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A picture of an ambulance with MESA branding.

in Community, Government

Municipal Emergency Services Authority of Lancaster County to Begin Providing 911 EMS Ambulance Service

Publicly funded municipal authority to replace Northwest EMS

After a two-year process of study, public meetings and planning, the Municipal Emergency Services Authority of Lancaster County (MESA; pronounced māy-sah) on Feb. 4 will begin providing 911 emergency medical ambulances services in Northwest Lancaster County previously provided by Northwest EMS. MESA is a first-of-its-kind regional municipal authority in Pennsylvania formed to address the region’s emergency medical services crisis.

Like so many EMS agencies, Northwest EMS was facing insolvency due to insufficient revenue and rising costs. MESA is a new publicly funded municipal authority formed to replace Northwest EMS and ensure that 911 ambulance service is available to member municipalities on a sustainable basis. MESA’s founding member municipalities are Conoy Township, East Donegal Township, Elizabethtown Borough, Marietta Borough, Mount Joy Township and West Donegal Township.

“Municipalities are responsible for many things including recreation facilities, police services, stormwater management and snow removal to name a few,” said MESA Board Chair Debra Dupler. “In Pennsylvania, municipalities are also required by law to ensure the provision of emergency medical services. In the tradition of Northwest EMS, MESA looks forward to continuing to provide outstanding 911 EMS service and 24/7 readiness to respond to EMS calls in the region.”

Unlike ambulance agencies that generate revenue through voluntary contributions, which leaves them deeply underfunded, MESA will charge property owners and employers in member municipalities a mandatory annual fee to fund its operations and ensure 24/7 readiness to respond to EMS calls. The first annual fee bills to property owners and employers will be arriving by mail in mid-February.

Benefits to residents of MESA member municipalities include: No residual bills for EMS services if the patient’s insurance pays; 50 percent off EMS bills if the patient does not have insurance coverage; and 50 percent off EMS bills if the patient’s payment applies to an insurance deductible.

“Northwest EMS is tremendously grateful for the community’s partnership through the years,” said Scott Kingsboro, authority manager for MESA and formerly executive director of Northwest EMS. “We look forward to serving the community with the same outstanding service for which Northwest EMS is known as we proudly wear a new uniform. And just as it was for Northwest EMS, health and safety education and community outreach events will continue to be an important part of our mission.”

For more information about MESA including frequently asked questions, visit mesalancasterpa.gov.

in Community

Regional Comprehensive Plan Update

Public Meeting For the Regional Comprehensive Plan:  6:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at the Masonic Conference Center Patton Campus (1244 Bainbridge Road, Elizabethtown). Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.

 

With the help of the Lancaster County Planning Department (LCPD), Mount Joy Township is updating its Comprehensive Plan through a regional planning effort. The 2010 Regional Strategic Plan for Elizabethtown Borough and the Townships of Conoy, Mount Joy, and West Donegal was adopted as our Comprehensive Plan.

The update process was kicked off by rebooting last year’s public opinion survey in early 2023. Redistributing the survey paid off, returning around 360 responses through mid-May as opposed to just 50 received in 2022. You can view the public survey findings summary and survey comments matrix by clicking the links. Notes from the April 12, 2023 Regional Elected Officials Meeting also provide feedback gained from the public at large and elected officials that evening.

LCPD kicked off our region’s process by working with our 2010 Regional Plan and Lancaster County’s Places2040 to create a framework for an implementable comp plan versus an encyclopedic document with an extensive list of tasks to complete. The goal is to identify key strategic issues to explore and develop impactful action items to implement.

