Penn Forest Township recently awarded bids on a congarage door project.

After a couple of months of work, two quotes met the specs for garage doors for the maintenance building at the transfer station.

John Door garage door company of Slatington had the lowest price and was awarded the contract to install three insulated 14-foot tall doors, with windows, plus a door opener installed on a fourth door.

Other business

• Beltzville Lake Estates residents were approved to be exempt from township garbage fees since their association has its own arrangements for its members.

• Park Recreation board member Jyl Venditti thanked the supervisors for the “excellent” Christmas tree (metal sculpture). A star is planned to be added for next year.

• The new salt shed is done at the transfer station, and salt and anti-skid is now in it. Roadmaster Meckes reported that there wasn’t a lot of activity for the roads crew from winter due to the warm weather and rain.

• Code enforcement officer Gregory Loftus conducted 22 inspections of short-term rentals, responded to three complaints, and issued three violations for three STRs with no permits (two of these are getting their paperwork and there was no reply from the third, so an action into court may be next). Supervisors also raised Loftus’ pay to $22.66 per hour.

• Zoning officer Phillip Prout reported 23 zoning permits issued including five for short-term rentals, along with 10 building permits - one for a new home.

• For the planning commission, William Miller was reappointed to a three-year term and supervisor James Denier added to the board for a one-year term.

In other business, supervisors approved a change in policy so that garbage fees for new construction can be pro-rated.

• Richard Beers III was hired as a part-time transfer station employee and an as-needed plow truck driver; Ovel Nebs will be brought on as a part-time transfer station employee and plow driver as long as his position clears posting on the union job board.

• Supervisors rejected building a secure lock box outside of the township building for paperwork, etc. to be left after hours; and the township will look for a used four-wheel drive vehicle via MuniciBid for the code enforcement officer to use - maximum cost of $20,000.

• The Martini lot combination in Towamensing Trails was approved providing comments from the engineer’s letter from Nov. 30 are satisfied and all outstanding fees are paid.