CRANBERRY TWP — With interest high in a committee focused on the relationship between development and the environment, township supervisors appointed more members Thursday than originally planned.

The idea for an ad hoc Environmental Advisory Committee was introduced earlier this year by residents attending public hearings for various Planned Residential Developments. Many spoke about their concerns over the environmental impact such developments have on the community, including deforestation and the disturbance of nature and wildlife.

Supervisors created of the ad hoc committee, which will review the role that an environmental advisory committee should play in future development. According to Dick Hadley, supervisors chairman, the original plan called for seven members. However, supervisors on Thursday appointed 11 members to the committee.

“We've had a lot of interest and a lot of good people that are interested in serving,” he said.

Those chosen include Ryan Baptiste, John Burglund, Tim Casey, Anne Gill, Fred Peterson, Honora Rockar, Zachary Sanctis, Ed Sarver, Erma Scarfutti, Allison Smith and Rodney Smith. A recommendation is expected to be made by the committee to supervisors by the end of January 2020.

“We're excited to see where this goes,” Hadley said.

Art Box Project

The winners of the township Art Box Project contest were announced Thursday, with five artists selected from dozens of submissions.

A collaboration between the township and the Cranberry Artists Network, the pilot project aims to brighten the corners of major roads by wrapping utility boxes in art created by residents. According to Tina Fedko, township communications manager, the township received 91 submissions, which was “far beyond what we imagined.” She said the entries were judged by the Cranberry Artists Network and township and library staff, with five winners selected. They are Debra Tobin, Monica Hietsch, Samantha Podnar, Tom Panei and Karen Lovette. Each will receive a $400 licensing fee for their work.

The first phase will see boxes wrapped at the corner of routes 19 and 228, Route 228 and Cranberry Woods, Route 19 and Rochester Road, Rochester Road near the Meeder development, and Rochester Road and Graham Park. Jerry Andree, township manager, noted Keytex Energy is covering all associated costs, and no taxpayer money was used for the project.

The installations are expected to be in place later this summer.