Supervisor Penny Kleintop announced that people are stopping at the township office to pay tax bills. That was the process before a new tax collector took office in 2012. At the April 5 meeting she said people should go to 135 Kennetta Lane which is off Gun Club Road off Forest Inn Road. It is four-tenth of a mile on Gun Club from Forest Inn to Kennetta.

Turn onto Kennetta Lane and it is the third house on the left, number 135. There is parking available in the driveway. The telephone number is 610-377-4315 or email

towamensingtaxcollector@gmail.com.Hours are Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Extended hours are April 18, May 23 and May 30, 4 to 8 p.m. with the office closed April 21 and May 26.Library Representative Charles Laviolette said the Strohl-In computer center on the second floor of the library is open. A Cans for Fines project will accept a can of food to go to CACPAC for every dollar due in fines.The Historical Commission wants its position better defined and provided a letter asking if it can sell items such as postcards, square nails or horseshoes as fundraisers - if someone makes a contribution to the commission, is it tax deductible? - and would it have its own account in the township records.Roy Christman said the commission was formed in January 2009 and the township allocates some money. He said it wants to raise is own. A letter from Tom Nanovic suggested a meeting be held to determine how it works.The planning commission and recreation commission are also township associated. The recreation commission does do fundraising.If tax deductible donations are made through the township, would the commission need a 501(c)3? Supervisor Guy Seifert asked what funds would be used for. Christman said a field trip is being planned.Commission President Karl Rolappe said it may no longer need money from the township.Glenn Beers said if they create their own 501(c)3 they can accept tax deductible contributions and earn money. He said in experience with Eldred Township he finds that this type of group tends to be frugal, and the township has a line item that the commission controls. He asked if in the distant future it could help with preservation if enough money can be raised.Rolappe said they do not want to get money to save and just keep.Solicitor Tom Nanovic said they should talk to their accountant. A date will be set for a meeting with all concerned.A tax collector fee ordinance was approved. It sets fees for certifications and tax duplicates. A garbage collection ordinance will allow the township to skip collections at a home where fees are not paid. It was also approved.Marian Kramer was hired as part-time clerk and open-records officer. There were six applicants interviewed. Kramer will work Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays at a rate of $11 per hour.The Ag Security Committee met March 23 and April 4. Three parcels, known as the Otto properties, were submitted for inclusion by David Otto and Theresa Serfass. The three total 148 acres.The Department of Community and Economic Development has grants to change the zoning ordinance if money is available. An application will be filed.A prevailing wage resolution requested by the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors will urge legislators to raise the cost of a job before the state-set prevailing rate has to be paid.It will lower the cost of a lot of jobs, said Seifert. The present rate is $25,000 and it is proposed to raise it to $185,000. If passed, it will be adjusted annually.The bid to clear the new ballfield land went to Lonnie Haydt. The Department of Environmental Protection permits are expected by the mid to end of next week.On behalf of the Palmerton-Towamensing Athletic Assocition Rolappe thanked the township for the new field. The township land near Country Junction was seeded for use as another ballfield.It was announced that resident Mary Beth Beers' mother-in-law, Irene Beers, is celebrating her 95th birthday.A letter was received from the Palmerton Library for a link to the township website. That was done.The township is looking into buying a GIS program what will let the zoning office access county informationJohn Stoj of Pocono Photos took pictures around the township. One, a photo of the Koch Road Bridge, was used on a Christmas card and has been made into a large picture and donated to the township. It was described by Kleintop as "a beautiful addition to the township."The wind turbine public hearing, scheduled for April 5, has been rescheduled for May 3, 6:45 p.m.