This is a reapportionment ordinance for the redistricting and
realignment of the existing single ward into nine wards that are composed
of compact and contiguous territory as nearly equal in population
as practicable, enacted pursuant to the mandates of Article IX, § 11,
of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Municipal
Reapportionment Act, Act of December 19, 1996, P.L. 1158, No. 177
(53 Pa.C.S.A. § 901 et seq.).
A. By Ordinance No. 2015-2, adopted February 4, 2015, the Board of Commissioners
consolidated the previously existing nine wards of the Township into
one ward with five representatives elected at large based upon its
finding that, as more fully detailed in Ordinance No. 2015-2, the
then-existing nine wards of the Township contained a disparity in
population sufficient to warrant realignment.
B. The Board of Commissioners finds that the Township's existing
one-ward, at-large system no longer serves the best interests of the
Township's voters who, in the municipal election held in November
2015, overwhelmingly demonstrated a desire to restore the Township's
nine-ward system. The Board of Commissioners further finds that a
nine-ward system promotes balanced representation of Township residents
and was originally established in a manner reflecting the historic
villages of Oberlin, Highland, Boyd, Rutherford, Beaver, Churchville,
and Enhaut.
C. The Board of Commissioners finds that the provisions of the Municipal
Reapportionment Act require the governing body of any Township to
reapportion its territory whenever such reapportionment is deemed
necessary.
D. The Board of Commissioners finds that, because of considerations set forth in §
65-1B above, it is now deemed necessary by the Board to reapportion the Township into nine wards, each with a single representative.
E. The Board of Commissioners finds that the nine wards existing prior
to Ordinance No. 2015-2 contained a population disparity warranting
realignment and the boundaries thereof cannot be reinstated under
this chapter without reapportionment.
F. The Board of Commissioners, after examining the existing at-large
system of one ward and a reapportionment plan of nine wards that corrects
the disparity in population present under the former nine-ward system,
and upon considering the Township's historical development, population
concentration, natural boundary lines, and contiguity of wards, finds
that a nine-ward reapportionment plan with the boundaries as hereinafter
described, defined, and specified, with a single representative elected
from each ward, will most sufficiently and appropriately meet the
requirements of the Pennsylvania Constitution and Municipal Reapportionment
Act and the proper functions of government in Swatara Township.
The Township of Swatara is hereby divided into nine wards for
all purposes required under the Constitution or laws of the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania, including municipal elections as hereinafter more
specifically provided. The number of Commissioners of the Township
shall, pursuant to the Pennsylvania First Class Township Code, 53
P.S. § 55504, be nine, one elected by and representing each
of the nine wards. At the next municipal election after the effective
date of this chapter, Commissioners will be elected for the newly
created Second Ward, Fourth Ward, Sixth Ward, and Eighth Ward for
full four-year terms each, from the first Monday of January next succeeding.
In addition, at the next municipal election after the effective date
of this chapter, Commissioners will be elected for the newly created
Third Ward and Seventh Ward for terms of two years, from the first
Monday of January next succeeding. The First Ward, Fifth Ward, and
Ninth Ward will be served by the Commissioners who were elected for
four-year terms beginning in January 2016, i.e., Jeffrey Varner, Edward
Troxell, and Richard Bouder, respectively, until the expiration of
their terms. Thereafter, all elections shall be held in the normal
election sequence as described herein.
In the municipal primary and municipal election of 2017, it is the intent, and in implementation of said intent, the directive, of the Board of Commissioners that, consistent with the provisions of §
65-2 of this chapter and the provisions of the First Class Township Code, 53 P.S. § 55507, candidates will be elected for the newly created Second Ward, Fourth Ward, Sixth Ward, and Eighth Ward for full four-year terms commencing January 1, 2018, and, in addition, candidates will be elected for the newly created Third Ward and Seventh Ward for terms of two years commencing January 1, 2018. The First Ward, Fifth Ward, and Ninth Ward will be served by the Commissioners who were elected for four-year terms commencing on January 1, 2016, i.e., Jeffrey Varner, Edward Troxell, and Richard Bouder, respectively, until the expiration of their terms. Thereafter, elections for the expired terms for the First Ward, Fifth Ward, and Ninth Ward will be held in the normal election sequence, i.e., elections for odd-numbered wards held in 2019 with terms commencing in January 2020, and elections for even-numbered wards held in 2021 with terms commencing in January 2022.
Pursuant to the provisions of existing law, i.e., Section 8(a) of the Municipal Reapportionment Act [53 Pa.C.S.A. § 908(a)] and §
65-4 of this chapter, all Commissioners of the Township presently serving in office shall retain their offices until the end of their respective terms.