N. Lebanon Twp. residents want trap-neuter-release option for feral cats

North Lebanon Township residents talked with the Board of Supervisors Monday about a possible new way to deal with a growing feral cat problem.

Ann Pinca delivered a letter to the supervisors asking they consider adding an amendment to the township ordinance that currently disallows the feeding of feral cats.  The proposal states that residents can feed feral cats if the feeder agrees to having the wild, undomesticated cats trapped so that they can be neutered by a veterinarian, and then returned and released at the place where they were trapped.

Nobody's Cats, is a group of volunteers who provide trap, neuter and release services in Lebanon County, according to Pinca. The foundation's website states that the approach "prevents suffering among the cats, protects public health, reduces stress on wildlife, and enables communities to redirect desperately needed resources elsewhere."

When asked about Pinca's recommendation, Supervisor Gary Heisey said he had not time to give her suggestion much thought due to other township business. The supervisor needs to understand how the amendment would work in conjunction with the existing ordinance.

Township resident Bruce Sattazahn questioned how the trap-neuter-release approach would work better than the township's current ordnance. Cats who have come onto Sattazahn's property have used the trees as a scratching post and the mulch in his garden beds as a litter box.

When neutered cats are returned to a neighborhood, they usually do not live more than a few years, resident Sara Fuller said. Feral cats typically have a shorter lifespan than a house cats.

Supervisors gave Pinca permission to use the township building meeting room to hold an informational session about the trap-neuter-release approach to feral cat control.

Land development

The final land development plan for the expansion of the Sunny Lane Foods/Scout Cold Storage building in the Lebanon Rails Business Park was approved by supervisors. The building, located at 2750 Hanford Drive, will double the current square footage of 97,996 square feet.  Sunny Lane Foods makes and distributes frozen breakfast products.

Authorization was granted by supervisors to advertise an ordinance that would grant Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance, or LERTA, to another piece of land in the Lebanon Rails Business Park.

Flexopack, a company based in Greece, wants to use the vacant land in the business park to build a 200,000-square-foot manufacturing facility. It will be the first plant in the United States for the Greek company that produces special flexible plastic packaging material, used in the food industry.

Police updates

Officers Jessica Coyt and Chantz Swartz have completed the probation period for new officers and have been given full-time employee status, according to police Chief Tim Knight.

Police investigated two assaults in July, one with the use of a deadly weapon and another with the use of hands and fists. Police also apprehended a fugitive from justice at the Holiday Inn.

Police departments from Lebanon, South Lebanon, North Cornwall and North Lebanon have recently investigated a rash of people taking items from unlocked vehicles. Some incidents involved guns being stolen. Knight advised residents to lock vehicles when not in use, and to not leave weapons in vehicles.

Board members appointed supervisors Arden Snook Sr. and Heisey, as well as township resident Richard Blouch, to serve on the Lebanon County Regional Police Department Commission.

Other business

• Part-time highway department worker Bradyn Aurentz, who was hired in June, will become a full-time employee on Aug. 26.
• In response to requests made by some residents, the supervisors will open the yard waste facility at the township building from noon until 8 p.m. on Sundays on a trial basis.
• The Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved the Hazard Mitigation Plan submitted by the township that will make the township eligible for non-emergency assistance and possible mitigation grants, in addition to normal emergency assistance during a declared disaster.
• An ordinance will be advertised to designate 295 feet on the south side of Long Lane a no parking zone. This is being done at the request of the New Covenant Christian School. School officials want to create a new driveway into their property.
• Board members accepted the dedication of two private streets in the Woodlea development, Woodlea Avenue and a portion of Watson Street. The streets will now be maintained by the township.

This article originally appeared on Lebanon Daily News: N. Lebanon Twp. residents want trap-neuter-release option for feral cats