Franklin Township Supervisors on Tuesday granted motions for the hiring of both a new full-time and part-time officer in the township.

David Roberts will be joining Franklin Township as a full-time officer starting Sept. 20. Derrek Koch has also been hired on the force as a new part-time officer. Koch started on Sept. 14.

Chief of police Jason M. Doll was reappointed as chief in a new agreement that runs through December 2025.

Speeding concerns

In public comment, residents raised questions on what is being done to help deter the increasing number of speeders as well as other related traffic concerns in the township.

Supervisors’ Chairman Jason Frey said, “I’ve heard about a lot of complaints on speeders in the area recently.”

Council suggested using the township’s electronic speed control sign that may help slow people down a bit.

Supervisors’ Vice Chairman Robin Cressley said, “The police chief will be invited to attend the next meeting to talk to those concerned about what steps are being taken to catch speeders and what else can be done. With the recent new additions to our police force, there will be no shift left open. With round-the-clock police coverage, residents may see a decrease in speeders.”

In other business

• A motion to approve Jim Thorpe’s Police Department’s request for assistance by Franklin Township’s Volunteer Fire Police was granted for help with coverage during some weekend dates throughout October to assist with traffic and controlling crowds of tourist visiting our area to view the fall foliage in downtown Jim Thorpe.

• A short report was given by Secretary Brenda Cressley, who noted a change to garbage collection for the Columbus Day holiday. Oct. 12 pickup is now Oct. 13.

• Franklin residents are invited to participate in the upcoming electronics recycling event scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon on Oct. 24.

• “Allocated liquid fuels funds are $18,500 less than the previous year for our township,” Cressley said, suggesting that COVID-19 may have something to do with the decrease projected for the upcoming new year.