Penn Forest Twp’s January meeting features exploration of police

by Seth Isenberg

Discussion of the possibility of adding police protection for Penn Forest Township has started with outreach to Kidder Township and Jim Thorpe Borough by supervisors’ chairman Roger Meckes, with meetings expected in the near future. The township currently has no police, relying on coverage from State Police from Lehighton and Fern Ridge (Blakeslee). Supervisors’ vice chairman Christian Bartulovich will be contacting Franklin Township. Resident Dennis Habig offered some statistics opposing the idea of township police, saying that the crime rate is going down. The topic will remain on the agenda as more information comes in.

The township will accept credit card payments once two credit card terminals arrive from Municipay (cost maximum of $700 for the pair). The agreement with Municipay is at no cost to the township, but users will pay 2.65% with a $3 minimum charge.

After a couple of months of work, two quotes finally meet the specs for garage doors for the maintenance building at the transfer station. John Door garage door company of Slatington had the lowest price and was awarded the contract to install three insulated 14′ tall doors, with windows, plus a door opener installed on a fourth door.

Beltzville Lake Estates residents were approved to be exempt from township garbage fees since their association has its own

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Park Recreation board member Jyl Venditti thanked the supervisors for the “excellent” Christmas tree (metal sculpture). A star is planned to be added for next year.

The new salt shed is done at the transfer station, and salt and anti-skid is now in it ready to use, as shown at right. Roadmaster Meckes noted that there wasn’t a lot of activity for the roads crew from winter due to the warm weather and rain.

Code enforcement officer Gregory Loftus conducted 22 inspections of Short-Term Rentals (STRs), responded to 3 complaints, and issued 3 violations for three STRs with no permits (2 of these are getting their paperwork together and from the third there was no reply, so an action into court may be next). Supervisors also raised Loftus’ pay to $22.66 per hour.

Zoning officer Phillip Prout reported 23 zoning permits issued including 5 for ShortTerm Rentals, along with 10 building permits one for a new home.

For the planning commission, William Miller was reappointed to a threeyear term and supervisor James Denier added to the board for a one-year term.

The treasurer’s report for January shows $2,653,981 in the general fund, $1,572,376 in other accounts, and $5,928,266 in certificates of deposit. December bills of $347,078 from the general fund were approved. The big payment was $182,653 to Dutchman Contracting, their second towards their salt shed work. Other large payments were $30,000 each to the two fire companies’ rolling truck fund, plus $13,750 each to the two fire companies for the regular township contribution; a combined $18,200 for taxes to the federal, state, and local entities for the employees; $18,347 to Barry Isett for engineering services three bills, and zoning services; $11,750 to Underdog Computing for new computers and installation; $8,376 for Blue

Shield insurance; $6,061 to Cargill for road salt; $3,499 for fertilizer for the park; and 27 smaller bills.

In other business, supervisors approved a change in policy so that garbage fees for new construction can be prorated; Richard Beers III was hired as a part-time transfer station employee and an as-needed plow truck driver; Ovel Nebs will be brought on as a part-time transfer station employee and plow driver as long as his position clears posting on the union job board; supervisors rejected building a secure lockbox outside of the township building for paperwork etc. to be left after hours; and the township will look for a used four-wheel drive vehicle via MuniciBid for the code enforcement officer maximum cost of $20,000.

The Martini lot combination in Towamensing Trails was approved providing comments from the engineer’s letter from Nov. 30 are satisfied and all outstanding fees are paid.

Penn Forest Township supervisors will meet next on Monday, February 6, at the township building, beginning at 7 p.m.