Resident Charyl Caldonetti brought her concerns about the flooding that has been occurring in her yard before the Rush Township supervisors at this week's meeting.

Since the reconstruction of Rt. 309 last year, she said her yard floods so badly it becomes a swamp."I can't even cut the grass," Caldonetti said, adding that she also worries that there could be e-coli contamination involved in the flooding.PENNDOT told her they are not responsible, but have given her possible solutions on how Rush township can correct the problem of water drainage on to her property.She was advised to contact PENNDOT Schuylkill Haven and if that didn't bring results, to call state Sen. Argall or Rep. Jerry Knowles. Several tests were done on the property.Further investigation into this situation is pending.Resident Pat Tracy commented on the repair work that appeared to have been done on Purnell Ave., and asked for the potholes to be repaired."It still looks the same, but it looks like a fried egg," Tracy stated.Surpervisor Robert Liebensperger noted that a coldpatch was put on. Over the next 2-3 weeks there will be more repair activity concerning the road.Tracy also said she was tired of the negative comments being made about past supervisors at previous meetings."We want the township to go on", she said.Leibensperger noted that "mistakes happen and this board will make mistakes, too."The Fortunato building also sparked discussion. Former Supervisor George Pinkey stated that "a wise man knows immediately what takes the fool a long time" and what was predicted has come to pass.Pinkey says that the money spent that would have been better used in other ways. He challenged the supervisors to show an audit track of how money was repaid to the sewer funding, referring back to the Fortunato building property demolition.A question was also raised where the debris from the Fortunato building was disposed. Although the debris was said to have been dumped in a landfill, no one can actually pinpoint where that landfill is. Residents feel that the supervisors have a responsibility to know where the building and its contents were taken.Pinkey also commented on the improper display of flags outside the township building on Memorial Day. He volunteered to handle the situation in the future. The supervisors agreed and thanked him for his efforts.Road debateA debate developed between Supervisors Shawn Gilbert and Robert Leibensperger when Gilbert questioned the road construction on Kahler Hill. Gilbert is concerned of what could happen with a shoulder that is not holding up."We paid $100,000 to an engineering company to put a road in with shoulders. They were supposed to make sure that the road work was done correctly. We paid and we are liable," says Gilbert.Pinkey commented that perhaps the type of stone used should have been different. Leibensperger responded that everything was done by Alfred Benesch and Company, which engineered the road while PENNDOT looked over the specs and checked everything out. In the fall, more stone will be added to the shoulder.A question was brought up as to the amount of money that Robert Dunn pays the township each year. Dunn and his wife own the Hometown Farmer's Market on Rt 54. According to Leibensperger, the Dunns pay $5,000 a year to the township."That's peanuts!" said Joe Shamonsky, Jr.He suggested that maybe the township should charge the vendors a monthly fee. Leibensperger said he agreed, but noted that the agreement of the $5,000 was made by a previous administration.Resident Lori Lewis voiced her concerns on the safety of fire pits. She says that the smoke comes in her home from a neighbor's fire pit and affects her children. One of them has asthma and has had to go to the doctors several times from the smoke.She is requesting that an existing ordinance from 1991 be reviewed for revision. She also noted that Tamaqua has revised their ordinance last year because of the pits.Barry Messerschmidt, fire chief, said the fire pits are no different than a charcoal grill and he's not sure what kind of ordinance could be put into place."It goes back to common courtesy and common sense" he said. Supervisors Chairman Steve Simchak said they will have the solicitor take a look at it and give his recommendations at the next meeting.Gilbert wanted it noted that we are over the $10,000 budget for computers and that he did not approve that. He says there are plenty of computer companies out there and thinks it should have been bid.Gilbert and Leibensperger also had a discussion on cellular and landline auto dialer for Tidewood. After some debate, Gilbert asked that minutes from the past meetings concerning this issue be pulled and presented for the next meeting.Duane Frederick announced that the first meeting of the Neighborhood Crime Watch Program will be held on Wednesday, July 7 at 6 p.m. at the municipal building. The meeting is open to anyone wishing to become part of a neighbor crime watch.Success of the program will depend on the cooperation of the residents. This initial meeting will determine if there is enough interest in the community to organize the program.Assistance of the Rush Township Fire police at the Fireman's Convention Parade on June 26 was approved. Also approved was a Rush Township Police Department Petty Cash Policy.The supervisors also voted to adopt a resolution which states that the supervisors agree to payback the remaining balance owed to the Hometown sewer Investment Fund of $54,803, plus 3 percent interest with quarterly payments to begin the fiscal year of January 2011 and end December 2012. This amount will satisfy the withdrawal of funds made on Feb. 8, 2007.