The public was out again in full force at Franklin Township's supervisor meeting Tuesday, asking about recently adopted policies, police scheduling and more.

Though the supervisors adopted the township's tentative 2015 budget, which secretary Brenda Neeb said is available at the office for public viewing, most all of the two-plus-hour meeting was taken up by public comment.First up, Weissport Borough Councilman Arland Moyer said he was there to ask Franklin Township if it would like to somehow work together regarding both municipalities' police forces.Months ago, Franklin Township Supervisors made a motion to look into possibly downsizing, disbanding or regionalizing the police department due to budget concerns. However, according to Neeb, the matter was never discussed much after that.Both municipalities said they had approached Lehighton concerning possible police proposals but had either been told no or not gotten a response.Chairman Rod Green said Franklin Township will have to look into the legalities of a sit-down meeting with Weissport to discuss the matter further.Further discussion ensued regarding the police, namely the hours they work in regard to why there is often no coverage on certain days, including some holidays."We don't have 24-hour (365-day) coverage ... We do the best we can with the amount of money we have," Green said.In regard to a township towing policy the supervisors adopted at their Oct. 21 meeting, designating towing services that are to be utilized, one resident called the policy "illegal" because it is "creating a monopoly."Jared Hoffman, owner of All-Points Towing in Jim Thorpe, said supervisors had no right to tell the township police and other departments who they should call first in the event of needing to move vehicles for various reasons.Though the policy does state that other towing companies can ask to be added to the list, it also stipulates to make calls from the top of the list down. Thus, argued Hoffman, even if his company were added to the list, he would still be the farthest down on it.He said he wanted to see "a fair and equal towing rotation" and said the first two listed, Frank's Service Center and Schlier's Towing, are essentially one and the same business.Green said the supervisors will check with the township solicitor William Schwab about the policy.In other news, the supervisors approved the purchase of a large pole building for $10,500 and also a 1995 580 case Model L backhoe for $24,000.They also reiterated that volunteers are still needed to help with the Festival of Lights at Phifer Ice Dam's Park.Hosted by the Franklin Township Lions Club, the walk-through outdoor holiday display of lights and music includes a nightly visit from Santa and runs weekends, from 5:15 to 9 p.m., from Nov. 28 to Dec. 23.