Castanea Township Supervisors Address Property Concerns, Traffic Safety, and Community Projects at April Meeting

By Emily Wright

CASTANEA— The Castanea Township supervisors discussed various community topics and issues during their monthly meeting on Monday, April 7, 2025, including residential property maintenance within the township, traffic safety concerns, and both new and ongoing projects. Chairman Brandon Coleman also provided an update on the referendum concerning the use of ATVs and side-by-sides on township roads.

During the public comment period toward the beginning of the meeting, concerns about property maintenance in Castanea Township were raised. Residents highlighted issues they’ve noticed with property upkeep and potential nuisances, citing multiple properties with excessive trash, abandoned vehicles, large appliances, and improperly stored equipment on their lawns. Two properties on East Keller Street were pointed out specifically for having multiple refrigerators, ovens, and a deteriorating shed scattered around the property.

The supervisors acknowledged these concerns and assured that the township’s Zoning Officer, Roger Hoy, would follow up on ordinance violation notices that were previously issued to several property owners.

Traffic safety in the township was also a key topic during the public comment period. Mary Margaret Winton voiced her concerns, especially regarding the intersection at Jarrett Avenue and Brown Street. She described witnessing hazardous driving habits, such as speeding on Brown Street and vehicles cutting corners. In response, Coleman announced that in the coming weeks, speed bumps will be installed in certain areas of Castanea Township to curb these behaviors. Other potential solutions the supervisors discussed included:

– Requesting that PennDOT paint dotted lines on specific road sections to guide turning traffic. 

– Exploring the possibility of reinstalling speed monitoring boards to alert drivers of their speed.

– Exploring ways to improve visibility at key intersections.

During the meeting, one of the old business topics discussed involved the contentious issue of permitting the use of ATVs and side-by-sides on township roads. Chairman Brandon Coleman provided an update on the matter, stating that the situation has reached a standstill. After consulting with Castanea Township Solicitor Paul Ryan about potentially putting the ATV ordinance to a referendum, the supervisors were informed that referendums are not applicable to ordinances, meaning residents can’t vote directly on this issue via a ballot measure.

Coleman expressed his frustration, stating that the township was hoping to allow residents to vote on the matter, but the solicitor’s letter clearly stated that this is not something that can be put on the ballot. 

“We’ve had a lot of questions about side-by-sides being permitted on the road. We did our due diligence; we sent it to our solicitor like we told the community we would for a chance of maybe doing a referendum,” Coleman said. “Our solicitor, the other week, sent us notification that you cannot do a referendum for that. The referendums are specific to other things, and it’s not eligible to be put on the ballot.”

The township is now “back to square one” in addressing the divided opinions on allowing ATVs and side-by-sides on its public roads. Coleman noted that many Castanea residents requested a review of the ordinance, prompting the township supervisors to conduct surveys and hold a public meeting in September 2024 to hear input from residents. Coleman reported that at that meeting, resident opinions were essentially split 50/50, which led the supervisors to explore the referendum option. Since the solicitor informed them that ordinances can’t be placed on a ballot, they must now find another way to approach the ATV and side-by-side ordinance.  

The meeting covered ongoing and upcoming projects in Castanea. Supervisor Coleman provided a brief update on the Keller Street Sewer Project, stating that it should begin in the next week. He mentioned that the project would involve repairing approximately 300 feet of sewer line that has had ongoing issues.  

Another upcoming project for Castanea Township involves renovations to the playground at Harvey’s Run Park. Coleman reported that the township plans to start dismantling the lower half of the park and preparing the ground for its development in the next couple of weeks.

Township Supervisor John Gradel gave an update on Phase 3 of the Bald Eagle Valley Trail (BEVT) project, mentioning that the township has written a letter of support to secure additional grant funds for the project’s completion. He explained that the section of the trail currently in progress starts at the train station, crosses a bridge, and continues down Lower Creek Road.

Gradel highlighted that the Castanea Township Recreation Committee is creating a heritage sign to be displayed along the BEVT near the fire station. This sign will provide historical information about Castanea and chestnuts, as the state’s oldest surviving American chestnut tree was recently found in nearby Sproul State Forest. Additionally, Gradel noted that the county has plans to install signs further along the trail to educate visitors about local wildlife, flora, and more, offering an experience that is both active and educational on the BEVT.