During their meeting Wednesday afternoon, the White Township Supervisors issued a statement concerning a recent court decision.
The decision was in regards to an injunction that was filed by Friends of White’s Woods claiming that the township did not follow the Sunshine Act and second class township code in connection with hiring Millstone Land Management to remove dead trees and invasive plant species from the wooded area. In March of this year, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources rejected the Millstone plan, and late last week, Senior Judge William Martin rejected the injunction.
In a statement read during the meeting, Supervisors Chairman George Lenz said that the board was happy with Judge Martin’s decision that the township took correct steps towards the care of White’s Woods Nature Center and the other natural assets of the township.
He also said that the supervisors are eager for the township return to having discussions on this with users of the woods, DCNR and the Bureau of Forestry. Their complete statement is below.
In other business, the supervisors advised manager Milt Lady to draft a resolution that would support an initiative called the Lenny Alert, named for Lenny Hatinda, who was found dead after he wandered away from his home. Chris Zeisler, who is the founder of a Facebook group said that the alert system is similar to an Amber Alert, but instead of the alert going out for abducted children, this would get information out for missing children.
Zeisler said they are continuing to seek support from government leaders on the local and state level.
The following is the complete statement from the White Township Supervisors
“The supervisors are pleased with Judge Martin’s affirmation that the township took the correct steps toward the care and preservation of White’s Woods Nature Center and the township’s other natural assets. It’s been clear to the board that what a forestry consultant provides and what a land manager does are professional services, and that Township Manager Milt Lady was diligent in evaluating and selecting our service provider.
“The supervisors are also eager for the township to return, after a year-and-a-half interruption, to having conversations with Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Bureau of Forestry and the users of White’s Woods to assure the best long-term care and treatment of the forest.
“The neglect of White’s Woods, forced by the court case, has done anything but allow for finding consensus and providing care for our community resource. Of course, any further legal action would only extend the delay of long-overdue work to protect the woods.”
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