On the recommendation of supervisor Tom Newman, the Towamensing Township Emergency Management Coordinator, supervisors voted at their Feb. 3 meeting to have township road crews aid fire, police and ambulance vehicles in emergency situations.

Newman told supervisors that a call from 911 had been received for assistance in moving an emergency vehicle (an ambulance) during the snow emergency. That led him to request that a policy be enacted in the township to have road crew help in such emergencies.Newman said he declared a state of emergency on Feb. 2 in response to the state's declaration. He put out emails but said he would like to create a better system for contacting residents.Supervisor Penny Kleintop said since the road crew also picks up garbage, that work will have to wait when there is snow to be plowed.In another matter, the fire company wants to provide its own insurance so it can continue to have member-only bingo with smoking allowed. The township currently provides the insurance but does not cover smoking.Supervisor Penny Kleintop said by approving indoor smoking someone may bring a liability case to the township.Fire chief Wayne Knirnschild said bingo is the company's main fundraiser. He said the company gained 450 new members since bingo was made members only.Campground planEric Snyder, engineer for the Woods Campground, presented a revision to the campground plan. He requested waivers for a right of way radius and a curb radius for a new primary entrance to the campground and for paving the road beyond 50 feet, which was later changed to 100 feet at the suggestion of Supervisor Rodney George.There is insufficient room on the campground property to meet the radii requirement. Supervisors had no problem with the waivers.The revision included a new rain garden basin which is in agreement with the erosion and sedimentation permit.Resident Guy Seifert said although the new entrance off Forest Street will be primary, the original, now secondary, access will still need to be maintained.Solicitor Tom Nanovic read the waiver request that included removing all improvements on the original access. He suggested it be tabled until the supervisors have a chance to study the revision.A single copy of the entire plan including the revision should be available before the March meeting. It was put on the agenda immediately because for the February meeting it had not been included since there was no call for it to be until 3 p.m. of the day of the meeting.In other business:• Resident Roy Christman said all obstacles have been cleared and the township can proceed with its farmland preservation program.• Township ordinances will be listed on the web site.• A pumping agreement was approved for the Jack River Restaurant. The owner plans to install a new septic system. A $2,500 escrow account will be set up to guarantee the pumping until a new system is in place.• Approval was given to purchase a 2011 Ford F250 4x4 with spreader and plow from CoStars at a cost of $35,514. A 2-year-old truck with 11,000 miles on it burned and the township is waiting for insurance issues to be resolved.• Rick Mertz presented a letter of interest to be a member of the planning commission. It was tabled until the commission reviews it.• Karl Rolappe was named chairperson of the historical commission and Dick Bieling is the secretary following reorganization. Meetings are held the fourth Thursday of each month, 7 p.m.Rolappe asked supervisors to approve a letter to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission in an application for a historical marker for Wild Creek Reservoir which was built between 1933 and 1936.Zoning hours for February are 7, 14, 21 and 28, 5 to 7 p.m. or email

info@towamensingtownship.com with subject Christine.