Charles Stull, Gilpin Township Supervisor

06/04/2026

I was glad to attend today’s unofficial ribbon cutting for Armstrong Terminal, Inc.’s Dock Renovation Project in Schenley.

This project is a huge win for Gilpin Township, Armstrong County, and the entire region. It is also the kind of project that shows why local economic development, long-term planning, and bringing state and federal officials directly to our communities matters.

Gilpin Township has supported this project from the beginning. Our board in 2024 even amended our floodplain ordinance to allow this development, changing regulations that had previously been the strictest permitted under state and federal law to the loosest allowed under federal law. Previous regulations prevented any future development within the floodplain. The township also provided a letter of support for the project and worked closely with the project engineer throughout the floodplain permitting process to help move the project forward.

This project also builds on the broader effort to highlight the Schenley Industrial Park as one of our area’s most important economic development opportunities. In 2023, Gilpin Township, through it’s then-operating Industrial and Economic Development Advisory Committee, hosted a tour of the Schenley Industrial Park with local, state, and federal officials to draw attention to the site’s redevelopment potential, infrastructure needs, river access, industrial history, and future opportunities. That tour helped put Schenley back in front of decision makers and showed why this area deserves serious investment.

Today’s project is a major example of that potential becoming reality.

The project represents nearly $2.86 million in improvements to a critical commercial docking facility on the Allegheny River. The existing dock infrastructure included approximately 600 feet of sheet pile installed in the 1930s and 1940s and was no longer designed to handle today’s heavier material unloading demands.

This project will modernize the facility with approximately 400 feet of new sheet piling, tie-backs, bollards, mooring rings, ladders, and a new concrete working surface to support safer and more efficient operations.

Armstrong Terminal is already an important part of the agricultural and industrial supply chain, handling bulk and break-bulk materials such as feed and fertilizer products, while also providing warehousing, transloading, processing, and distribution services. As the northernmost commercial dock on the Allegheny River, this facility has the potential to serve as a main port for our area and support additional industrial development throughout the region.

Once completed, this project is expected to triple the facility’s capacity and workforce. That means more jobs, more private investment, stronger river commerce, and greater opportunity for businesses that depend on efficient access to materials and transportation.

This project was made possible through a strong partnership between Armstrong Terminal and public funding partners:

Total Project Cost: $2,856,771

DCED/CFA Multimodal Transportation Fund Grant: $1,000,000

PennDOT Multimodal Transportation Fund Grant: $800,000

Armstrong Terminal, Inc. Investment: $1,056,771

Projects like this take years of planning, permitting, grant writing, engineering, and coordination. Initial design and permitting began in 2021, grant applications were submitted in 2023, state funding was awarded in 2024, bids were received in 2025, and construction is expected to be completed in 2026.

Thank you to Armstrong Terminal, the project engineer, contractor, state funding partners, elected officials, and everyone who supported this effort through grant assistance, letters of support, permitting, planning, and coordination.

This is exactly the kind of investment our area needs. It strengthens an existing local business, supports agriculture and industry, improves river transportation, and helps position Armstrong County for future economic growth.

06/01/2026

Leechburg Area Pool coupons available to township taxpayers!

The Gilpin Township Board of Supervisors has allocated $3,000.00 from their 2026 Recreation Budget to the Leechburg Area Pool Board of Directors. As a token of their appreciation to the residents of Gilpin Township, the Pool Board has agreed to provide one (1) “½ off” General Admission Coupon to Gilpin Township taxpayers for every $50.00 paid in Township property taxes (portion of your spring tax bill) for the current taxes for 2026 fiscal year. These coupons may be used any day during the 2026 Swimming Season.

Additionally, taxpayers who are members of the pool may redeem an amount set by the pool off of their membership.

Coupons can be picked up at the Gilpin Township office during normal business hours. Please feel free to call the Gilpin Township Secretary’s office at (724)845-0981 with any questions.

05/25/2026

Today was a great reminder of what Memorial Day is really about.

I enjoyed spending time with family and friends, attending the Leechburg Memorial Day parade and Memorial Day service. Like many people, I also appreciate this weekend as the unofficial kickoff to summer. It is a time for cookouts, parades, time outdoors, and moments with the people we care about most.

But none of that is possible without the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country and in defense of our freedom.

The ability to gather peacefully, enjoy our communities, raise our families, and celebrate the beginning of summer was paid for by those who never made it home. Memorial Day gives us the opportunity to enjoy those freedoms while also remembering the cost behind them.

I am grateful for a beautiful day with family, friends, and community, and even more grateful for the brave Americans whose sacrifice made it possible. Freedom is never free, and today we remember those who paid the ultimate price.

05/17/2026

It’s everyone’s favorite time of year!

We are painted and ready to fill. We open Saturday May 23rd at Noon. See everyone soon!! Hours 12-8 Saturday - Monday this upcoming holiday weekend.

