Firefighters have difficulty gaining entrance to smoky house

Under public comment at the March 6 Washington Township supervisors meeting, Joel Merkel, chief of the Friedens Fire Company, said the company had responded to a call for smoke coming out of a house from a possible chimney fire. When they arrived, no one was home.

They checked all doors and windows for access, and called the state police. Merkel said that was what they had been told to do all through training.

When the police arrived they refused to help or give authorization for the firefighters to force entry.

Solicitor John Ashley said if it looks like an emergency endangering a person, firefighters had better make an access.

Merkel said he called the dispatcher.

A second police officer said he would help if they were sure a person was in danger.

Merkel asked if the police do nothing, where does he stand.

When the owner returned, he said he had put wet wood on the fire and that was why there was more smoke.

Ashley told Friedens they should talk to neighboring fire companies and see what they do in a similar situation.

Other business

• Sherry Graver, emergency management coordinator, said trees were down and there were still power outages from the past storm. An emergency center was open but only during the day as a place of warmth, not as an overnight shelter.

• Act 172 to give tax reimbursements to emergency volunteer workers was adopted.

• A junkyard license was approved for Victor Hanna at 4162 Best Station Road. Another was approved for Siberini and Son Container Service at 2861 Cemetery St., which was previously the Kathy Jones yard.

• Land at 4141 Hilldale Road was approved for inclusion into the agriculture security area. It is 85.2 acres.

• An $850 donation was released for the Eagles Nest Recreation Park.

• The Friedens Fire Company received a $20,000 donation.

• A liquor license was transferred to DKS LLC at 6966 Route 873 with conditions that no structural changes are to be made; there will be no outdoor seating; there must be at least 30 indoor seats; a 400-square-foot area is covered by the license; and sales stop at 10 p.m.

• Cleanup day is to be from 8 a.m. to noon June 2.

• A temporary certificate of occupancy may be issued to homes of LTS if the homes are not completed due to such things as weather. People can move in, but an anticipated date of completion must be given.