The East Penn board of supervisors held a special meeting Monday night to gather public input about three key issues: the police department, the social hall and roads.

"We really need your input. We can't do this in a vacuum," said Chairman William Schwab.Police was the first matter of discussion. Schwab told residents, "Before the current board took over, the full-time police chief James Danner resigned. The other full-time officer is currently on workman's comp from his job in Palmerton."Even though East Penn currently does not have a police force, $131,676 had already been budgeted for the 2016 fiscal year.State police have been filling in the coverage gaps for the township since the chief's resignation."We should disband the department completely and just rely on state police. Anytime I see reports, it's state police," said resident Rodger Diehl. "I had a robbery a few years ago and called township police. Nothing ever came from it. They really aren't doing us any good. We could use that money to get some roads fixed."Larry Owens, a 40-year resident, asked the board about the former chief. "Were there ever allegations about the chief not being on duty or problems with the department?"Supervisor Deanna Cunfer said, "There were allegations, but he was authorized by previous boards to take the vehicle home and drive it to work.""We have passed a motion that township vehicles can't be used out of the township unless on official business," said Schwab.Schwab said when he had incidents at his rental unit, "both times the state police came to investigate."Former supervisor Randy Pfeiffer said. "We've had police problems for a while. That money could be better spent on roads, perhaps take a percentage of money and use it to hire an administrator to run the social hall."Pfeiffer also suggested the board look into past police logs to see how the department spent its time.According to Schwab, statistics of police response to calls or hours logged have yet to be made available to the current board.Resident Tim Kern's concern was response time and the lack of police force. "When it's a robbery or break-in, it doesn't matter as much as when someone has a gun to your head. I don't think the police should be written off the books."Social hallThe social hall attached to the fire department on Blue Mountain Road, was the next subject for discussion.Residents focused their comments on the parking lot, or "mud pit," as Schwab called it. "They should be grading around the building and someone should take care of it. The fire station is attached to it, something should be done," said Michele Beckett.The social hall is part of a blanket loan which includes the municipal sheds and pole building. "We owe $300,000 yet. We used it to refinance and get money for municipal buildings. We can't tell if this building made any money, but it loses $11,000 a year for heating and electric," said Schwab.The post office pays rent for space in the building. The township charges $50 per meeting held at the hall.Renovations are needed, including insulation, new flooring and work to the bathrooms.RoadsRoads have long been a hot-button issue in East Penn, and Monday's meeting only highlighted residents' frustrations.Nancy Hoppel championed Bake Oven road yet again."A lot of people use it for hiking, to get to work and bird watching. There's big rocks sticking out of the road that cannot be covered. Oil pans are getting ruined. There's an oil trail along the road," Hoppel said.Tim Kern said, "Pinewood looks like work seemed to have stopped when the old board was on its way out.""Supervisors will schedule a road inspection that will be open to the public sometime soon. We will have to talk to the township engineer," said Schwab.Schwab estimated that roughly $500,000 is spent on road crew salaries and repairs.The township owns 45 miles worth of road. One mile of repair costs the township $200,000, Schwab said.The budget was adopted before the current board took over.Schwab told residents, "First we have to get a handle on financial areas," before decisions could be made on where township money would best be spent.East Penn's monthly supervisors meeting will take place Feb. 1, when a road inspection will be scheduled.Residents are encouraged to attend to further discuss township issues that were not covered during the special meeting."We need your input," said Schwab.