Muncy borough considers land annexation from Muncy Creek Township for new municipal facilities
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A hearing to consider a land annexation by Muncy Borough drew questions from public officials and area residents prior to a recent council meeting.
The borough is looking to acquire 3.2 acres of property from neighboring Muncy Creek Township as a possible site for new municipal facilities.
Borough Manager Charley Hall summed up the situation thusly: "We are currently in a borough building we know we need to get out of. We need a new maintenance building."
The parcel considered for annexation lies just outside the borough line near Glade Run.
The borough building on Washington Street is in a flood zone and is not handicapped accessible.
Harley Fry, of the Muncy Creek Township Planning Commission, said municipal offices and facilities should be centrally located in the borough.
He questioned locating any new buildings near Glade Run where flooding might occur.
He also expressed his dissatisfaction about property lines being moved around.
Pharron Banghart, of Muncy, raised the possibility of elevating the present borough building to prevent it from flooding.
Hall conceded that the borough is not locked into relocating facilities at the parcel considered for annexation.
Under a land swap worked out this year between the borough and the public library, the borough could possibly use a section of the parcel at South Washington and New streets for a construction site.
Borough council and the township are both set to vote on the land annexation later this month.
If enough residents oppose the annexation, the issue could end up in a voter referendum.
Following the hearing, council voted to apply for a $1 million state Local Share Account grant to fund construction of new buildings and to have an architect obtain a preliminary cost for the facilities.
In other matters, council approved the transfer of flood buyout land on Mechanic Street to the Muncy Historical Society.
Council voted to donate $5,679 to the Muncy Shade Commission for tree pruning on Main Street.
Alicia Myers, of the Commission, briefed council on the organization's mission, which includes caring for and maintaining trees on public properties.
Council approved the 2025 minimum municipal obligation pension for the borough's uniformed and non-uniformed employees.
Trick or treat in the borough was approved for 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31.
A parade at 5:30 p.m. will precede trick or treat hours.
The next council meeting will be 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, at the Muncy High School Library/Media Center.