In Ross Township, some spring activities are underway, while others are on hold until the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

The township building remains closed to the public, so Monday’s monthly supervisors meeting was a conference call between personnel inside the building and participants on the phone.

Road foreman Ethan Brewer said the road crew has begun to prep the roads that were put out for bid, which Hanson Aggregates was awarded at April’s meeting.

Township resident Frank Piraino inquired about a budget for tree trimming on township roads.

“I don’t think we have a budget for it. We will take care of it if the township has the right of way. We can’t take care of it if it’s on a resident’s property,” said Vice Chairman David Shay.

In the past year or two, the road crew has trimmed a few trees and was never denied the opportunity to do so because of the price, Brewer said.

This is “basically an a la carte” expense, Shay said.

Brewer and the crew will trim trees that need minor cutting, but others that are too large or too close to power lines will require a professional tree cutting service.

“A power company was out on Sunday talking to a resident on Mount Eaton Road about a tree,” Chairwoman Tina Drake said.

Residents can contact the township office at 570-992-4990 to let personnel know about trees that hinder sight distance, tree debris in the roadway or trees that are too close to power lines, Drake said.

“I want to be proactive rather than reactive. I see on my morning walks some dead trees and some close to power lines,” said Piraino.

He specifically mentioned trees along Owl Hollow Drive.

Brewer said he would be in contact to schedule a time to check out those trees.

Brewer asked supervisors if he and the crew could switch to four 10-hours days for the spring and summer, which they have done in previous years.

“This is great for social distancing,” Drake said.

The other supervisors agreed and approved it.

The meeting included discussion of zoning activities, which are considered essential during this pandemic, Shay said.

Supervisors passed a motion to let zoning officials continue to follow up on complaints, issue permits and other work as authorized by Gov. Tom Wolf.

Drake and Shay reminded personnel to continue submitting weekly reports and time sheets.

The township was supposed to host a spring cleanup day in mid-May, where residents can bring large items to throw away or recycle in large dumpsters that the township rents every year.

Its annual yard sale day, which occurs on residents’ properties, was scheduled for May 2.

“We’re in a county with a later reopening date. I would hate to be hasty and need to reschedule these events again. Let’s address both events at next month’s meeting,” Drake said.

The motion to wait to reschedule the cleanup day and yard sale day passed unanimously.

In other business

• Supervisors voted 2-1 in favor of obtaining a credit/debit card from 1st Northern Bank & Trust to use in emergency situations and when payment by check is not an option. Supervisors Drake and James Zahoroiko voted in favor. David Shay remained opposed to the decision, as in earlier months when the card was discussed.

• Supervisors voted unanimously to donate $1,000 to Wind Gap Ambulance. This is the same amount they donated last year.

• Supervisors approved the motion to replace the rear tires on its mower. The cost was estimated at $1,500-$1,700 for the set of tires.