Lower Paxton meeting notes

* A police labor contract was approved that includes an annual pay hike of 3-percent for officers this year and in 2010 and 2011. The contract term ends Dec. 31, 2011.

* A bid was approved to install baseball field fencing at George Park at a cost of just under $22,000. Prior to seeking bids, the township staff had estimated that the fencing would cost $50,000.

* The supervisors approved the transfer of a retail liquor license held by a closed restaurant in Swatara Twp. to Gary Huether, Jr., owner of Arooga’s sports bar slated to open at the old KoKoMos at the intersection of Linglestown and Colonial roads. Huether, who attended the meeting and gave menus to the supervisors, still needs to obtain state approval to begin operating the restaurant. The Linglestown Road location will be the third Arooga’s in the Harrisburg area.

Huether had to go outside Lower Paxton to find an available liquor license because the one held by KoKoMos is tied up in bankruptcy proceedings.

In addition, Huether appears to be a very upstanding guy. He plans to install energy-efficient features to obtain a “green” status for the business, and has negotiated with adjoining property owners to obtain additional parking for the site.

* Agreements were approved for PennDOT to install a traffic light on Jonestown Road as part of a reconfiguration of the Colonial Park exit off southbound I-83. The light will be located at the end of what is now the Progress Avenue exit ramp. After the light has been installed, the Colonial Park exit ramp on southbound I-83 will be closed off. More on this issue from WHTM TV-27.

* A plan to construct a three-story, 28-room addition at the Quality Inn on N. Mountain Road was unanimously approved. The motel is located next to the Sunoco gas station.