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BEAR CREEK TWP. — Representatives of the fire and ambulance companies that provide emergency services in the township provided updates on their budgets and needs for the upcoming year at Monday’s monthly supervisors meeting.
While responding to informal questions from the township supervisors, fire company representatives discussed the need for a new truck that is expected to cost a half-million dollars. The supervisors were told the existing equipment leaks and could soon become unsafe.
While the truck isn’t needed immediately, fire company officials asked township officials to keep an eye out for grant opportunities to help augment the loan and fundraising efforts they expect to use to pay for the vehicle.
The emergency responders also discussed the need for additional volunteers. The fire company currently has a roster of about 25 while the ambulance company lists about 13 volunteers, and both could use many more, their leadership said.
The supervisors and responders discussed options such as the township providing scholarships to help pay for EMT training and the possibility of providing some form of crew quarters at the ambulance bay with amenities such as heat, Internet access, and a place to rest so that scheduled crews have a place to wait between calls. Options for getting more training scheduled were also discussed.
In another safety-related matter, the board of supervisors learned that it will cost an estimated half-million dollars to add a turning lane at Laurelbrook Road. A recent traffic study indicated that the turning lane is warranted, but the supervisors will need to investigate options for paying for the improvement.
The township will soon complete two other safety projects:
• All approvals for a speedbump at Golf Course Road have been received and the township will solicit bids for the work.
• The supervisors also approved having the township engineers draw up bid specifications for tree trimming in the White Haven-Pocono area to remove branches that are impeding views or the operation of plows. Bids for the project will be divided into sections of the area so that if cost becomes an issue, the supervisors can choose the areas most in need of trimming.
The board also approved advertising to fill a full-time position with benefits that will serve as zoning officer, public safety officer and roadmaster, with some additional, related duties.
The supervisors also approved a resolution in opposition to a new gas pipeline that is proposed to be laid through the township.