Fifteen people have come together to form a zoning ordinance committee in West Penn Township.

On a 2-1 vote, the township’s board of supervisors on Tuesday agreed to name the panel of members who will make up the committee. Supervisor Ted Bogosh was opposed.

Those named to the committee are Bob Stegmeier, Larry Zeigler, Tory Graver, Dave Frederick, Francis Bennick Sr., Bill Varano, Chester Snyder, Delroy Haas, Willis Helfrich Jr., Carlton Greve, David Imschweiler, Scott Soley, Donald Moore, Tamaqua Area School Board President Larry Wittig and Bogosh.

Jay Land, president and owner of Ringgold Acquisition Group II LLC, said he objected to putting Moore on the committee.

Land said Moore isn’t a resident of the township, and questioned his credentials to serve on the committee.

It was stated that Moore’s background is in planning and zoning.

Further, Land noted that Moore previously entered a fraudulent name on the record at a recent township meeting.

However, board Chairman Tony Prudenti told Land what’s fair for one is fair for all.

Land serves on the township’s Water Resources & Planning Steering Committee.

“I own real estate in this community,” Land said.

Prudenti told Land it’s because of his knowledge that he serves on that committee.

Whenever decisions go down, Prudenti said ultimately it’s the supervisors who take the heat.

“These are advisory boards,” Prudenti said. “These people are fact-finding for us.”

Moore told supervisors that in no way will he attempt to act as a professional engineer.

Last month, supervisors agreed to shelve making the entire Route 309 corridor a highway commercial district.

At that time, the board agreed to put the rezoning of 309 on hold until the township’s comprehensive plan is completed.

Prudenti recommended that supervisors not pursue the concept until they talk to Charles Schmehl of Urban Research Development.

Since the comprehensive plan is 23 years old, and the fact that the township is looking at updating its zoning, Prudenti said he believes it makes sense to do it all at once.

The township’s zoning ordinance is 30 years old, and needs to be brought up to date.

Supervisors agreed that the zoning ordinance committee will meet at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of each month.

Schmehl will attend the zoning ordinance committee’s first meeting.