The Towamensing Township supervisors approved the 2024 budget with no tax increase.

The supervisors also approved a loan agreement with the fire company, which is buying a used tanker truck. The loan is for $329,000, with the first payment on Feb. 1. Supervisors approved a $100,000 donation.

The township accepted the resignation of auditor Tim Defoor. The township has 30 days to fill the position.

Schoolhouse renovation

The Historical Commission thanked the township for its assistance with renovations of the schoolhouse. A letter will go out to more than 100 families who donated to the project. Thanks were given to Country Junction for selling supplies at a discount.

The Greenzweig’s one-room schoolhouse in Towamensing Township was open from 1892-1955 and sits on a quarter acre property in Palmerton, which was donated to the township by the Kuehner family in 2014.

Earlier this year the township’s Historical Commission began working on the renovation and preservation of the schoolhouse.

In 1892 the cost to build and furnish the Greenzweig’s schoolhouse with desks, as well as securing the deed, was $767.24. In 1896 the school term was only six months and teachers’ pay was $25-$28 monthly.

Much of the work is being done because of the generosity of community members. Last year’s township trash bill included a solicitation asking for support, and several thousand dollars were donated. Paint has also been donated.

There are several ideas regarding how the schoolhouse would be used once it is completed. Those ideas include a museum for farm equipment and a bird sanctuary.

Roy Christman, who has the restored Kibler schoolhouse on his land, is helping to guide the project.

The Historical Commission is looking for volunteers and donations to continue this preservation and restoration project.

Contact Don Bonnet of the commission at 610-671-8807 for more information or to volunteer or make a donation.

Other business

• Gary and Nadine Kleintop got conditional approval to create one new lot with an existing house at 1915 Summer Mountain Road. They are waiting on a letter from the state Department of Environmental Protection for the planning module.

• There were nine emergency calls to the fire department in November and year to date, 101.

• Ryan Snyder will remain fire chief with Robert O’Donnell as assistant chief.

• “Operation Santa” will be this week, which distributes gifts to children from the firetruck. Check the fire companies Facebook page to sign up.

• It was asked that Solicitor Thomas Nanovic draft a letter that will go out to residents regarding false alarm procedures.

• The year-end supervisors meeting is at 3 p.m. Dec. 29. The reorganizational supervisors meeting is at 5 p.m. Jan. 2, with the regular January meeting to follow.