Several complaints about road conditions were brought to the Towamensing Township supervisors at their May 5 meeting.

One at 990 East James St. was caused by French drains a neighbor put in. The resident said Supervisor Rodney George had checked it out the previous day and laughted at him. The post office says a ditch has to be filled in.At Helen Street and Forest Inn Road the road department had been out every year. He said the township is creating a stream system of drainage, not sheeting. The blacktop was torn up this year when attempts were made to fix it. The resident said he has two driveways and cannot get out of either. There had been grass there and it is needed again. George said he would be out Friday, Supervisor Penny Kleintop said she would visit also.Water runs down the road on 57 Drive.Carl Steinberg said on the corner of Bartholomew and Summer Mountain roads there is a blind intersection. He asked why there could not be a "stop except for right turn sign." George said he had some in stock.Forest Inn and Stagecoach roads also have bushes blocking the view.Lou Troester said culverts on Route 209 and Forest Inn are not marked.Fire Chief Wayne Knirnschild said there would be no Village Fest this year because people are not willing to work it and fewer people could be expected because of the economy.Earl Beers said, "Wow, after I haven't been here for months I walk into a hornet's nest." He asked who put "no trespassing" signs at the ball park.George said the township put them up. "Was it done by resolution?" asked Beers.He said a lot of municipalities are putting money into open space and recreation. "Why not a walking trail in the woods?"He asked how many miles of paved roads there are in the township. George said there are 67, the most of any township in the county. Beers asked how many miles were paved or repaved last year.George said about three on Lovatt, Forest Inn and Country Acres."And we are going to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a paver. You had to take the secretary out as a flagger a few years ago. I don't think a paving machine is worth it," said Beers.He said they were talking about a new municipal building when the gable ends of a present building do not have siding. Doors are wrecked, soffit and fascia are blowing. He wanted to know who was responsible for daily maintenance outside the building because it looks as shabby as the ballpark.He wanted to know who picked the design for the township building. Few people at the meeting where the engineering plan was shown liked it.Glenn Beers was asked to report on the meeting with PPL about crops grown under power lines. A proposal was given to PPL that would allow trees up to 20 feet in height for crops - no wild trees. Crop trees would be orchards, Christmas trees and nursery stock.Insurance for the fire company during bingo that allows smoking was not resolved. Fire Chief Wayne Knirnschild said no one will provide insurance for one day a week. Kleintop said the fire company could buy insurance of the type the township usually bought and the township would refund the cost as a donation.Supervisor Tom Newman said a meeting with the insurance company should be held anyway.Kleintop asked why Aquashicola Fire Company was not called for a fire that was closer to it than Towamensing was. Knirnschild said Aquashicola was first on the scene.Secretary Lora Nothstein made calls and the flag at the fire company communications tower has been replaced. Sen. David Argall sent replacements for the U.S. and state flags at the municipal building. They were asked why there was no POW flag.Summer hours of four days a week and the possibility of having extended hours one day a week were discussedResident Guy Seifert said as a government building it should be open five days a week. Newman said they should reconsider. It was tabled.The accountants suggested the township get a credit card with a limit of $10,000 because it leaves a better paper trail. The secretary, roadmaster and assistant roadmaster would have cards.Forty acres of the Dwight Eisenhower property have been proposed for the Ag Security Area. Roy Christman of the ag board wants to send letters to everyone with 10 acres or more urging them to put land into ag security."Ag Security is the only program that costs no money but has benefits," said Glenn Beers.Chris Storm will draft a plan for another ball field at the recreation park. A light pole that blew over will be replaced. People have seen the lights left on late at night and, at least once, overnight.Library representative Charles Loviolette asked if a fundraising letter can go out with the next newsletter. It can. He is also looking for sponsors for a golf tourney the library is sponsoring.Susy Seifert said the sports parent clubs have to fund 25 percent of the cost of sports to retain them in Palmerton. Seventy-five percent of sports offered by the Colonial League have to be offered for a school to remain in the league. She suggested placement of sponsors' ads around the perimeter of the fields along with corporate sponsors.Letters of interest are being sought for an alternate for the zoning hearing board.The CERT training program of neighbors helping neighbors in emergencies will be held May 9, 16 and 23. Contact Tom Newman or the township. There is no fee.