Part of the land surrounding the reservoir off Lindsay Road. Submitted Photo

After hours of deliberation stretching late into Wednesday night, June 11, members of Evans City Borough Council narrowly approved the sale of a 132-acre reservoir property to Jackson Township in a 3-2 vote, ending a two-year dispute between the neighboring municipalities.

Under the terms of the agreement, Jackson Township will pay Evans City $1,204,000 — the appraised value of the land — and annually contribute $40,000 to the borough’s EDCO Park for the next five years.

Jackson Township officials, meanwhile, have indicated they plan to develop the site along Lindsay Road into a public park.

Council members Rob Reppert, Patty Tumminello-Murphy and Mark Widdersheim voted in favor of authorizing the agreement; while President Cheri Deener and Councilman Brad Rubinosky were against it.

“I don’t really trust any of it because of the way the process went down,” said Deener on why she voted no.

Wednesday’s narrow vote was the latest chapter in a lengthy back-and-forth between the two municipalities.

Jackson Township previously approved the agreement through a resolution on May 15, which shifted the responsibility of passage to Evans City.

Initial talks began in late 2023, when Jackson Township proposed acquiring the property in exchange for providing police coverage to Evans City, which was preparing to dissolve its joint police force with Seven Fields. When those discussions ultimately broke down, any potential deal was temporarily put on hold.

In 2024, Jackson Township filed for eminent domain to take control of the property — a move Evans City challenged through a land-use appeal in June 2024 after Jackson rezoned the site to a conservation and recreation district. That legal push failed, but talks resumed in recent months as both sides sought a compromise.

Jackson Township is expected to withdraw its eminent domain filing as part of the agreement.

Township officials have said the future park would preserve the natural landscape but there are potential plans to add trails, fishing access and educational features. A development timeline has not been announced.

For Evans City, the agreement brings a significant financial windfall into EDCO Park, one that officials have not had the luxury of in the past.

While nothing is decided, Deener said the sustained investment could be used on a new pool heater or another pavilion. Those discussions could begin in the coming months, she said.