Council says no to Lancaster's pipeline, but it might come through anyway

This map shows City of Lancaster's proposed route for a 42-inch diameter pipeline to be run through Columbia Borough. The route would run down Manor Street, from 15th Street to 4th Street, then across 4th Street to Mill Street, over Mill and down to the existing station at the river. A 6- to 7-foot wide trench running the length of the line would need to be dug.

Columbia Borough Council has voted to send a letter of non-support for Lancaster City's proposed pipeline project that would require digging up most of Manor Street, a block of South 4th, and half of Mill Street. 

Tuesday's vote came after Borough Manager Steven Kaufhold told council that the City of Lancaster is urging support from Columbia Borough for the project. All municipalities affected are asked for letters of support to help Lancaster obtain a bond through a PENNVEST Application for Financial Assistance. As part of the application process, the City must provide documentation that the project is consistent with local land planning efforts, according to correspondence from a City of Lancaster representative. The project will span portions of Columbia Borough, West Hempfield Township, Mountville Borough, and East Hempfield Township.

Unfortunately, a letter might not be enough to derail the decision to go through Columbia. "It's a PUC. We may not have a lot of chances of stopping this," Kaufhold said, but added there are options: The proposed pipeline could run the same route as the existing line, and there are other areas where the line could be brought through. He said going through Columbia is just the easiest way for them to do it.

Councilman Kelly Murphy said, "They didn't really present what their other options were. 

It might be more cost for them, but going through some farmland, that's going to do a lot less disturbance than cutting through a whole town."

Kaufhold expressed frustration with the lack of information from officials, stating that some questions remain unanswered. 

"How are our fire trucks going to get out?" Kaufhold asked, noting that the line would run directly in front of the fire station. "Are we going to shut down Manor Street for weeks, months, over the winter? A lot of these questions we couldn't get answered," Kaufhold said. "In my opinion, we take the brunt of this with literally no gain. So, I can't support this."

Resident Sharon Lintner noted that pipeline construction could also affect the sale of the former McGinness Innovation Park.

Project Details
Lancaster is seeking approval to install a 42-inch diameter transmission line along Manor Street, from 15th Street down to 4th Street, then across 4th Street to Mill, over Mill and down to the existing station at the river. (Kaufhold estimated that a 6- to 7-foot wide trench running the length of the line would need to be dug.)

Phase 2 runs from Mountville to Columbia 

Phase 3 runs through Columbia 

The other end of the pipeline will run from 15th Street and continue east up Route 462 into Mountville. 

The project is scheduled to begin within two years, with the potential for Manor Street to be under construction for six months.

The pipeline is part of Lancaster's water system upgrade. Currently, a low service pump station in Columbia Borough at 10 Union Street conveys raw water through a 1.2-mile, 42-inch transmission main to the Susquehanna Water Treatment Plant. From there, treated water travels through a five-mile transmission main to serve the distribution system.

Restaurant Inspections - Columbia Borough - July 18, 2025

 

St. John's Lutheran Church (Meals On Wheels), 23 Sixth St., Columbia, July 10. Pass. No violations.

Columbia Borough Fire Department sees surge in rescue calls amid flooding

https://local21news.com/news/local/lancaster-county-fire-department-sees-surge-in-rescue-calls-amid-flooding 

Unity March planned for Veterans Memorial Bridge on Saturday, July 19

At Tuesday's regular meeting, Columbia Borough Council voted to allow an activist group to use Rotary Park as a staging area for a march across the Veterans Memorial Bridge this Saturday.

The group, Indivisible MT, is planning a unity march across the bridge from 8 to 10 a.m. on July 19, 2025, with several hundred participants expected to attend. The group has named the march “Good Trouble Marches On: Lancaster and York Unite for Justice on the Bridge,” in honor of the work of civil rights icon John Lewis on the fifth anniversary of his passing.

Due to insurance companies' reluctance to cover the group, Columbia Borough waived the requirement of certificate of insurance in lieu of receipt of an indemnification notice so that the borough is protected when participants gather at Rotary. 

Rachel Moore of Indivisible MT, who appeared at the meeting, has also been in contact with Wrightsville Borough Administrator Suzanne Martin regarding an event permit for the other side of the demonstration.

"In our young history as an organization, we have been committed to doing things peacefully, safely, and in cooperation with local authorities, including the police," Moore told council. 

The March

According to information provided by the group, participants will be directed to park on both sides of the Susquehanna River. On the Columbia side, this may include public parking at Front and Locust Street and on-street parking. Organizers are actively directing attendees away from Columbia River Park due to a scheduled memorial service at noon on the same day.

Check-in will take place at two locations: Rotary Park and Wrightsville Riverfront Park, where participants will receive printed or digital march instructions emphasizing the importance of staying on sidewalks and remaining in line while on the bridge.

