The relentless summer rain pattern has done more than wreak havoc on mowing and planting schedules. It’s also created messy roads, littered with lawn debris, mud and leftover cinders from last winter.

During a meeting Thursday, Rush Township Supervisors approved spending $180,000 for a street sweeper, manufactured by Medco. Supervisor Robert Leibersperger said that the new sweeper has a vacuum system, pressure washer and dump trailer. Rush Township’s existing sweeper was a brush attachment on a tractor, which wasn’t getting the job done, they said.

The supervisors also conditionally approved plans involving upgrades for Turkey Hill, located along Route 309. The convenience store is undergoing a major remodel, including the addition of a seating area inside. As part of the upgrade plan, Turkey Hill is annexing an empty adjacent lot, with plans to expand the parking area and possibly add more gas pumps with covered canopy.

Rush Police Chief Ken Zipovsky said that the department has been awarded a JAG grant, which is short for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant. This program assists state, local and tribal law enforcement efforts to prevent or reduce crime and violence. Zipovsky said he’ll use the money to purchase a mobile radio, which will mean that all the township’s police vehicles will have mobile radios. Zipovsky said he’ll also take a look at upgrading policies regarding the use of the radios.

Rush Township Police responded to 212 incidents in May, which included 58 traffic citations, 16 traffic crashes, 11 ambulance assists, eight criminal arrests and eight retail theft incidents.

In other action, the supervisors:

Adopted an ordinance prohibiting the accumulation of junk, either exposed or covered, and to prohibit parking motor vehicles without current license plates or inspections. Township engineer Bill McMullin, Arro Engineering, said that although the international property maintenance code includes an ordinance targeting the same issues, the new ordinance adds the specific language “exposed or covered.”

Reappointed Thomas Klein Jr. to the zoning commission and reappointed Cathy Riotto to the planning commission.

Adopted the Eastern Schuylkill Regional Subdivision and Land Development and Zoning ordinances. Rush Township is part of a regional entity which also includes Tamaqua, Walker Township and Schuylkill Township. Each of the entities must adopt the ordinances.