LOCAL

Parents ask Chambersburg school board to oppose controversial power line project

Joyce F. Nowell
Herald-Mail Media

Opponents of a high-voltage power line proposed in Franklin County want the Chambersburg Area School Board to take a stand against the project.

About a dozen members of Stop Transource Franklin County attended Tuesday night's board meeting. Several spoke during the public comment period, asking the board to oppose the plan, which proposes a route that intersects district property and includes the cross-country course. It also would cross near Falling Spring Elementary School.

"Thank you for not signing a deal with Transource," said Leah Nitterhouse, who has two sons who attend Falling Spring. "We need your support, and we need you to continue to fight for our children and the future of Chambersburg.

"I encourage you to stop negotiations with Transource and go on record in opposition to this project."

More:Southcentral Pa. Transource power line may cost more than estimated

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Board Vice President Kevin Mintz said after the meeting that the board declined to vote on anything related to Transource two years ago, when the issue first arose.

"It's no secret Transource wants all the properties lined up," he said. "They are going to come ask us for deals, but we haven't signed anything or agreed to anything with them."

Brandon Stouffer has children who attend Falling Spring, and the proposed line also crosses his property.

"I have put my foot down saying I will not take any dollar amount, no matter what it is," Stouffer told the board. "I think the school board has that same option.

"When it comes to health and safety of students and staff, it should be a No. 1 concern. I'd like to see a response from the school board saying you are in opposition to the project."

Transource recently named a Harrisburg contractor to build the lines, but the company has not yet received regulatory approval of the route.

Brenden Finucane urged the school board to line up with groups such as the Franklin County Area Development Corp. and the county's board of commissioners.

More:Franklin Co. commissioners side with Transource opponents

"There are other leadership groups here in Franklin County who have already gone on record as being in opposition to this project that could have environmental, health and economic impacts," he said. "You wouldn't be making a huge leap into unknown territory to be in opposition to this. Some others have already shown the way. We just invite you to join the group."

Mintz said he is not sure how soon the board might address the issue.

"We'll certainly discuss it to see if we'll have anything future in the way of a public statement," he said. "They're asking us to make a statement. I understand their position. The district isn't going to want to do anything that jeopardizes the safety of students or staff."

Joyce F. Nowell is a Gannett reporter based in Hagerstown, Md.