The Hanover Township Council proposed to change the township's snow emergency procedures.

The proposal was discussed at the council's Feb. 19 meeting.

"We needed a better way to handle snow emergencies,"Township Manager Sandra Pudliner said.

In some instances, snow emergency violation tickets were issued to residents who were at work when the emergency was declared.

"In the new rules, we give people a reasonable time to remove cars," she said.

Any tickets issued during the latest emergencies were downgraded to warnings.

Parking lots in township parks are designated as viable parking areas during a snow emergency and, according to Pudliner, were used during the Valentine's Day snowstorm.

Major roads have alternate side-of-the-street parking during an emergency. This allows crews to clear the streets and on-street parking areas.

"Our biggest problems are in the townhouse areas," said Pudliner.

Residents often have more cars than spaces.

"In most of the other areas, cars can be parked in a driveway, but the townhouse areas only have a parking pad for two cars," she said.

Pudliner noted that towing a vehicle is the last alternative.

The new procedures are designed to alleviate notification problems and assist maintenance personnel in clearing the roads.

In a related matter, Pudliner clarified that the fire department is the first responder in an emergency. Her response was precipitated by a question about heavy snow accumulation causing roof to collapse in surrounding communities.

"We have not had any reports of roofs overloading so far," said Pudliner. "The fire department is the entity that declares the extent of the emergency. They are in control. The township might get involved later with the building inspector, to determine if there are structural items that need to be repaired."

Also at the meeting, Pudliner reported the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has approved the traffic study prepared for the FedEX hub land development plan in Allen Township.

Township Engineer Ryan Christian indicated that none of the concerns which had been addressed by Hanover Township were included in the report.

A substantial increase in traffic on Hanover Township roads is expected if the warehouse complex is approved in the neighboring township.

"Now it looks as if the feeder roads will be able to handle more traffic than the main artery," said Councilman Curtis Wegfahrt.

Solicitor Jackson Eaton suggested to council that if they had objections to the plan, it would be prudent to record their concerns now.

In response, the council set a special public meeting for 7 p.m. yesterday at the municipal building and invited residents to attend.

In other action, the township engineer reported that the building formerly headquarters for Davis Business Machines is now demolished and crews are removing foundation concrete.

The area will be rebuilt with a new set of stores for the Airport Center mall.

Also, Pudliner reported that the Sonic drive-in has new owners.

Council passed an ordinance updating township job descriptions.

"We did not change any of the classifications, but the descriptions were changed to reflect what is now in effect," Eaton said.