The upcoming workshop meeting of the Lower Paxton Township supervisors (Tuesday, Sept. 9, 7 pm at the Municipal Center) will feature discussions on some notable topics. In addition to continued deliberations on a proposed mountainside housing development, the meeting agenda includes items about Koons Pool and the proposed cable TV franchise with Verizon. ____ Workshop sessions are held once a month and feature in-depth discussions of issues before the township. The supervisors usually do not vote on issues during these meetings. Unlike regular Board of Supervisors business meetings, workshops are NOT televised. The public is invited to attend.

Hey, park the dog … Lower Paxton officials recently got all warm and fuzzy over a proposed dog park, according to a piece by T.W. Burger in today’s Patriot-News. A commenter on PennLive’s LP forum is a bit dogged by the idea. (See thread #163.) It sounds like limited tax dollars would be needed to give our canine friends a place to hang out and compare notes on their masters. Dial up some TV … Gazette reader and contributor Jay Mumper, who is less than satisfied with the cost of Comcast cable TV, recently asked Lower Paxton Twp. manager George Wolfe about the status of Verizon getting a local franchise for its FiOS TV service. Here’s the response he received from Mr. Wolf:

Well over a year ago, the Township, through the Capital Region Council of Governments (COG), indicated to Verizon that it was willing to negotiate a franchise agreement for television services. However, franchise negotiations begin only when a provider is ready to provide service. Verizon began negotiations with COG municipalities in May of this year. I would expect that an agreement will be in place before the end of the year. After that, it will be up to Verizon when it actually rolls out service.

Tech talk … I’m digging the new Firefox browser that was released Tuesday. It seems to work significantly faster than Internet Explorer 7.

It’s hard to believe that it’s already hump day. Monday holidays always mess up my sense of time. Village briefs … If you’re waiting with bated breath for Verizon FiOS TV to be launched, your wait might be coming to an end in the not too distant future. Verizon has just begun negotiations for a cable TV franchise with Lower Paxton Township, according township manager George Wolfe. … What’s happening with the square project? Well, pretty much the same old same old. Township officials are still trying to nail down right-of-way agreements with property owners, and the Village Committee is trying to make arrangements with property owners to run a public water line through the historic section of the village. The township is still aiming to seek construction bids before the end of the year, said Wolfe. Neighborhood meeting on tap … Stray Winds Area Neighbors (SWAN), a community group comprised of Lower Paxton Township residents who live in the township’s northwest quadrant located just west of Linglestown, will be holding their monthly meeting tomorrow night, Thursday, May 29, 7 pm at Epiphany Lutheran Church, 1100 Colonial Road. Linglestown-area residents are welcome to attend. The group has members attend most township meetings and file summaries of goings-on for a monthly Web-based newsletter. This is a great service for all LP residents! I recently had a chance to meet with Eileen Hurley, the group’s secretary/treasurer, and Watson Fisher, one of the reporters that attend public meetings. Eric Epstein, a notable government watchdog who lives in LP, is a SWAN leader. To learn more about SWAN, check out their Web site by clicking HERE. Koons Park Pool watch … The grass at the pool has been hacked down. Hey, it’s a start. I’ve been told the pool will open mid-June. Restaurant review … There’s a review of the new Mikado Japanese Steak House and Sushi Bar posted on the Linglestown forum on PennLive.com, see thread #381. The restaurant is located at the intersection of N. Mountain Road and N. Lockwillow Avenue that formerly housed Senor Pepe’ Tex-Mex. Business expo coming to area … A first-ever Summer Sales Expo is coming to New Hope Church on Colonial Club Drive this Saturday, May 31, 9 am to 2 pm. The expo will feature local independent consultants and business owners, displaying and selling their products and services. Door prizes will be awarded every half hour and some cash-and-carry items will be available – there’s sure to be something for everyone! For more info, send an e-mail to Laura Bowman.