The recent storm may have been costly, but West Penn Township's road department was up to the challenge, officials said.

Township Supervisor Anthony Prudenti praised the township's road department at the board of supervisors meeting on Monday.Prudenti said the area just went through an unbelievable storm, the worst since 1996."We really owe a debt of gratitude to our drivers," Prudenti said. "They really risked their lives for us."Supervisors' Chairman James Dean said he agreed, and added that it's imperative that the residents of the township are safe.Prudenti then thanked the people of the township for plowing, as well as Dean, whoplowed as well.Zoning issueAlso on Monday, supervisors agreed to have Prudenti and board solicitor Holly Heintzelman meet with Steven and Valerie Dunn, the owners of Dunn's Family Market.The couple is scheduled to have a court appearance March 7 at the Schuylkill County Courthouse over prior enforcement action with regard to their farm stand at the intersection of routes 443 and 309 in Tamaqua.A hearing on an appeal filed by the Dunns was scheduled to go before the township's zoning hearing board in December.However, the matter was dismissed due to lack of jurisdiction after it was determined that the zoning board was not the proper party to hear it.Heintzelman said the Dunns were cited by the township zoning/code officer for having numerous plants and display items at their stand beyond the areas agreed to by the parties.The property is located in a Highway Commercial Zoning District.Heintzelman said the issue pertains to enforcement action filed against the couple for merchandise placed in the road right of way; the need to delineate the parking spaces; that they will not expand the use without getting further approvals; and that they've been advertising for a gift shop, which is a new and expanded use.OtherIn other action, supervisors:• Agreed to hire Dane S. O'Brien as a part-time officer at a salary of $15 an hour to start.• Agreed to retire its longtime K-9 Angus, who was in service for over seven years.• Approved 13.3 acres at 181 Dairy Road, 26.6 acres in the vicinity of 137 Dairy Road, and 95.8 acres in the vicinity of 51 Chain Circle, to be added into the township's agricultural security area.• On a 2-1 vote, appointed Pam Dumond to a six-year term on the township's board of auditors. Dean was opposed.• Approved the resignation of Alfonso Martinez from the joint sewage committee.• Agreed to have the planning commission review the sign ordinance and windmill ordinance.• Adopted a resolution related to the township sewage enforcement officer's fee schedule.