All members of East Penn Township's road crew will be required to have commercial driver's licenses to operate township trucks within 90 days.

This was one of numerous street-related topics that occupied most of Monday night's meeting of the township's board of supervisors.The supervisors voted 3-1 to require the CDLs. Any road crew member presently without such a license has 90 days to come into compliance.Only supervisor Jacob Nothstein was opposed. In favor were Deanna Cunfer, David Bryfogle and John Struckoz.The supervisors didn't determine what action will be taken if an employee doesn't pass the test required for a commercial license.Bryfogle asked, "If they do not pass within 90 days, will they be terminated?"Attorney James Nanovic, township solicitor, said this will have to be discussed.Cunfer said the action was needed because the township doesn't have enough CDL-licensed drivers.In other matters• The supervisors rejected the only bid it received for its 2015 road tar-and-chip project. The bid from Asphalt Maintenance Solutions totaled $53,031.36 if a single coat would be applied and $97,104.72 for a double application of materials.Cunfer said the firm indicated it could start the project this year but probably couldn't complete it until next year. The project encompassed Troxell's Hill Road, Dieter's Hill Road and a section of Municipal Road.The supervisors agreed they don't feel the project should extend over two years.• There were complaints about what residents said was the lack of maintenance of several township roads. Nancy Hoppel said Bake Oven Road is in poor condition. She said to the supervisors, "It's a safety issue." She said she complained last year about the road and nothing still has been done.After complaints about several other thoroughfares, Nothstein said, "We don't have the money to fix all the roads."Struckoz suggested that the township look into using milling material to make road repairs, which is a recycled material. The township will look into this.• There also were complaints about the township work crew doing shoulder work on the roads, which those complaining said is causing erosion and other problems. Bryfogle said he would like to see such cutting discontinued, but Cunfer termed it "a necessary evil." She said without the work, flooding issues will occur at some locations.• One woman asked if the township road foreman has the qualifications needed to perform his job. Cunfer said the foreman, Cory Smith, has taken numerous courses. She said other work crew members also have taken courses and are considered "road scholars."• The supervisors agreed to have township employee Ryan Heckman serve as work leader for the road crew when Smith is absent.There will be no change of pay for Heckman, the supervisors said.• The supervisors said they want to negotiate with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation a winter maintenance agreement that currently exists for several state-owned roads within the township.PennDOT sought to renew the agreement through April 30, 2020. Last year the township received $18,817 from PennDOT.Bryfogle said that amount doesn't cover the expenses involved in the road maintenance, which includes calling road crew workers out when drifting occurs from blowing snow. This often results in the paying of overtime wages.In addition, "it's tearing our equipment up," Bryfogle said.In one other piece of business, Cunfer, who is also the borough secretary, said her hours at the township building this week will be flexible because of a number of meetings she has scheduled. She advised anyone coming to the township building for business to call first.The township office will be closed on Labor Day.Next month's meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Sept. 8 because of the Labor Day holiday.