Kidder Township’s new short-term rental ordinance is ready to be advertised. Kidder Township supervisors and staff, having spent many hours on short-term rentals over the past couple of years, including two recent public meetings, have created an ordinance. At the June 17 regular supervisors meeting, this ordinance was unanimously approved to be advertised.

Kidder supervisors were also unanimous in conditionally approving the land development plans for the Valor Clinic Retreat on Meckes Lane and Route 940. Valor plans to erect a main building, build a memorial park, and create a variety of trails and outdoor amenities.

Kidder Police have a new corporal, as supervisors were unanimous in supporting Chief Matthew Kuzma’s promotion of officer David Mason to the rank. Mason received his corporal’s badge at the meeting. Mason has served as a police officer in Kidder for over 17 years.

The department took delivery of its new drone, which police intend to use for searches and to better see events and incidents. Kidder Police also added two part-time officers, Mason Moran and Jonathan Yaskiewicz. They will start by helping with patrolling during the busy summer season. Kuzma wrapped up his report by asking residents to call 911 for all noise violations.

Roadmaster Bruce Berger reported that the engineering is nearly done for the North Lake Drive paving.

The Lake Harmony Volunteer Fire Company now has a Quick Response Service vehicle, responding to medical calls when the rescue squad is on other calls. Lake Harmony Volunteer Fire Company fire Chief Ralph Lennon would like to get access to fire hydrants as the warehouses are constructed, and with any new project. Gaining lake access for the fire company boat will be raised again with Lake Harmony Estates.

Regarding Lake Harmony’s fire house, the solution to get better radio reception in the building is to install a repeater that will cost $6,500. Neither Carbon County nor the fire company want to pay for this. Kidder Manager Suzanne Brooks has started reaching out to contacts to get a grant to get this installed.

The Albrightsville Volunteer Fire Company asked about getting devices installed at the traffic lights that would turn the lights to red on the approach of a firetruck. Brooks said that she was getting price quotes.

As part of the public comments, Harmony Beverage’s longtime owner, John McElroy, announced his retirement after 41 years. He has sold the business to Paul Wisnieski, who attended the meeting and was introduced. McElroy then made a donation of $1,000 to the Lake Harmony fire company.

Lennon gave sincere thanks.

Also in public comment, Rick Montemuro spoke about wells beginning to go dry. His concern is that new, deeper wells may affect the aquifer that feeds the lake. He thinks that more big users of water may force the township to provide a public water system.

In other business, a proposal to create a minor subdivision on a property in western Kidder, along the border with East Side Borough, has gotten bogged down in definitions. The developer’s plans meet the definition of a major subdivision. After discussion where the developer explained that “no development is planned,” supervisors voted to provide a 90-day extension so that details can be worked out.