Lake Harmony Fire Chief Ralph Lennon made a special presentation to the five Pocono Mountain Regional Police officers.

The officers were first on the scene to a crash off Route 940 on Feb. 26. They rescued a woman from her burning vehicle. Each officer received a plaque.

Challenge Coins were also presented from Kidder Township Police Chief Matthew Kuzma and Fire Chief Lennon.

The honored officers were Officer CJ Dickinson, Officer Scott Dunlap, Sergeant Robert Miller, Officer Carmine Saprona and Officer Adam Bond.

The rescued woman is still recovering from her injuries. She had crashed in Kidder, just west of the Monroe County line.

Supervisors

Kidder Township supervisors heard comments from residents about Blue Ridge Real Estate’s plans for their second warehouse in the township. Many speakers presented arguments and research against the proposal, citing concerns over the environment, noise, light pollution, air pollution and crime.

Residents asked why the supervisors were not following or enforcing the zoning ordinance.

Some residents requested a new traffic study. They pointed out that last one was in 2019, and so much has changed in the township that a new study is warranted.

Other concerns were for water quality, stating that the plans do not adequately address stormwater and run off. There was mention that Francis Walter Dam Road does not have the infrastructure to handle the off-site drainage.

Supervisors were in favor of an extension to May 28 for Camptel Poconos (Maison Hotel LLC.).

Raylene Eckley again asked about using the Albrightsville School House to headquarter the township Historical Society. The issue was inadvertently left off the agenda, but board Chairman Raymond Gluck said they would get this on the agenda for next month.

Attorney Mike Malloy, representing Blue Ridge Real Estate, made his presentation to the board for building project waivers. He referred to how much they have already done to meet township requirements and denied accusations from the public that BRRE would be turning the township into an industrial area.

Malloy said there is no need for a new traffic study, and they have consulted with the Department of Environmental Protection and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

He dismissed public concerns over the cumulative environmental effects of the project. Chairman Raymond Gluck noted several conditions have not been met, and requested BRRE notify the board each time a condition is met.

He said supervisors will act based on the Planning Commission’s recommendation.

Supervisor Noel Torres addressed the audience concerns, saying he had looked into a great deal of information and ordinances and believed it would be an “injustice if we vote against it.” He felt a judge would rule against the township should supervisors deny it and the issue be argued in court.

He assured that this approval does not give “carte blanche” for BRRE to move ahead with their plans. He said the vote against conditional approval and then a court battle would not be a good use of taxpayer dollars.

Conditional approval for the BRRE warehouse project waivers was unanimous. It was noted several times that this is not a final approval and that there is a long way to go until that might occur.