Hummelstown Hunger Run in Its 10th Year

Representatives with the upcoming 10th Annual Hummelstown Hunger Run program spoke at the Hummelstown Borough Council Feb. 13 meeting.

Representative Jill Osevala discussed the Hunger Run’s accomplishments over the years and expressed interest in coordinating logistical matters for the May event with borough staff.

She explained that the Hunger Run features a five-mile run and a five-K course for walkers. She noted that the event has raised over $227,000 for the Hummelstown Food Pantry over the past nine years.

It was feeding 50-60 families each week when it began, and now it feeds 100-120 families weekly, Osevala explained.

“Last year, we had the most participation yet. There were 436 participants and 100 volunteers,” she said.

Osevala also thanked the event’s many supporters, saying, “We have fabulous sponsors.”

Borough manager Mark Stivers and council president Christopher Black were both supportive of the event and suggested that its representatives meet with borough staff at the appropriate time to arrange for road closings, crossing guards, signage and other considerations.

“We want to make sure that the event goes off as smoothly and safely as possible,” Stivers said.

Savvy Citizen Program Approved

Officials in Hummelstown are looking for a better way to get the word out to its residents.

“Since mid-2024, we’ve been searching for means of getting word to residents about issues like trash pick-ups and emergencies within the borough, such as closed roads. Savvy Citizen is a good solution that allows residents to download information from phones or receive emails about emergencies,” Black said.

The council unanimously passed a motion allowing the borough to open a Savvy Citizens account. The borough will pay for this service from several sources within its budget.

According to the Savvy Citizens website, citizens will be able to “get real time updates of what’s happening in your neighborhood by simply downloading a free app.”

The app is available on the Google Play and Apple app stores.

Emergency Repair Contract

The board unanimously passed a motion to contract with the Herbert, Rowland and Grubic, Inc. engineering firm to provide emergency sanitary and storm sewer maintenance and repair. The service contract guarantees that a contractor will be available to respond to an emergency in the borough at any time. It guarantees a set rate, thus ensuring that the borough is not overcharged. It was noted that the borough’s Municipal Authority recently contracted with this service to handle its emergency stormwater system repairs.

Subdivision Ordinance Amendments

Subdivision ordinance amendments governing the planting of trees in road rights-of-way have been prepared. Before they can be adopted, they must be made available for public review, and residents must have an opportunity to give feedback at a public hearing. The date and time of the hearing must be advertised. A decision on the public hearing could be made at the board’s Feb. 20 meeting.

New Borough Collection Company

It was announced that Keystone Credit Services LLC, which has made collections for Hummelstown in the past, is shutting down. The council discussed the NRA and the Accounts Advocate Agency firms as possible replacements. It voted to decide between the two at its meeting on Feb. 20 after it’s determined how much each firm charges.

Criteria for Volunteer Tax Credit

In August of 2024, Hummelstown established a local tax credit of up to $300 for a “member in good standing as outlined in the Bylaws of the Hummelstown Chemical Volunteer Fire Company. This shall include all active fire fighters, active fire police and all social and administrative members of the Company.”

At Thursday’s meeting, the board adopted a resolution establishing the criteria the volunteers must meet to be eligible for the credit. Members must have their primary residence in the borough and meet several other requirements as stated in the resolution. The board voted 6-0 to approve it. Council member Chris Weaver, being a member of the fire company, abstained.

Learn more here.