Schuylkill County's grant writer Gary Bende, and Karen Parish of the Department of Community and Economic Development attendedthe Schuylkill Townshipsupervisors' meeting Wednesday to talk about a schedule for the Tuscarora water line project.

Last month, Schuylkill Township supervisors announced they'd been awarded the $500,000 DCED grant.During the meeting Wednesday, the supervisors chose Alfred Benesch & Co., Pottsville, to provide professional services for the project.Bender said that 45 engineering firms had expressed interest, with 6 responding. Now that the supervisors have chosen Benesch, the company will develop bid specifications, he explained."Getting a half-million grant for a project in our township is great," said Supervisor Christine Verdier."It will improve the quality of water for Tuscarora, and also improve safety in the township."Residents in attendance complained about the condition of Valley Road, saying that the heavy trucks are associated with a coal company business, Tuscarora Coal Company.Secretary Mary Bubel said that as per an agreement established in 1970, the company pays the township $1,000 toward upkeep of the road.Some citizens have suggested actions which would block truck traffic on the road, such as having the road posted as "local delivery only" or establishing a prohibition on engine brake retarders, commonly called "jake brakes."But Verdier said that establishing a road as fit for "local delivery only" would require expensive engineering work.Also, Verdier explained, the township has received a response from its requested Pennsylvania Department of Transportation study, which says that the road exceeds a 4 percent downhill slope.That means the engine brake retarder prohibition is not warranted, according to PennDOT, Verdier said.In other action, regarding the Mary D Recreation Complex, citizens learned that 17 bluebird nesting boxes will be installed through a joint effort by Schuylkill Headwaters Association and the Port Carbon Cub Scout Troop.The poles and boxes will be installed sometime in May.The supervisors reminded citizens that although dogs are allowed at the complex, they must be on leashes.