Walker to join study on regional police

Walker Township will be joining Tamaqua and Schuylkill Township in participating in a free study provided by the DCED to determine the feasibility of a regional police force.

At Thursday night's monthly meeting, supervisor David Price said that he had been contacted by Tamaqua Mayor Christian Morrison about the project. It was noted that there is no cost to the township to participate in the study.

Roadmaster Eric Leiby commended residents on their cleanup efforts during the recent snow storms. "I'd like to thank most of the residents for doing a great job in cleaning their driveways. Many of them did more than that," he noted. One resident did note that some people are pushing snow across township roads when they clear their driveways and sometimes leaving snow in the road. "These turn into speed bumps," he noted, and asked if people could be reminded to clear that snow if they are going to push snow across the road. Leiby added that the township has currently used about 275 tons of the 300 tons of salt that it purchased for the year.

There will be a joint meeting of the supervisors and the planning and zoning boards on March 11th, at 7:30 p.m. to discuss several challenges and proposed changes to the Eastern Schuylkill Plan. Township solicitor Michael Greek explained that there have been several challenges to the regional zoning plan in Schuylkill and Rush Townships and there is currently a question regarding solar parks which could affect Walker Township. "It's just better if we get the recommended changes, answer these questions, and kick it back to the ESP," he said. Following any changes, the plan would need to be sent to the county, re-advertised, and re-adopted by the municipalities.

The supervisors also discussed doing a traffic study on Kettle Road later in the year, to determine if the speed limit can be lowered from 55 mph to 25 mph. The township also received communication regarding the railroad crossing on Wildcat Road. The township has been asked to contribute up to $6,500 towards a design project for new crossing arms and signals. Once the design work is complete, the Reading and Northern Railroad would pay to have the signals installed, and would be able to submit the costs for State reimbursement. The supervisors had several concerns about liability to the township if they went ahead with the project. "There has never been an accident there," added township secretary Suzanne Borzak.

The supervisors adjourned the regular meeting to go into executive session regarding personnel matters.