Injured Penn Forest Township Volunteer Firefighter and Assistant Chief David Vukovic attended last night's meeting of Penn Forest Township Supervisors in a wheel chair. Last month at the Board meeting, some Supervisors were unclear of the specifics of injuries sustained when Vukovic was injured during the line of duty and made statements regarding liability.

With the support of fellow volunteers, Vukovik made his way into the township building giving witness that the injuries sustained were indeed serious and cause for concern for the future of the 26-year-old self employed electrician.Vukovic addressed Supervisors from the back of the room and spoke humbly of his gratitude for the community which has rallied around him showing both support and with the finances to solicit donations to facilitate his rehabilitation with the David Vukovic Fund at Penn Forest VFC #2 PO Box 125 , Albrightsville, Pa. 18210.The timing of Vukovic's injury has coincided with beneficial dialogue with supervisors addressing not only liabilities for the township but the value of the Fire Departments in general within the township and what exactly is needed to sustain a vital force in addition to responsibilities and oversight.Ray Royer, a resident and firefighter and outspoken critic of the township having two fire departments, said the departments are ill equipped and lacking safe equipment within the township. He said to Supervisors during the meeting, "You guys voted for two departments"He spoke out again about unsafe and hazardous conditions with old equipment in the department saying pointedly he disagreed with Firefighter Floyd Day who acknowledged some problems but reiterated that they were being addressed.A resident came before supervisors saying her home owners insurance for the past 30 years has increased by over $300 per year. The increase, she said, was because of the Fire Protection Rate reading from the letter she received, "I'm giving you a heads up and I think it will affect a lot more people."Supervisor and Chairman Paul Montemuro asked the resident at the podium which fire department did the insurance company cite?She said that it was Penn Forest Volunteer Department # 1 additionally, the insurance company told her it was Jim Thorpe, the town."The town of Jim Thorpe," she said. "The whole town has apparently a lowered rating too."Various reasons for this drop in rating were discussed but more importantly, it raised questions. It may even surprise residents, who could receive a substantial increase in homeowners insurance when the bill arrives, as no one else claimed. Royer said he told Supervisors about this issue months ago.Dialogue ensued over response times, bad record keeping and water availability and proximity to homes. Mostly discussing the issue were presumably volunteer firefighters who remained seated but clearly interested in engaging in the dialogue.Reasons for a decline in fire rating were inadequate equipment and negligible record keeping calling to attention deficits within the departments which Royer implied should not have been split in two to begin with.Floyd Day again said, "There's something underlying this."In the back of the room Vukovic stayed for the duration of a nearly two hour meeting in what appeared to be a very physically uncomfortable place in a wheel chair with one leg jutting straight in a cast but at all times he gave the impression his interest was in solidarity with his fellow firefighters around him.An executive session resumed to the public and effective immediately the office of zoning would be assumed by Engineering Firm Barry Isett who Supervisors voted and agreed would attend Public Meetings when necessary eliminating the Zoning Office and eliminating Darlene M. DeCurtis' position.Supervisors considered eliminating the necessity for Solicitor Thomas Nanovic to a attend public meetings every month, but it died when considering what it would cost without counsel in.Longtime Resident Walter C. Gibbon said that the transfer station in the past has long been due for an overhaul, he reiterated to supervisors, "It borders on criminal, bogus receipts, changing receipts, poor judgement…this is a good group of people here," he said. After the meeting he said that he cares deeply about this community and is retired from Law Enforcement. He said that he is very hopeful for the future of Penn Forest and with how this Board will conduct business. "I'm just a concerned resident, is all."