Walker Township roadmaster Chad Felty advised the supervisors that they are ready with salt for the upcoming winter. The contract calls for the township to purchase a minimum of 174 tons, the cost approximately $67.63 per ton. The township has about 150 tons in storage right now, which will be mixed in order to prepare for winter.

Felty advised the supervisors that the two fuel tanks have now been filled, as has the heating oil tank for the municipal building. K&K had won the bid at $2.229/gallon, which was approved last month.

The township is looking at possibly purchasing a 1991 International single-axle dump truck from West Brunswick Township. The truck comes with a plow and a spreader. Felty will go to see the truck and determine if it will be a good purchase. The price of the truck was not discussed.

The township line painting project has been completed. DeAngelo Brothers had been awarded the contract, and the project included painting lines on Valley Road, Catawissa Road, Wildcat Road and Mountain Road.

Police report

Chief of Police Doug Springer offered the police report, indicating that things have been relatively quiet. He has been involved in several business checks and residential checks, some traffic stops, a psychiatric incident involving a student at a nearby school, and a complaint of poaching on the south side of Wildcat Development involving extra patrols.

Springer also thanked Felty and other volunteers for their help in the cleanup from recent storms. Walker Township, along with Rush Township and Tamaqua Borough sustained a great deal of downed trees and damage from the storm.

Springer also talked about the possibility of hiring a person as a backup for police, should it be necessary. They have a person in mind, and more information will be provided once they have a chance to speak with him.

New England Fire Co.

Felty said the fire company’s chicken barbecue dinner was very successful, and they are planning a pork and sauerkraut dinner. More details will be released later.

The fire company will be taking part in Walker Township safe trick or treat night to be held Oct. 28 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The fire company handled 16 calls for Sept.; eight were trees or poles down, three pump details, a pole fire, two wires down, and an electrical fire. So far, as of the end of September, they have fielded 72 calls, far above the average of 50 to 60 calls for an entire year.

In other business

• Revisions to the Eastern Schuylkill Planning Region Zoning Ordinance remain on hold. Planning in Walker Township is governed by the 2009 Eastern Schuylkill Planning Region Joint Subdivision And Land Development Ordinance, which includes Walker Township, Rush Township, Schuylkill Township and the Borough of Tamaqua.

When revisions need to be made, each of the municipalities must approve the revisions. Walker Township has its revision ready, Rush Township is not make any revisions. They are waiting now for Tamaqua and Schuylkill Township to prepare their revisions.

• Township officials looked at the new driveway permit form. Previously, they had major and minor driveway permits, with separate application forms for each. Now they are going to use a single form, and rename them to “new” driveways and “upgrades” to driveway.

The current fee is $20 for upgrades, $40 for new driveway. The council will look at the new application form and determine whether to keep the fees the same or make changes.

• Walker Township is now looking at getting debit or credit cards for employees for the purpose of allowing them to purchase things needed for the township and having the township pay for them directly rather than having the employee buy the items on their own and having the township reimburse them.

They are working with Mauch Chunk Trust Company to determine whether it will be better to have debit cards or credit cards. With the credit card, they can get more than one card, one for each employee that would need it. With a debit card, they can only get one card for the township.