A proposed trail project in Penn Forest Township drew sharp debate during the supervisors October meeting, with disagreements over how quickly the township should move forward on an easement agreement and related spending.

Supervisor Patrick Holland sought approval to proceed with an easement agreement involving the Jim Thorpe Area School District as part of the Penn Forest trail project. Holland said he wanted the township to move ahead with surveying the property and purchasing materials so that it could take advantage of grant funding before a mid-December deadline.

However, board Chairman Roger Meckes objected to moving forward before details of the land agreement had been fully reviewed. Meckes said he supports the trail project but wanted to ensure the contract was completed properly.

According to Holland, the township has an opportunity to spend up to $12,000 on a land survey and materials, with up to $6,000 eligible for reimbursement through grant funding if the work is completed before the deadline.

When the matter came to a vote, Meckes cast the lone dissenting vote. Following the vote, Holland urged residents not to support candidates who voted against the measure in November, stating that those officials did not care about children.

In other business, supervisors approved the distribution of Volunteer Fire Relief Funds, with $42,015.29 allocated to each of Penn Forest Fire Company No. 1 and Penn Forest Fire Company No. 2. The township also announced that Penn Forest Fire Company No. 1 will receive a rescue truck donated by the township.

The board approved the use of fire police for the Jim Thorpe Halloween Parade and authorized the purchase of new computer monitors and a battery for the township treasurer’s office at a cost of $1,351.15.

Supervisors also appointed Steven Hawk as an additional sewage enforcement officer and approved a resolution seeking a Local Share Account grant for a regional public safety radio modernization project benefiting Lehighton Ambulance.

Additionally, the board reduced Waste Management’s five-year performance bond by 50% for the remaining term and awarded the township’s 2026-27 snow removal contract to TRS Enterprise. The contract includes rates of $225 per hour for 8-ton trucks and $175 per hour for 2-ton trucks.