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MILL HALL -- The long anticipated Wawa convenience store is roughly estimated to complete construction sometime in the next year.
In January, the Bald Eagle Township Board of Supervisors gave its conditional approval of land development plans for construction of the building. It will be where Creekside Restaurant -- formerly Aungst Restaurant -- was located just off of Eagle Valley Road, facing the intersection of North Water Street.
Rumors have flown about how the plans were canceled due to the lack of updates, but township supervisors have laid those rumors to rest.
Secretary/Treasurer Marissa Morgan provided the supervisors with an update on how the plans have been proceeding.
"There was correspondence (from PennDOT to Wawa) as far as the traffic impact study. PennDOT is going to be giving their feedback based on what they want to see in the study until it becomes what PennDOT wants. It's going to go back and forth a few times 'til it is exactly what PennDOT wants to see. We're being kept in the loop of that," said Morgan.
She noted the township doesn't have much of a say in that process, and PennDOT's engineers will be studying the results.
"There's no sign that Wawa is not continuing. Last month we got confirmation from their lawyer that they are absolutely moving forward with it," said Morgan.
The detailed regulations and plans that have been in place since the beginning are slowly being addressed.
"Their lawyer spoke to us... It certainly looks like in the next year or so, Wawa is on the way," said Chairman Steve Tasselli.
At this time there is no update on the Take 5 facility which is planned to be built near Lowe's on Hogan Boulevard. The ATM that was located on the lot was taken out.
Township employees Derek Caris and Brock Gallagher both received outstanding reviews.
"They do a great job, we have two fantastic, hard workers. They're both very good employees. They're probably going to get what we've allotted in our budget, a six percent pay raise for the year. We will keep (residents) posted on that. We have not had a chance to sit down together and discuss," said Tasselli.
Numerous complaints were raised during the public comment period about the deteriorating roads at Camelot Estates.
Residents of the Estates spoke about large potholes that litter the private roads, and dilapidated buildings that draw in pests.
A long discussion about options followed, with the supervisors explaining what steps they were already taking.
"It is in our planning commission right now that we are looking at ordinances. This is a very, very diverse township. We understand and we hear you," said Tasselli.
Though there is nothing the supervisors can do at this time, Tasselli assured residents they were working on an ordinance to combat these issues. When asked for a timeline on the ordinance, Tasselli gave a rough estimate.
"It has to go through a discussion... Then it goes to our lawyer (who) has to compare it to other ordinances, then they have to compile a new ordinance. It's brought up to a vote, they pass it there, then they have to take it and pass it here and enact it. Long term? 6 months, 9 months. But it is front and center, better than it ever was," said Tasselli.
Similarly, the township has received complaints about roosters. Steps were taken to address the issue without citations, but ultimately the supervisors had to issue a citation in hopes of resolving the issue.
The Bald Eagle Township Board of Supervisors will meet again at 5 p.m. on Monday, Aug.19.