Lower Towamensing Township supervisors approved the resignation of the municipality’s secretary/treasurer at their meeting Tuesday night.

Brent Green, the chairman of the supervisors said that Jennifer Ketchledge resigned in order to take a full-time job in the Carbon County Election Office as election director. Her resignation is effective as of March 9.

The supervisors also accepted the resignation of James DeRosa on the Lower Towamensing Township Zoning Hearing Board. The supervisors knew about the resignation before their meeting in February, but officially accepted the resignation at this meeting.

Ralph Cortazzo submitted a letter of interest in the open seat prior to the meeting.

“Does he have any experience,” asked Supervisor Mike Takerer.

Green said he doesn’t think he does.

“With the hearing coming up, it needs to be someone with experience,” Green said.

The zoning hearing board has a hearing on Tuesday. Green did follow up with a comment that the other two board members have experience, and Cortazzo has attend several supervisors meetings, so he is familiar with meetings.

Solicitor James Nanovic said they could appoint him as an alternate for a year and make a decision later.

The supervisors considered appointing Cortazzo to the position as a regular member of the board, but opted for the alternate idea and notify residents of the zoning board opening.

Cortazzo will be listed as an alternate for a period of one year. As an alternate, he has the authority to sit on the three-member board for hearings and vote any time a regular board member is absent for a hearing.

“If anyone is interested, they should contact the township,” Green said.

In other business, the supervisors approved renting a self-propelled broom for street sweeping. They estimate the rental will cost $2,000 per week, but have not decided on where they will get it.

Some residents said they disliked the sweeper, because it brushes the little gravel into their yards. Resident Jay Mullikin suggested that they rent a vacuum truck. After further discussion, it was decided that a vacuum truck would be too expensive.

The supervisors decided to ask the road master to gather up piles of gravel left behind from the street sweeper and redistribute it on township property where it can be used for another purpose, such as fill holes in gravel lots.

The supervisors also approved the tax repository tax sale to Palmerton of a sliver of land on Forest Inn Road adjacent to land owned by Palmerton. The property was once part of the estate of Lawrence Marra Sr.

Under supervisors’ reports, Green said the state now allows municipalities to provide a 100% tax exempt for volunteer firefighters and emergency management technicians. He wants to offer the 100% tax exemption for Lower Towamensing Township taxes to its residents who are volunteers at the Aquashicola Volunteer Fire Co.

Green said he also would like to talk to neighboring municipalities to see if they would offer the exemption to volunteers living in their municipalities who are active at the Aquashicola Fire Company.