During the public comment portion of the meeting, Alicia Deer, coach of the Unlimited Cheerleaders, detailed the challenges her team faces due to inadequate practice facilities. Despite achieving recognition as Grand Champions at a recent competition, the cheerleading team struggles with inconsistent practice spaces. Deer expressed frustration over the lack of dedicated facilities for cheerleading, contrasting it with the resources allocated to other sports like soccer and football within the township. She emphasized the impact this disparity has on the team’s preparation for national-level competitions and highlighted the broader issue of recognizing cheerleading as a legitimate sport. Deer stated, “These girls are our future… I do not feel comfortable telling a 5-year-old that they’re less than they are,” advocating for fair treatment and resources. The council president acknowledged the ongoing discussions about the cheerleading program’s needs and expressed a willingness to explore solutions, although specific actions were not detailed during the meeting.

In another significant issue, Ray Skelo addressed the council about Ordinance 20-2024, which pertains to sidewalk maintenance. Skelo raised concerns about homeowners being held responsible for repairs caused by tree roots, particularly when the trees were planted by the township. He suggested the need for exceptions to alleviate this burden on residents. Skelo also discussed the lack of walkability in the township, particularly in poorly lit areas, sharing a personal experience of nearly missing a pedestrian at night due to inadequate street lighting. A council member addressed these concerns, acknowledging the importance of improving street lighting for safety and the financial challenges that come with maintaining necessary services while minimizing tax increases. They explained the township’s fiscal management strategies and encouraged residents to participate in school board meetings to voice concerns over education-related taxes.

The council meeting also featured several commendations, including recognition of the police department’s successful resolution of a recent pedestrian incident. The police faced initial challenges due to a lack of leads but managed to identify a suspect through persistent community outreach, bringing closure to the affected family. Additionally, the council applauded the police department’s Thanksgiving food drive, which resulted in approximately $3,000 worth of food donations.

Community events were a focal point of the meeting, with announcements regarding the “Light Up the Township” holiday house decorating contest and a tree lighting ceremony scheduled for December 14 at the Old Stone House. The council expressed pride in the local high school football team’s achievement of reaching a championship game, despite their loss in the final match.

In addressing budget concerns, the council discussed the impact of rising costs on the township and its residents. A council member clarified that the municipal budget, along with Board of Education and county taxes, contribute to overall tax burdens. While the municipal increase was kept relatively low at 6.5%, the Board of Education raised their rates by over 5%. The council emphasized the importance of shared services to manage these costs and maintain essential services, while also preserving a healthy surplus for emergencies.

The meeting concluded with further public comments, including a complaint from a resident about ongoing issues with chickens from a neighbor, and clarification from Leon, head of the shade tree advisory committee, regarding responsibilities for tree-related sidewalk damage. He explained that if a tree was planted by the township, they would handle any resulting sidewalk issues, whereas homeowners are responsible if the tree was not township-planted.