Participants will line up on the Columbia side using the park as a staging area. On a coordinated signal with the opposite side, marchers will proceed toward the center of the bridge, where a pre-positioned person holding an American flag will mark the midpoint.

When marchers reach the center with as many people as possible on the bridge, they will turn toward the river and link hands in a show of unity. Each line will then turn toward the outside and walk back, with marchers proceeding two abreast until they return to the parks and depart the area.

Safety marshals will be strategically positioned to notify oncoming traffic that an event is ahead, though they will not impede traffic or enter the roadway.

Water and first aid will be available at both parks, staffed by trained medics. Orange-vested safety marshals will guide participants to the bridge and accompany marchers throughout the event.

While organizers anticipate several hundred people will participate, exact numbers remain uncertain until the day of the event due to variables including weather, time of day, vacation schedules, and publicity levels.

The group's website is HERE.

Agenda - Columbia Borough Council Meeting - July 15, 2025

 

The meeting packet is HERE.

Columbia Borough Council considers business sign ordinance and fire department funding ask

 

Columbia Borough Council addressed two main issues during its July 8 workshop meeting: an ordinance allowing business ads on the Northwest River Trail fence and a substantial funding request from the fire department.

Business sign ordinance 
Borough Manager Steven Kaufhold said that Columbia is considering an ordinance allowing local businesses to display 2-by-3 foot signs on the Northwest River Trail fence. 

The issue first arose at the June 10, 2025 borough council meeting when Mike Knaub of Starview Brews asked about the possibility of signage on the fence. Knaub appeared again at the June 24 meeting to ask to hang a sign. Council denied permission due to questions about the current ordinance. However, Knaub went ahead and hung the sign over the July 4th weekend, because, as he said at Tuesday’s meeting, he had been given permission from "an individual." Councilman Kelly Murphy admitted he had given Knaub permission.

In response, resident Sharon Lintner said, "I don't really have a problem with the whole thing of the signage or anything, but I do have a problem with an individual councilor being able to give permission to a resident to do something."

Murphy replied that his decision was based on what was discussed at the previous meeting. "I made a mistake," Murphy said but quickly changed his mind. "I didn't make a mistake. That's how I interpreted what was said."

Knaub said he noticed an uptick in business over that weekend. He said six people came in on Friday and Saturday who said they hadn't known his business was there. "So, that's the reason I hung the sign," Knaub told council. The borough removed the sign before Tuesday's meeting. 

Such signage faces regulatory hurdles, as the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation requires permits for off-premise advertising, particularly near highways or in scenic and residential areas. Business owners must first receive borough approval before applying for PennDOT permits. Signs under 300 square feet require a $10 fee and must be spaced at least 100 feet apart.

Councilman Peter Stahl noted that applicants must get borough approval before pursuing state permits. The borough plans to enact an ordinance before businesses can begin hanging advertisements along the trail.

Mayor Leo Lutz offered a solution: "Close your eyes. Close your eyes. Set the signs up and let PennDOT deal with it. It's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission."

Fire department seeks funding increase
In a significant financial request, Columbia Borough Fire Department President Jared Barninger asked council to increase the borough's annual donation from $111,000 to $300,000 starting in 2026 – an increase that would bring the public safety budget from $256,000 to $445,000.

Barninger cited rising equipment costs as the primary driver, particularly the need for a new ladder truck costing up to $2.2 million. The ladder truck is on a four-year hold and if payments begin early, the department could save $300,000, Barninger said.

The department operates on a $600,000 break-even budget with $1.3 million in liquid cash reserves. Additional funds may come from a capital campaign–or new taxes. Barninger noted the borough hasn't increased its fire department donation in approximately 10 years. The fire department has 60 volunteers and depends heavily on borough donations for equipment, training, and maintenance.

"We want to help and I don't think what you are asking for is unreasonable," responded Council Vice President Eric Kauffman.

Council President Heather Zink said more information about the funding will be available in late October or November.

Additional council business
Mayor Lutz reported successful July 4th weekend activities, noting that River Park's parking lot was full. He suggested improved signage to direct visitors to alternate parking areas during community events.

Council also reviewed several ordinances, including regulations for food trucks and rental property management. 

Police Chief Jack Brommer mentioned a recent case in which a landlord did not complete eviction paperwork for a tenant with three disruptive conduct incidents. He said that because of the landlord’s failure, the three disruptive conduct incidents were dismissed, and the borough had no recourse.

The borough received 64 applications for its new Senior Parking Permit program. Councilwoman Barbara Fisher announced that a temporary part-time administrative assistant began work this week.

The Lancaster Water Company's request to install a new 42-inch main will require a council vote at the July 15 meeting.

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