The Lower Towamensing Township Board of Supervisors discussed eliminating commercial truck traffic on some of its steepest roads. The idea was brought before the board by Chairman Brent Green.

Green said the fire department had asked him if something could be done.Township solicitor James Nanovic asked why they had requested it.Green replied, "Because (trucks) keep crashing.""We have several roads with steep slopes," Green said. "Trucks are losing their brakes on them."Supervisor Jesse Mendez added, "It's become a safety factor."Just last week, a dump truck was coming down Boyer Farm Road and was unable to stop at the intersection with Forest Inn Road. The truck went over the guide rail and into the stream."Thank God there wasn't a school bus around," Supervisor Ron Walbert said.Nanovic said municipalities can restrict certain types of vehicles due to the weight or size.Green suggested four roads that should have restrictions: Boyer Farm Road, Stoney Ridge Road, Wintergreen Road and Golf Road.The problem is due to trucks using a GPS route meant for cars, he said. It's the fastest route, but "these steep roads are not meant for trucks."The supervisors agreed to look into setting restrictions and posting signs in areas that would be pre-emptive and let truck drivers know in enough time for them to go another route.Other mattersIn other business, the supervisors approvedtwo agreements with Palmerton Area School District and a waiver.Green said after the meeting that the waiver was for a financial security or bond and was waived because the developer is the school district and not considered a credit risk.The other two items were a developer's agreement, which is a standard agreement regarding inspections and similar items, and a water management agreement."They are doing stormwater management during construction," Green said. It's a "significant amount of work that will alleviate the water from the (construction) area."Walbert announced that the sewer line project is moving forward. The white markings on the roadways are control points for an aerial survey to determine elevation grades. A flyover is going to take place next week, he said."The project is finally underway after three decades," he said.The control points consist of a capital L and a number. There are about 50 control points, Walbert said.The supervisors also discussed the township's recycling center near the municipal building.Green said their hauler, Solomon Container Services in Wilkes-Barre, has decided not to renew its contract with the township. The contract ceases at the end of April."They said it's no longer profitable and they are not coming down," Green said.Mendez said he has plans to meet with another hauler and get more information.Walbert suggested talking to the township's garbage company, County Waste in Stroudsburg, and ask about recycling services. He would like to see a solution that eliminates materials for recycling being dropped off by people outside of the township."It should be for just our taxpaying citizens," he said.