Rapho Township is one step closer to regulating alternative energy systems such as solar panels, geothermal, wind turbines, outdoor hydronic heaters and anaerobic (manure) digesters.

During a Sept. 2 meeting, the supervisors set a date of Oct. 21 for a public hearing to adopt the ordinance. In the meantime, it's being forwarded to the township's planning commission and the Lancaster County Planning Commission for review and comment.

"This is pretty cutting edge. The ordinance addresses a variety of alternative energy systems, and Rapho will be the third municipality with an alternative energy ordinance. We put a lot of thought into this," township manager Sara Gibson said.

The ordinance is modeled on the one that was recently adopted by West Hempfield Township, and Rapho officials have been working on the ordinance since May. It provides details on where solar panels, wind energy systems, manure digesters, geothermal systems and outdoor hydronic heaters are permitted and what setbacks and other standards will be required for them.

A copy of the proposed zoning amendment is available for public review in the Rapho Township office, 971 N. Colebrook Road.

In other business, Supervisor Duane Martin, who also serves as chair of the Manheim Central Recreation Commission board, asked for input on an issue involving restructuring of the organization as approved in June by the three partners — Rapho, Manheim Borough and Manheim Central School District. That proposal indicated that MCRec staff would be transferred from the school district's payroll to the borough payroll. However, MCRec has met with an unexpected $30,000 increase in health care costs due to the transfer.

In June the partners agreed to make these contributions to the operating budget: MCSD, $35,000; Rapho, $53,295; and Manheim, $36,745 — as well as a $25,000 contribution by each partner to a capital improvement fund.

Martin asked if Rapho would consider increasing its contribution to cover its share of the increased health care cost.

"We've cut the MCRec budget as much as we can, and I don't see another way. I don't want to present a budget to the partners that's not realistic and sets up MCRec to fail," he said.

Supervisors Jere Swarr and Lowell Fry agreed that the township could increase its contribution; however, Rapho should not pick up the entire amount of the health care increase.

Fry recommended that MCRec re-examine the budget for any places to trim and then prepare a budget that works for the organization and present it to the partners.

In other matters, the supervisors approved supplemental agreements with Mount Joy Borough Authority to extend the authority's water and sewer service areas so that they align with the township's designated growth area.

Gibson also reported the Sunnyside bridge project is complete, and the bridge opened for traffic on Aug. 27.