2023 Comp Plan Working Documents

Mount Joy Township Update Review Committee 

A local committee has been created to review the draft plan, provide feedback, and develop strategies to implement the key objectives. The committee meetings are scheduled for 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the Public Meeting Room on the following dates:

  • Tuesday, June 6th
  • Wednesday, June 28th
  • Monday, July 31st

in Community

Mount Joy Fire Foundation

The Fire Department of Mount Joy (FDMJ) is looking for an individual with a financial background to serve on the Board of Directors of the newly created Mount Joy Fire Foundation.  There will be a total of 9 board members on the foundation.  The person representing Mount Joy Township shall be an elected official of, employee of, resident of, or work within Mount Joy Township.  The foundation board will be responsible for managing investments and distribution of funds to Fire Department Mount Joy when earnings outperform the donor threshold value. If you would like to be considered for appointment to this position, please complete the attached application form.

Application for Appointment Form

in Help Wanted

Full-time Help Wanted: Public Works Crew Member

Mount Joy Township is looking for a motivated individual to join our Public Works crew to perform maintenance and construction activities on Township roads, parks and properties. This includes operating Township vehicles and small tools and equipment utilized in the following and other activities as directed by the Township Roadmaster:

1. Perform manual labor on Township construction and maintenance projects.

2. Serve as a helper on power equipment; assist in the servicing and repair of equipment.

3. Assist with painting and carpentry, maintain Township properties, and cut and trim grass.

4. Maintain drainage swales, clean out culverts, fill in washouts.

5. Respond to emergency situations pertaining to Township roads and infrastructure, as directed by the Roadmaster.

A PA Commercial Drivers License is required or the candidate must be able to obtain a CDL promptly after being hired. This is a full-time position with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, and more. The hourly wage is based on experience and qualifications. If interested, please pick up and submit an application to the Mount Joy Township Municipal Office located at 8853 Elizabethtown Road or email Justin Evans with any questions at justin@mtjoytwp.org.

in Community

EAWA – Rain Barrel Sale

The Elizabethtown Area Water Authority is holding their Annual Rain Barrel Sale now through May 2, 2024 for residents in Elizabethtown Borough, Mount Joy Township and West Donegal Township. The cost is $85.00, and MUST be paid at time of order.  Details are on their website (www.etown-water.com) under “Special Announcements”. The rain barrel is on display in their lobby.

in Community

Penn Waste – Collection Update

Tuesday, February 13, 2024 – Due to inclement weather, all Penn Waste routes will not be operating on February 13. They will be operating on a holiday schedule for the remainder of the week. Tuesday customers’ materials will be collected on Wednesday. Wednesday customers’ materials will be collected on Thursday, and so on through the remainder of the week through Saturday. We apologize for any issues this may cause. Penn Waste, Inc. made this decision for the safety of the public and their crews. Normal operations will resume starting next week.

in Community

1/16/2024 – Penn Waste – Working on Holiday Schedule

PENN WASTE IS NOW OPERATING ON A HOLIDAY SCHEDULE!!!

Tuesday, January 16, 2024 – Due to the inclement weather, all Penn Waste operations will be operating on a holiday schedule for the remainder of the week. Tuesday customers will be collected on Wednesday and Wednesday customers will be collected on Thursday, and so on through the Saturday.

We apologize for the inconvenience. The safety of our crews is our priority.

in Government

Mount Joy Township Proposes 2024 Budget

At a special meeting held on November 6, 2023, the Mount Joy Township Board of Supervisors proposed a budget for calendar year 2024 of $5,350,393.70. The budget centers on the provision of core Township services including public safety, road and drainage system maintenance, and parks and recreation. The final 2024 budget is anticipated to be adopted at the December 18, 2023 Board of Supervisors meeting.

Mount Joy Township is proposing no tax increase for 2024.

  • The general revenue rate would remain the same at 2.34 mills.
  • The fire protection tax rate would reman the same at 0.90 mills.

The proposed 3.24-mill rate equates to $3.24 per $1,000 of taxable property value, or $648.00 in annual municipal real estate tax for a property assessed at $200,000.

The proposed budget can be viewed and downloaded here and is available for inspection at the Township Office during office hours. Please visit www.mtjoytwp.org or call 717-367-8917 to speak with Township Manager Ryan Minnich (ryan@mtjoytwp.org) with any questions or comments.

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