The supervisors of East Penn Township had to rethink its police force once again during Monday's meeting. The issue of an officer in charge was brought to the board's attention by supervisor and township secretary Deanna Cunfer, "For administration purposes we should have an officer in charge, because we don't have a chief, for when people come to the door for police," she said.

Her concerns extend to opening official township police mail, "there's going to be confidential stuff in there," she said.The board had considered abolishing the force all together. According to new township solicitor Jenny Y.C. Cheng, only a resolution could disband the police."I think we need some local presence. I'm not for abolishing it," said Cunfer."I'm with Deanna. We had one officer, he found out a lot more about the crimes that took place by talking to people instead of hiding out," said supervisor John Strockoz.Vice Chairman Richard DeLuca asked to table the issue, "We can name officer (Michael) Fedor as the officer in charge and then explore our options."Fedor has been out on disability from an injury he sustained at his job in Palmerton."I don't have a problem with one officer; I have a problem with only two. What's 80 hours of coverage going to do?" said Chairman William Schwab."Interviewing people would be a good idea. But we do need an officer in charge to open mail and keep us compliant," said DeLuca."There have been issues with thefts, one on Christmas, New Year's and one recently," Strockoz said about the lack of coverage. State police have been working to fill in for the township's lack of police presence.Supervisors voted to pay the remaining balance of $5,741 from the 2009 police pension plan."It was left over by the board before us and we need to pay it," said DeLuca.Money originally budgeted for the now nonexistent police force will be used to purchase tools, equipment and new tables for the Social Hall. Strockoz was authorized to purchase whatever equipment or repairs the municipality may need up to a limit of $10,000. The amount may go quickly however, with the board voting to accept repair quotes for an old paver."We can either repair it or declare it surplus and sell it. They say it doesn't work but no one has looked at it," Schwab said.Truck 22's bed also needs immediate attention with repair options being to sandblast and repaint or replace it with aluminum or stainless steel.According to Schwab, "a lot of our equipment wasn't maintained."DeLuca suggested getting estimates from two body shops and two quotes for a complete bed replacement.