Wage Increase, ATV Ordinance, and Harvey’s Run Park Renovations Discussed at Castanea Township Meeting

By Emily Wright

CASTANEA— The Castanea Township Supervisors held their monthly meeting on Monday, July 7, 2025, where several important topics were addressed. Chairman Brandon Coleman shared positive financial news for the township following a year-to-date budget review. The supervisors also provided updates on the Harvey’s Run Park renovations and the status of the township’s ATV ordinance. Additionally, the supervisors voted on an ordinance to approve a wage increase.

A motion to accept the financial report was passed during the meeting on Monday. Chairman Brandon Coleman reported that the township is in a strong financial position and shared that the supervisors had reviewed the budget for the year to date. “Our numbers look very good,” he said.

At just six months into the budget year, Castanea Township has spent less than half of the budget amount. So far, the township has only spent roughly 30% of its budget, and most budget lines are less than half of their allocated amounts. Following a roll call vote, the financial report was accepted.

During the meeting, old business that was discussed included an update on the renovations at Harvey’s Run Park. Coleman shared equipment cost information with the supervisors for review, explaining that both the hourly rates for using the township’s construction equipment and volunteer hours must be documented as part of the requirements for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) grant supporting the project. Coleman also reported that he finalized and submitted the necessary zoning permit, which has been sent to the township’s engineer and contractor

Coleman reported that since June 1, several volunteer hours have been dedicated to the Harvey’s Run Park renovation, including three hours contributed by Vacancy Chairman Art Dion and 29.5 hours by Coleman himself. He emphasized that these volunteer hours are calculated as in-kind services for the DCNR grant, valued at $32 per hour. In-kind services, such as volunteer labor and the use of township equipment, count toward the township’s required contribution, or “match,” for the grant. Coleman explained that this means the township can include the value of volunteer time and the standard hourly rate for use of donated equipment as part of its share of the project costs. All of these hours and costs are documented and reported to DCNR as in-kind services, allowing the township to reduce its out-of-pocket expenses for the project and helping to maximize the impact of the grant funds.

“If you volunteer your hours—and I’m donating all of mine—Castanea gets more bang for the buck, so if anyone wishes to help with these projects, let me know,” Coleman said. “In the end, the township benefits because it’s money we don’t have to spend; it’s just hours donated back.”

Other old business discussed at the meeting included an update on Castanea Township’s ATV Ordinance. Coleman noted that the township has recently received several questions and phone calls from residents about the ordinance. He prepared a draft summary for the supervisors to review, incorporating notes from a previous public meeting where residents were invited to voice their concerns and discuss how other municipalities regulate ATVs. At the next meeting in August, the supervisors will determine whether the draft is ready to be sent to the township solicitor for review and approval.

New business on the meeting’s agenda included Ordinance 25-001, pertaining to a wage increase for the township supervisors.

“The state has increased the costs of what supervisors can be paid, so from $1,875, it can go up to $3,145,” Coleman said. Supervisor Charles Clukey Jr. added that, according to the Second Class Township Code, the annual pay for supervisors is determined by the township’s population.

Coleman explained that a wage increase was not something the township initiated, but a state-level change. “This is nothing we did; this is what the state did,” he said.

In Pennsylvania, supervisor wages are set by state law under the Pennsylvania Second Class Township Code, which applies to most townships in the state. The law establishes maximum annual salary limits for supervisors based on township population, and these amounts are periodically updated by the state legislature. In 2024, the wage limits for township supervisors were raised, with inflation since 1995 cited as a primary reason for the increase.

For Second Class Townships like Castanea, the maximum allowable compensation is specified in 53 P.S. § 65606 of the PA Second Class Township Code. Based on the most recent census, Castanea Township’s population does not exceed 4,999 residents, which means each supervisor may earn up to $3,145 per year. However, supervisors can be paid less than the maximum amount if the township decides to set a lower salary.

To increase supervisor wages, the township must first pass an ordinance. Any approved wage increase does not apply to current supervisors until after the next election or the start of a new term. In other words, sitting supervisors cannot vote themselves an immediate raise.

Coleman personally committed that if he is re-elected in November 2025, he will not take the pay increase until all other supervisors are also eligible, specifically stating for the meeting minutes: “I will not take the increase in pay until every other supervisor has it eligible.” The supervisors then voted to approve the ordinance, with Township Supervisor John Gradel making the motion, Supervisor Clukey seconding, and the motion receiving unanimous approval.

The next regular meeting of the Castanea Township supervisors will be held on Monday, August 4, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. Meetings are held at the Castanea Township Municipal Building, 347 Nittany Road.