ADAMS TWP — The township is beginning to generate a list of official 2020 goals. The top five were identified by supervisor Chairman Russell Ford at Monday night's meeting.

One of the top goals was finding a better work space for the public works department.

“Our public works (employees) are absolutely out of space,” Ford said. “We need to start looking at where and how we're going to accommodate public works going forward in the future.”

The township has no definite plans for moving or expanding the department. Ford believes adding it to this year's list of objectives will start a discussion about what needs to change.

“Maybe not get it done this year,” Ford said, “but lay out the plan to continue to move forward.”

There have been a number of residents who have suggested the township build a recreation center in Adams Township Community Park, according to Ford.

He said the information has come to the attention of the supervisors via the parks and recreation department.

“There's been a lot of talk,” Ford said. “We are going to be visiting some different approaches.”

Ford said before township officials begin planning a center, public interest needs to be assessed. “Is that something that everybody wants?” Ford asked. “Or is that just something that certain people want?”

Supervisors are also interested in completing the turn back of Three Degree Road. Adams wants to obtain responsibility from PennDOT for about five miles of Three Degree Road that runs through Valencia to Union Church Road.

Supervisors approved a resolution in August 2019 to submit a road transfer request to PennDOT. At the time, PennDOT still needed to approve transfer plans before the township could take control.

The road transfer requires coordination between local, county and state governments.

“We're going to make sure that stays on the front burner, so to speak,” said Ron Shemela, vice chairman. “Make sure our people are still involved in it. Make sure it happens.”

Shemela said the township will gather more information about the status of the project.

Supervisors identified a fourth township goal as the finalization of the township police contract. Ford said this will be a five-year contract.

The township's fifth goal is to finalize the acquisition of the Wygal family property for park expansion.

Earlier this year, Adams Township was awarded a $425,000 state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources grant for the site. The township has discussed purchasing the 103 acres of the property along Hutchman Road for about three decades. The site will act as an environmental space that will likely have pavilions. The sale price for the Wygal property was $800,000. The closing of the sale is expected to be a few months away.

The township continues to seek public input, according to Ford. Residents are asked to share their thoughts. “If there's anything that you as a community would like or would like us to take a look at,” Ford said, “please be transparent.”

Ford told the public that supervisors “normally” don't acknowledge comments made about areas or projects outside the township's jurisdiction. “Sometimes if you don't hear an answer, it's just because sometimes we're not actually involved with it,” Ford said.