Ellen McGinnis of the Lake Harmony Rescue Squad addressed the board of supervisors Thursday evening with news that the Carbon County Bureau of Elections has approved its request for a ballot referendum which, if passed, would result in an increase in millage from 0.5 to 1.3 for the ambulance service.

McGinnis said that without the increase the rescue squad would be forced to cease its 24-hour service.The handout prepared for the meeting explained that the increase was needed due a 30 percent reduction in insurance payments over the last four years, an increase in salaries and workers' compensation, building, and vehicle, maintenance and insurance costs.The current tax revenue no longer supports the 24-hour-per-day service.The referendum does eliminate the current annual subscription fee for township residents.The annual fee of $50 per person and $80 per family will no longer apply.Under the new plan all residents will receive the same services.The increase would result in a $40 per $50,000 of assessed home value.In other business, township resident Chuck Webber presented the board of supervisors with a document titled Public Safety Concerns, Proposed PennEast/UGI Pipeline.The document was prepared by Save Carbon County and details numerous safety concerns of the group regarding the PennEast pipeline which is currently before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for approval.The document, which has also been presented to the Carbon County Commissioners, raises concerns with the type and class of pipe proposed to be used in the Pennsylvania construction as well as the inspection protocol.The document specifically calls out UGI as having a poor record for maintaining distribution lines in Pennsylvania.