LANCASTER TWP — With its comprehensive plan now three years in the making, the township will retain the services of a consultant to finish the plan that would guide the township for the next 10 years.

Township supervisors on Monday approved a contract with Downtown Redevelopment Services to handle what manager C. Michael Foote called “complex” issues, such as further developing Lancaster’s planning documents, grant applications and certain code enforcement issues.

The contract will be for no more than $30,000, with Foote saying the firm will bill the township based on the hours for which it performs services rather than a flat fee.

Downtown Redevelopment Services, or DRS, has worked with other nearby municipalities and agencies, such as Evans City, Harmony and Zelienople boroughs and Harmony Fire District.

Foote said DRS’ expertise in certain areas of municipal government will allow the township to reap the benefits of, for instance, a grant writer without having to hire one, freeing up office staff to complete tasks with which they are more familiar.

DRS will also work with the township, according to Foote, as it attempts to solidify its comprehensive plan.

A comprehensive plan is generally a document outlining how best to run a municipality over the next 10 years to meet long-term goals.

Lancaster’s efforts to create a new plan for the 2020 decade were cut short when two managers left the township’s employ. Because the current information on which a comprehensive plan could be built is two years old, Foote said he wants to hold another public meeting or two to gather input from residents.

Supervisors also tabled a collective bargaining agreement with public works employees until March.

The agreement would be between the township and the International Union of Operating Engineers, with the latter the bargaining unit for the township’s road workers. Foote said the township currently employs three road employees, all of whom work full-time for the township.

Lancaster postponed its consideration of the agreement because they wanted “clarification” over some aspects of the document. Supervisors met in a private executive session at 5 p.m. to discuss two matters, including “labor and personnel matters,” Chairman Joe Plesniak announced at the start of Monday’s public meeting.