Millcreek Township · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Millcreek Township public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Belle Valley District Fire Station Feasibility Study
The Fire Commission recommended canceling Belle Valley's 1998 agreement and tying state relief funds to the 2024 agreement. Belle Valley's president and West Ridge leaders warned this could undermine volunteer fire protection and called it political retaliation. No board vote was taken tonight, but the dispute is clearly heading toward one.
Emergency Medical Dispatch Protocol Updates
The township updated its county dispatch protocols for Advanced Life Support (ALS) emergencies. If Millcreek Paramedics are unavailable, dispatch will automatically route the next closest ALS unit to ensure faster response times and better resource use.
Volunteer and Paid Fire Department Relations
Resident Candy Horm asked why paid firefighters get township-funded training while volunteers don't. Officials noted volunteer departments previously received about $160,000 each in LST funds and can still seek funds through budget submissions.
Route 5 Brake Retarder Prohibition
The township enacted an ordinance banning loud brake retarders ('Jake brakes') on State Route 5 between Asbury and Millfair roads following resident noise complaints and PennDOT study approval.
Fire Code Updates and Inspection Program
The township now has a formal fire inspection program for existing buildings, run by the fire department, with the fire chief as fire code official. Property and business owners in certain occupancy categories can expect inspections.
E-bike and scooter safety
Resident Dennis McAndrew urged the board to consider an e-bike ordinance like North East's, saying some e-bikes can exceed 25 mph and endanger pedestrians.
Tower Ladder Fire Truck Procurement
The 23-year-old Westridge tower ladder has had two cable failures, and a replacement costs $2.2 million — nearly double the 2020 study's estimate. The board tabled the purchase to sort out financing, with Bock wary of a 15-year loan and a future board inheriting the decision.
Police Department Accreditation
The Millcreek Police Department was officially recognized as one of only 209 accredited police agencies in Pennsylvania.
Public Comment Policy and Meeting Transparency
Everyone now gets three minutes to comment; Millcreek residents who sign up in writing five days ahead get five minutes and speak first. Some residents questioned accessibility for those without email.
Code Enforcement Penalties and Chapter 48 Overhaul
The township is suing over a dilapidated property on Haven Street whose owner went silent. On Argyle, frustrated neighbors learned the foreclosure sale was delayed, so the township is getting quotes to fix exterior violations itself.
Comprehensive Safety Action Plan and Grant Application
The township is applying for a $200,000 federal grant to build a safety action plan after twelve roadway deaths from 2019-2024, including five in 2024. The township's share would be about $50,000 in the 2027 budget, and completing the plan opens the door to much larger implementation grants.
ADA Website Compliance Deadline
The township's website has over 1,000 PDFs that must be accessible under a new DOJ rule with an April 24, 2026 deadline. The purchase was tabled for more quotes, but the clock is ticking.
Firefighter Residency Requirements and Staffing
Residents raised concerns that several full-time firefighters, including leadership, reside out of state in Ohio, prompting discussions on municipal residency policies.
Proposed code enforcement ordinances 2026-2 and 2026-3
New ordinances would set uniform fines of $250-$600 for civil code violations and $250-$1,000 for summary offenses, with a vote expected March 24.