. To assist them the board of supervisors is permitted to appoint various bodies to review and recommend and in the instance of the zoning hearing board act on various issues.

All meetings are open to the public, with the schedule being published as required by law. You may contact the township office to confirm the dates and times of the advertised meetings.

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a COMPLETE List of Officials for 2024

Board of Supervisors

(Elected – 6 year term)

The Board of Supervisors meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. in the Manchester Township Municipal Building. These meetings are open to the public and residents are encouraged to attend.

Rodney K. Brandstedter

Elected	Term Expires
1/06/2020	1/05/2026

Debra K. McCune

Elected	Term Expires
1/05/2020	1/05/2026

David Chiaverini

Elected	Term Expires
1/02/2024	1/02/2030

Craig M. Miller

Elected	Term Expires
1/03/2022	1/03/2028

Harry Long, Jr.

Elected	Term Expires
1/02/2024	1/02/2030

The Board of Supervisors is the governing body of Manchester Township. The powers and duties of the supervisors, as well as all other township elected officials, are set forth in The Second Class Township Code, enabling legislation enacted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Board is comprised of five members who are elected to six (6) year terms. The Board of Supervisors appoint the members of the various advisory boards, commissions, and authorities. An administrative staff, led by the Township Manager, coordinates and directs the work of the various township departments and carries out the administrative policies of the Board of Supervisors.

Past Board Members

Lisa D. Wingert

Chairperson

Elected	Term Expires
1/04/2016	1/03/2022
1/04/2010	1/04/2016
1/05/2004	1/04/2010
1/05/1998	1/05/2004

David K. Brosend

Elected	Term Expires
1/06/2014	1/06/2020

Delmar Hauck

Vice-Chairperson

Elected	Term Expires
1/03/2012	1/02/2018
1/07/2008 elected 4 yr.	1/03/2012
10/10/2006 appointed	1/07/2008

Kenneth Wingert

Elected	Term Expires
1/03/2012	1/02/2018

Lawrence V. Young

Elected	Term Expires
1/07/2008	1/06/2014
1/03/2006 elected 2 yr	1/07/2008
2/10/2004 appointed	1/03/2006

Rita D'Ottavio

Elected	Term Expires
1/04/2010 elected 4 yr	1/06/2014

Board of Auditors

(Elected – 6 year term)

The Board of Auditors is a three (3) member board, elected at large to oversee the financial status of the township.

Name / Term Expires:

Palleh Wreh-Toe, Chairperson
1/05/2026
Chad Linder, Vice Chairman,Secretary
1/05/2026
Andrew Blackstone,
1/02/2024

Municipal Authority

(Appointed – 5 year term)

Name / Term Expires:

Delmar Hauck, Chairperson
12/31/2026
Andrew Rawicz
12/31/2024
Greg Zortman
12/31/2025
Michael Zambito
12/31/2028
Albert Trona
12/31/2027

About Municipal Authority

The municipal authority is a five (5) person body of volunteers appointed by the board of supervisors and are primarily in charge of handling the financing of public utilities (sewer and water) to unserved areas of Manchester Township. As such this body must assure that the sanitary sewer system not only handles the needs of the current residents but the needs of our future residents. The municipal authority develops specifications for the construction of all of the sanitary sewer lines in the township, for both developer built and authority built, to assure that the lines will serve the township for many years. The authority also finances projects to replace sewer lines that have deteriorated over many years of use. These projects have been financed through the issuance of various bonds. The authority must assure that the sewer rates are sufficient to make the payments on the bonds as well as for the costs in maintaining the sewer lines and pay for the cost of treatment at the various sewage treatment plants.

Planning Commission

(Appointed – 4 year term)

Name / Term Expires:

Nicholas Hauck, Chairman
12/31/2025
Ken Stoutzenberger,
Vice-Chairman
12/31/2026
Nick Dreisbach
12/31/2027
Richard W. Halpin
12/31/2024
Daniel Spies
12/31/2024

About Planning Commission

A five (5) person body appointed by the board of supervisors whose primary function is to review and make recommendations to the board of supervisors on the numerous plans submitted to the township for conformance with the ordinances of the Township. The members of the planning commission are volunteer, residents of the township who receive no remuneration for their time.

