One resident after another spoke Tuesday night in support of Franklin Township retaining its police department.

The topic has come up for months now, said secretary Brenda Neeb, after supervisors made a motion to look into downsizing, disbanding or regionalizing the police department due to budget concerns.Supervisors have not really discussed it since then, she said; nevertheless, the public has come out every meeting in support of maintaining its police department.Chauncey Hearn said his house alarm was accidentally triggered two weeks ago and within a matter of minutes, his wife called him at work to say a police officer was already there checking out the property and asking if she was OK.Hearn said the quick response impressed him and that also, as a volunteer firefighter, he values local officers' input."I think it would definitely be compromised without having that service," he said.At least three other residents continued the discussion, including Frank Tamburri, who questioned the supervisors about the "abuse of overtime" by the officers, which was discussed at the supervisors' last meeting."Well that's an added expense," said Vice Chairman Paul Kocher. "If it's unwarranted, we'd like to try and control it."Lance Barry, who lives along Fairyland Road in the township, said he understands about the "problems with overtime" with which every township and city is now dealing.However, he told the supervisors his "deep concern" is that traffic along his road has increased tenfold since the recent turnpike detour and that many drivers are daily traveling two or three times over the posted 30-mph speed limit."(The officers') presence has been a little bit more active in our area because of that ... (but) we need to have them out there," he said.He suggested that, rather than cut back on officers' overtime, perhaps more local enforcement take place to generate more revenue.In other news, two township policies were adopted, including a towing policy designating towing services that are to be utilized, and a gift policy, prohibiting employees of the township's various agencies and departments from accepting gifts based on their status as an employee.The supervisors also awarded the sole bid received for an asphalt paver, 2004 model year or newer, to Stephenson Equipment Inc., of Pittston, for $35,800, delivery included.Neeb said Phifer's ice Dam Park will close early so that the Franklin Township Lions Club can prepare for the Festival of Lights, a walk-through outdoor holiday display of lights and music that runs weekends, starting Nov. 28. She also said the Lions are seeking volunteers for its setup.The township's Trick-or-Treat night will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 29.