The Walker Township Supervisors approved several bids at their monthly meeting on Thursday.

Roadmaster Chad Felty advised that there were two fuel tanks that needed to be refilled, and he would need 800 to 1,000 gallons of fuel. Three bids were received: Fegley bid $2.329/gallon, Countryside bid $2.309/gallon, and K&K bid $2.229/gallon. The supervisors approved a motion to purchase the fuel from the lowest bidder, K&K.

Two bids were received for a line painting project for approximately 78,000 linear feet for Valley Road, Catawissa Road, and Wildcat. The lowest bid was from DeAngelo Brothers at 8 cents per linear foot. A second bid was received from Berks Scraping for 8½ center per linear foot.

The supervisors approved a motion to accept the lower bid from DeAngelo Brothers. Felty reported that despite a shortage of paint, DeAngelo assured them that they do have the necessary paint for the project.

In other business

• Assistant Zoning Report: A notice of violation was issued to a property on Valley Road for goats that were roaming off the property and causing damage to other residents’ properties. The property, owned by the Funk family, has been the cause of complaints in the past for noise and disturbances to neighbors.

Another notice of violation was issued for a vacant lot in the Wildcat Development for someone living in a camper on the lot owned by someone in their family. Neighbors had complained about the camper being on the lot.

• New England Fire Company Report: Chad Felty reported that the fire company had responded to five calls in August, four for trees down and one for smoke in a house. Two recent fundraisers, a dance and a seafood dinner, were poorly attended.

A chicken barbecue dinner will be held Sept. 25. Dinners will be drive-thru and takeout only and can be picked up from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the fire company at 7 Miller Road. Advance tickets can be purchased from any member of the fire company or at the Firehouse. For information, call 570-640-6009.

• Road project updates: Chad Felty reported that most of the projects are completed. They still have some pipe work and asphalt in the Wildcat Development, plus some roadways that were washed out from tropical depression Ida, and repairs to a small section on Hatchery Road.

• Kettle Road Improvements Dirt and Gravel Road Grant: Paperwork for Phase 2 of the grant has been submitted, a request for approximately $112,000. Phase 1 is still in progress, funding for Phase 1 was $86,938. The total project is expected to be over $285,000.

• American Rescue Plan Act: Walker Township received the first of two payments; $52,649 has been received and deposited, and the money will be placed in a separate checking account to keep track of how it is spent. The second installment will be next year for approximately the same amount.

Township officials are still looking at the details on how the money can be spent. A question was raised as to whether funds can be used for earlier expenses on some of the road repairs on Kettle Road.

Solicitor Chris Reidlinger indicated that some categories of the package have a “look back” feature, meaning it could be used for a previous project; however, more investigation would need to be done to see if that would qualify.

• The supervisors will begin setting up meetings in October to discuss the 2022 budget. They want to have a budget in place to vote on at the December meeting. No meetings have been scheduled yet.

• CDBG CV small business assistance through the county is available for coverage of losses and expenses due to the pandemic. Up to $15,000 in loan and possible grants available to employers with fewer than 20 employees. Visit the Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance at http://nepa-alliance.org/cdbg for more information and application.

• Schuylkill County has discontinued its recyclable drop-off program. The recycling bins are removed. Clean used waste oil can still be dropped off. The county has enacted an ordinance mandating private haulers to provide curb side pick up of recyclables. Contact your private hauler for more information.

• Walker Township is also seeking another auditor to serve on the board of auditors. This is an elected position. Some knowledge of basic bookkeeping practices is helpful but not required. If interested contact the secretary.