Buffalo Township’s solicitor has recommended substantial changes to its current draft of an ordinance that would place limits on public comment.

The resolution, which was tabled at an unusual morning meeting late last month and again at Wednesday’s township supervisors meeting, came after a public hearing for two proposed solar farms took several hours as around 35 residents voiced opposition to developer SolAmerica’s plans.

In response, Buffalo Township Solicitor Brian Farrington drafted a resolution regulating comment periods, saying it is “probably necessary” to implement limits for the public.

As it stands, the proposed resolution would set a 10-minute oral comment limit for each agenda item, allowing two minutes for each resident or taxpayer to speak.

That means about five speakers could publicly address each agenda item.

But at Wednesday’s supervisors meeting, Farrington told supervisors he is recommending they raise the individual speaking ceiling and eliminate any total time limit on public comment.

The recommendation comes after Farrington said he received feedback from the community.

The solicitor’s changes would place the resolution closer in line with surrounding municipalities that have public comment regulations.

The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records cites a three-minute limit as a common rule.

Nearby Freeport, Harrison and Tarentum each opt for that three-minute speaking limit per person while setting no restrictions on the total number of speakers. Highlands School Board does the same.

Board President Ron Zampogna said the goal of the resolution is to “cut down on repetitive discussion,” and the board would likely adopt Farrington’s recommendations.

But he said the proposal requires more discussion and would likely not land on next month’s agenda for a vote.

“It’s something we’re just entertaining the idea of; it’s not something etched in stone,” Zampogna said.

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)