Penn Forest Township supervisors hope to get a clearer picture about problems short-term rentals cause the township’s homeowners associations.

At their September meeting, supervisors scheduled a summit of sorts inviting leaders of the nearly one dozen HOAs in the township. It will be held on Zoom at 6 p.m. today. The hope is to get some specifics about problems and possible solutions, including regulations the township could enact to help.

Instructions for registering for the Zoom meeting are available on the township’s website, www.pennforesttownship.org. Written comments and questions can be submitted up until the time of the meeting to secretary@pennforesttownship.org.

In other business

On a split vote of supervisors, Hanover Engineering Associates became the township’s engineers and will provide sewage enforcement officers. Barry Isett & Associates, which had supplied both the township engineer and SEOs, had become very backed up in providing sewage tests and inspections. Efforts to resolve the issue did not produce the results the township wanted. BIA representatives asked to talk about this.

After a lengthy discussion, the vote was 4-1, with Supervisor Roger Meckes opposed, to bring in Hanover. Meckes wanted time to talk to BIA more. BIA continues to offer code and zoning services to the township.

Supervisor Christian Bartulovich got unanimous support to approach Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development for “technical assistance” to study options to gain police coverage for the township. The Governor’s Center for Local Government was asked for help to document options and costs.

Supervisors voted to hire Empire Credit & Collection to attempt to collect about $80,000 in delinquent garbage fees. Empire adds their fees to the amount due, so there is no extra cost to township. A report is promised monthly.

Chris Steyer, co-owner of the Carbon County Savages semi-pro football team, asked permission to use Penn Forest Township Park for tryouts on Oct. 25, and for practices on winter weekends. He also asked if the park can be the team’s home field in 2021 for at least three games from March to June. He was told to check his dates with the township office, and to coordinate with the soccer teams.

Jim Thorpe High School’s cross-country team was approved to host a meet at the park Oct. 7 from 2 to 5 p.m. as long as they provide insurance paperwork.

Supervisors agreed to buy a rake, broom and line painter for the softball field, for $575, which can also be used elsewhere in the park as needed.

At a special hearing that night, no one came to speak against the liquor license transfer to the Penn Forest Plaza Sunoco convenience store, which will allow the store to sell six- and 12-packs of alcoholic beverages. The transfer was unanimously approved.

Prices will be sought for spray foam insulation and a heater for the side of the township’s maintenance building that is not yet insulated.

Drainage work and paving on Stony Creek Road is completed. Shiffer Bituminous will finish their work on the trench crossings contract, then move to complete the park walking trail.

It was agreed to buy a badge identifying Kronos time and labor system for the Transfer Station, at a cost of $900 per year. A similar system for the township office and for the park building was discussed. The Kronos would provide time data for payroll. Supervisors voted to replace the phone system at the township office and upgrade those at the Transfer Station, signing up with FluentStream for a Voice over Internet Protocol system, maximum cost of $1,454.

The 2021 budget planning meetings will be Wednesdays, Oct. 7, 14, 21, and if needed, 28.

Supervisors will meet at 7 p.m. Oct. 5 in person, socially distanced, at the township building on Route 903.