The Vanishing Public: Why Nobody Shows Up to Cranberry's Board Meetings

Key Actions & Decisions

• ◆ Five BOS meetings reviewed: Jan 22, Feb 5, Feb 26, Mar 26, Apr 2 (2026)
• ◆ Jan 22: Zero public comment; 672-unit Meeder development approved 4-0 with no resident input
• ◆ Feb 5: One commenter (non-resident from Connoquenessing Twp); all motions passed 4-0
• ◆ Feb 26: One commenter (non-resident from Connoquenessing Twp); Henry Farm 114-lot PRD approved 5-0
• ◆ Mar 26 and Apr 2: Agendas only (no minutes yet); pattern consistent
• ◆ Every recorded vote was unanimous (5-0 or 4-0) across all meetings
• ◆ Henry Farm public hearing drew 2 speakers: one from Sewickley Twp, one Jefferson Lane resident
• ◆ Over .2 million in contract awards approved at Apr 2 meeting alone
• ◆ National data: only 12-19% of Americans attend local public meetings annually
• ◆ Meetings held Thursdays at 6:30 PM — potentially excluding working families
• ◆ Township population: ~35,500 and growing 1.33% annually
• ◆ Contrast: When directly affected (Henry Farm hearing), residents do show up