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Manheim Borough, one of the four partners, got support for a proposal to begin a strategic plan process and require the partners to fund MCRec for 2010 at the 2009 level. Each partner contributes $60,523, and the three municipal parties also contribute $25,000 to a capital improvement fund.
Each partner will be asked this month to review the proposal and, pending approval, remain committed to MCRec through 2010.
Manheim's proposal calls for formation of a steering committee, which would select a consultant to develop a 5- to 10-year strategic plan by November for MCRec.
The committee also would review previous feasibility studies done by MCRec and use that information as part of the strategic plan. The consultant's recommendations would be reviewed by each partner. Pending ratification of the strategic plan in December, the plan would be implemented beginning in January.
Matt Parido, borough manager, said the steering committee would have a broader perspective by including input from the office of state legislators.
MCRec partners represented at the meeting agreed on a 15-member committee with representatives from the offices of state Rep. Tom Creighton and state Sen. Mike Brubaker. Also, members would include people who use MCRec's facilities and/or programs plus representatives of the partners — Manheim, Manheim Central School District and Penn and Rapho townships.
MCRec was formed 11 years ago to maintain parks and recreation facilities and programs in the Manheim area. Citing concerns with funding inequities among the partners and the sustainability of MCRec, Penn Township threatened to withdraw from the organization in December. Since then, representatives of the three municipalities have met to examine funding options.
The strategic plan is expected to cost $15,000.
Manheim Central's plan for schools, according to Carol Saylor, superintendent, include recommending replacement of Stiegel Elementary School. The replacement site could be the former middle school, which could be renovated or demolished.
According to "Manheim Revisited: 1700-2000" published by the Manheim Historical Society, Stiegel Elementary on East High Street is the oldest school in the district. It was dedicated Jan. 1, 1915, and over the years renovated and expanded. The former middle school on North Hazel Street opened as a high school in 1926.
The district committee also will recommend future use of Stiegel by relocating the district office from 71 N. Hazel St. and the business office from South Penn Street.
Saylor said the recommendations from the committee have not been discussed with the school board. She said, "Before (the plans) are finalized, there would be community input meetings."
Also June 3, Kate Gonick and Ron Laughlin of Lancaster County Conservancy presented information on the Highlands Coalition. President Bush signed the Highlands Conservation Act in 2004.
According to newspaper records, the legislation was designed to pump $100 million in federal money over 10 years into Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Connecticut to conserve woods, farmland and drinking water and promote "smart growth" development. The Highlands area targets portions of the Appalachian Mountains and attached spines in the four states feeling development pressure from New York, Philadelphia and Hartford, Conn.
In Lancaster County, 479 square miles including Welsh Mountain and Furnace Hills are designated as part of the Highlands territory. Parts of Penn and Rapho townships are included in the Furnace Hill area.
Gonick said Lancaster County commissioners have endorsed the Highlands project, and in the next few months each of the three Manheim area municipalities will be asked to adopt a resolution supporting the concept of conserving the Highlands.