05/14/2026

I was proud to help plan and attend a successful Armstrong County Association of Township Officers conference, themed around America250 and the upcoming 250th anniversary of our nation!

Thank you to all of the speakers, vendors, township officials, and attendees who helped make the event a success. These gatherings are important for supervisors and other local officials to continue learning, sharing ideas, and working together to better serve our communities.

I am also honored to share that I was elected Second Vice President of ACATO, moving up from my previous role as Third Vice President. I appreciate the confidence of my fellow township officials and look forward to continuing to serve the organization.

I am especially excited to help plan ACATO’s first fall convention in more than 20 years, in partnership with the Armstrong County Borough Association. Bringing township and borough officials together will help strengthen cooperation across Armstrong County!

05/01/2026

Attention Leechburg neighbors ‼️ It’s that time of year again! We will be having a fireworks show tomorrow, May 2nd at 9pm! Friendly reminder for any pets who may not like the noise, or if you live close and like to see the show 🤩✨

04/24/2026

🚨🚨🚨Attention Gilpin Township🚨🚨🚨

Although the sign is new, the restrictions are not.

Please follow the regulations. Semi trucks on these back roads create serious safety risks — the roads are too narrow, and utility lines aren’t consistently high enough to accommodate large vehicles.

Fines for violations can exceed $15,000.

All trucks delivering to the industrial park MUST use Schenley Road.

04/22/2026

Allegheny River Development Corporation - keeping the rivers of Gilpin Township lockin’!

📣The 2026 ARDC Lock Schedule is here!! We are so grateful for our continued partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District and all of the lock operators who are willing to dedicate their time to help us keep the locks open for recreational traffic!

As a reminder, anyone handling lines in the locks MUST wear a life jacket. This is non-negotiable and is for your safety while in the locks.

ARDC totally funds locks 6 through 9 and partially funds locks 4 and 5 and we CANNOT do any of it without YOU. 100% of your membership and donations go to support the cause of keeping the locks open for recreational traffic. We sincerely thank those who have already purchased memberships and donated! If you still need to get your 2026 membership or would like to make a donation, you can do so by visiting our website at https://www.alleghenyriverdevelopment.org/membership-and-sponsorship.

We’re working hard to get recreational lockages to count on the Allegheny River. You can also help by writing to your local political leaders and letting them know how important the locks are to you and that your lockages count too!

ARDC - We Keep You Lockin'!

04/21/2026

Due to technical difficulties, tonight’s meeting was not live-streamed as planned. Here is a recap of the Gilpin Township Supervisors meeting:

Supervisors first held the required public hearing on a zoning amendment establishing regulations for data centers and related uses. No objectors were present. Armstrong County Commissioner Anthony Shea attended and shared his experience visiting operating data centers in Virginia, noting there is active investor interest in the shuttered ATI Bagdad Plant and the Schenley Industrial Park.

Supervisors then opened bids for emulsions and aggregate, awarding contracts to Suit-Kote and Buffalo Limestone, respectively.

Supervisors approved Ordinance No. 2 of 2026, enacting a Skill Machine license tax, by a 3-1 vote, with Supervisor Jeremy Smail opposed and Chair Tina Thompson absent. This ordinance establishes a $350 annual license per machine, requires registration and display of licenses, allows inspections for compliance, and provides enforcement mechanisms including penalties for unlicensed machines.

Supervisors also unanimously approved Ordinance No. 3 of 2026, adopting comprehensive zoning regulations for data centers and data center campuses. These standards include requirements for water supply and feasibility, environmental impact studies, noise and vibration limits, emergency response planning, buffering from residential areas, and full decommissioning at the end of a project’s life. Data centers are permitted only as conditional uses in the Industrial District, ensuring full public review prior to approval.

In addition, Supervisors approved a resolution to submit a Phase II Park Improvement Grant for the Gilpin-Leechburg park project and committed a $5,000 match in the 2027 budget if awarded.

Supervisors also approved the advertisement of Articles of Incorporation for the Gilpin-Leechburg Joint Recreation Authority. These articles were authorized at a previous meeting via Ordinance No. 1 of 2026

Following reports and with no additional business, the meeting was adjourned.

04/20/2026

Today at the PA State Association of Township Supervisors Annual Conference in Hershey, I had the privilege of watching Sharon Long, Gilpin Township Secretary/Treasurer, receive recognition for 30 years of dedicated service to Gilpin Township.

Sharon was first hired by Gilpin Township as Interim Assistant Secretary/Treasurer on May 13, 1996, and has faithfully served the Township ever since. Over the years, she has taken on numerous roles, including pension administrator and zoning officer, all while handling the many responsibilities that come with running a township office.

Through hard work, consistency, and a deep commitment to the community, Sharon worked her way up to the position of Secretary/Treasurer, where she continues to be an invaluable asset to Gilpin Township.

It was great to be there to see her recognized for a career defined by dedication to public service. Congratulations, Sharon, and thank you for everything you’ve done for Gilpin Township!