The two (2) types of plans generally reviewed are:

Subdivisions

The dividing up of parcels of land into smaller parcels is called subdivision. These divisions may include lots for residential, commercial or industrial uses depending on what zone of the township the land is located. The subdivisions may also include the layout of new streets, new sewer lines and storm water management control facilities.

Land Developments

For any new structure, except single family detached dwelling and very minor improvements a formal plan is reviewed by the Township to determine if the proposed development meets the requirements of the Township as defined in various ordinances and design standards. Land development plans range from multi-family dwellings to convenience store to churches to manufacturing facilities. The development must conform to the regulations of the township including sanitary sewer disposal, storm water runoff control and traffic improvements serving the site.

The township regulates what it is permitted to regulate and if a plan meets those regulations the planning commission must recommend that the plan be approved.

In addition to the plan reviews the planning commission also may make recommendations to the board of supervisors regarding requests for zoning changes, amendments to the zoning or subdivision and land development ordinances, and updates to the township’s Comprehensive Plan.

Visit Planning / Zoning Department

Zoning Hearing Board

(Appointed – 3 year term)

Name / Term Expires:

Craig Wisherd, Chairman
12/31/2025
Thomas Morley, Secretary
12/31/2024
Kristen Beecher
12/31/2026

About Zoning Hearing Board

The zoning hearing board consists of three (3) regular members and two (2) alternates appointed by the board of supervisors. The zoning hearing board is empowered to rule on various issues regarding the provisions of the township’s zoning ordinance. The decisions of this quasi-judicial body are binding and can only be challenged in the court system. Prior to making a decision the zoning hearing board holds a hearing to gather the facts not only from the applicant but from any party that may have an interest in the application. These hearings are advertised in the legal section of the newspaper. The property that is the subject of the hearing is also posted with a notice in accordance with state law. The adjoining property owners to a property that is the subject of a hearing before the zoning hearing board are notified of the hearing and will be given the opportunity to voice their opinions. However, if the application meets the required criteria the zoning hearing board may have no choice but to grant the applicants request despite any objections.

The zoning hearing board generally acts on the following types of requests:

Appeals from the decision of the Zoning Officer

Anyone who does not agree with a determination of the township’s zoning officer may request that the zoning hearing board decide whether the zoning officer’s decision followed the literal interpretation of the provisions of the township zoning ordinance.

Special Exceptions

Certain uses defined in the zoning ordinance require that an applicant prove that the criteria defined by the zoning ordinance be met or can be met before the use can be established. These uses are permitted if the criteria is complied with by the applicant. The zoning hearing board’s duty in the instance of Special Exception requests is to assure that the criteria have or can be met by the use. If the criteria are met then the zoning hearing board must grant the use.

Variances

Anyone who feels that a provision of the township’s zoning ordinance should not apply to their particular property and that if the provision were to be applied to the property would cause a HARDSHIP such as rendering the property unusable for any use that the zoning ordinance permits either by right or special exceptions may apply for a variance. Variances must be related to a hardship that deals with the land. Generally variances are difficult to prove and if the testimony supporting the request does not meet the requirements for the granting of the variance the zoning hearing board will deny the request.

Visit Planning / Zoning Department

Recreation Commission

(Appointed – 5 year term)

Name / Term Expires:

Craig Jacoby, Chairman
12/31/2025
Virginia Hobbs, Vice Chairperson
12/31/2024
Douglas Hershey
12/31/2026
James D. Kohr
12/31/2027
Adam Levine
12/31/28

About Recreation Commission

This five (5) person body of volunteers appointed by the board of supervisors meets monthly to discuss the recreational needs of the township’s residents and to make recommendations as to how best to serve those needs. The recreation commission is in charge of a recreation budget to implement those programs for the township. The township employs a full time recreation director to handle the day to day activities of the recreation department of coordinating activities, developing programs and acting as agent for the rental of township recreational facilities. The recreation commission sponsors a summer playground program at various township parks that culminates with the SUMMER FUN FESTIVAL held the first weekend in August at Cousler Park.. Additional activities include an Egg Hunt in the spring, various bus trips throughout the year, a holiday decorating contest in December and numerous classes held at township facilities. Please watch for the recreation newsletter to find out the current offerings.

The commission is also delegated the task of inspecting all of the township recreation facilities at least one time each year for possible safety concerns. During the summer months the commission holds its meetings at one of the township parks. As are all of the township meetings the recreation commission meetings are open to the public.