Towamensing Volunteer Fire Department is looking to pick up some revenue from advertisements, according to President Eric George.

"We're going to sell signs, similar to what you would see at ball fields," President Eric George said. "They're going to be facing the roads, right near where people will come up to the stop signs."The department plans to sell 3-by-8-foot signs that will be mounted to the fencing surrounding the fire house on Route 209 and Spruce Hollow Road. George said that the signs along the Route 209 portion of the fence will cost $400 a year due to higher levels of traffic, with the Spruce Hollow Road signs priced at $300."Anyone interested in advertising can contact the fire company for more information," George said.At the moment, the firehouse is working on a standardized contract for the sales. George requested assistance from the board for the purpose of any necessary permits. Chairwoman Penny Kleintop said that it is "already in the works."Other businessLongtime fire department secretary Ann Bachert officially retired at the end of January due to health concerns.Bachert was a valued member of the Towamensing team, participating in bingo, the ladies' Auxiliary, and the administrative efforts of the department."We want to thank her for all of the years she gave to the fire company," George said.Michelle Novak will assume the role of secretary for the department.George said that the fire company will be hosting several special events in the spring, including an Easter egg hunt and breakfast on April 9, a yard sale on April 29, and a craft fair in May.George said that the company has started a budget committee, which should help in their efforts to promote better financial accountability."We can have a better idea of what we're bringing in, what's going out, and then we can try to budget so that we have money for the projects we want to do," George said.Fire Chief Jeremy Haydt reported that department volunteers are starting to increase, with four members attending the Monroe County Fire Academy at the moment."That's a positive step forward, a good progression rate. We earned two senior firefighters from the last academy class, and we've got four more rolling, and two in the fall. It's a good rate of progress."The department has launched its official Facebook page, listed under Towamensing Township Volunteer Fire Company.Kleintop emphasized the importance of supporting the fire company, pointing out the call for membership that was included with garbage bills."The one thing that the board would like to encourage is donations and memberships for the fire company," Kleintop said. "Last night at the fire company meeting, there was a positive response with donations and memberships, and we really want to encourage that for our residents."