Three members of the Penn Forest Township Park Advisory Board submitted resignations at the township’s supervisors meeting last week.

Todd Fox, Robin McGeehan and Jennifer Bevilacqua, members of the board since the early days of the park, sent letters which were accepted by supervisors with regret. There was no other discussion.

A follow-up after the meeting found that the three each chose this time due to other obligations, but all will continue to volunteer at park events. The park board was one thing too many for each and it was time to step aside.

Supervisors voted to accept Tammy Meckes as a new member of the park board, based on her letter of interest.

Residents interested in serving on the board should send or drop off a letter to the township or attend the upcoming meeting of the PAB at the park starting at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 18.

Delinquent accounts

Two requests by property owners to make payments plans for their delinquent garbage accounts were accepted for the first time.

Discussion on this led to a $5 administrative fee being set per payment.

Language about payment plans will be revised in the garbage ordinance for 2025’s collections.

Other matters

When the treasurer’s report was accepted, there was discussion about getting higher returns on the township’s over $6 million dollars of CDs, now with Mauch Chunk Trust.

It was agreed to prepare bid documents ahead of advertising for a new solid waste disposal contract. The current five-year contract ends at year’s end. It was also agreed to advertise for winter snow removal bids for the 2024-25 season.

Ads will also be placed for bids for line painting on township roads this fall.

It was agreed to alarm the maintenance shop bays at a quoted price of $465 on a 4-0-1 vote, Supervisor Jim Denier of Control Security abstaining.

Regarding Penn Forest Park, plans to book with the fireworks company for the 2025 and 2026 fireworks displays were delayed when prices were not sent in ahead of this meeting.

The board hopes to hold the displays on July 5 of next year and July 4 of 2026. A discussion about asking for donations from area businesses toward the cost led by supervisor Dr. Patrick Holland gained no traction.

It was agreed to set aside up to $1,000 for additional portable toilets for the township park for the week with Fall Fest on Sept. 14, and an eight-school combined cross-country meet on Sept. 17. The Jim Thorpe Olympians High School team hosts all the other schools in their conference for this meet, which they expect will draw 223 runners and over 100 spectators.

The Connor Dugan Memorial Fund 5K on Oct. 6. Chelsey Cosslett, organizer of the Minty Miler one-hour walk/run fundraiser, received approval for her event to be held Dec. 14. She is welcoming participants and answering questions on her event via chelsey44544@yahoo.com.

As roadmaster, supervisors Chairman Roger Meckes announced the 2024 pavement projects are complete. Some patching remains on some drainage cuts to complete all work for the year.