In public comment at the Towamensing Township Feb. 5 meeting Diane Conner expressed a hope that the supervisors will sign a resolution on the agenda helping residents with the PennEast pipeline issue.

Her hope was fulfilled. However, before the vote Supervisor Tom Newman read three items that he thought should be given consideration.When Beltzville Dam was constructed some people also lost their land. Now environmentalists have a green space and a lake. There are pipelines and an electrical grid system in the township already. Wild Creek Dam brings water to Bethlehem. The electrical grid keeps feeding electricity to our homes and oil and gas lines provide those products to many communities. It would also provide jobs.However, Newman said the meeting with residents was "a dog and pony show" instead of something to allay fears.Newman said Supervisor Penny Kleintop got a runaround and Penn East dismissed an invitation to come to a township meeting.The easements were chosen in a haphazard manner instead of consolidating easements with some already in place.Newman provided a web list presenting both sides of the issue.Other businessSteve Gitch of Keystone Consulting Engineers, representing the Woods Campgrounds, requested waivers.Two drainage basins were to be fenced. Gitch said one was only 15-inches deep and should not need fencing.Interior roads which were 18-feet wide on the plan, but were built 20-feet wide. Shoulders were planned to be covered with shale, but were planted in vegetation to stabilize them.Supervisors wanted the fire chief to check the interior roads to be sure emergency vehicles could get through.Supervisor Guy Seifert said people can drown in 15-inches of water. He said the waivers were requested for after-the-fact items and made a motion to table it until the planning commission can review the waivers. The planners requested that Greg Haas, township engineer, attend the planning meeting to help them understand the issues. That was approved.The treasurer's bond discussed at reorganization has been raised from $550,000 to $1.5 million at an increased cost from $924 to $1,934.An Agricultural Security Area meeting has been set for 2:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27.Inclusion protects farmers from being sued for normal farming practices. Member Roy Christman said he hopes more people will add their land to the area.Kathy DeKorte was named the representative to the Palmerton Area Public Library. She is well-known at the library.Fire police were approved to help at the June 20 Pacemakers Association Car Show in Palmerton.Although announcement was made at the January meeting that snow removal took priority over garbage pickup, there were nasty phone calls again when there was no pickup last Monday.Seifert reminded residents garbage cans may be no larger than 35 gallons with a maximum weight of 50 pounds.Matt George, vice president of the recreation committee, said they want to place storage sheds at the Babe Ruth or new softball fields - or both. Seifert said the township needs a sketch plan and a no-fee permit will be given.Supervisor Penny Kleintop said new swings were purchased to replace those near the concession stand.A future goal is to place a second concession stand that would be more handy for the softball field. Softball signups are low but that may be because many of the signup days were snow days.George asked if they could get portable toilets and Kleintop said it is a necessity and must include one that is handicap accessible.