Kidder Township supervisors give manager a raise

Kidder Township Manager Suzanne Brooks’ probation period was lifted early, and she was given a $4,000 raise at the Kidder Township supervisors meeting on Thursday. In a strong vote of confidence in her, supervisors voted to end the probation time and also boost her salary, effective the first pay period in August.

A lot of planning went into a decision to buy two new Stryker powered cot systems for the Lake Harmony Rescue Squad’s two units. There was a demonstration of the stretcher earlier. It was agreed unanimously to approve to spend $70,000 from the ambulance fund. The two cots and their special lift systems cost $95,785, and a five-year extended warranty is $22,069 more. There will also be installation costs when the units arrive in late September. The extra costs will be made up through fundraising.

Supervisors voted to advertise a workshop to craft an ordinance about mobile food carts/food trucks.

In reports, Supervisor Tom LaFond of the police committee met with officials of the Jim Thorpe School District about the Penn-Kidder Campus having a police officer in the school six hours a day. The school district would pay the costs.

Roadmaster Bruce Berger reported the work on Henning and Old Stage Roads is done — and lines have been painted on both. There are some punch list items on the Old Stage work to be completed. He noted that the stormwater improvements have been working well on Henning. Leaf and debris pickup has been done in areas along North Lake Drive, and the crew will also go out to clean the new screen on the stormwater improvements on Henning.

Brooks thanked supervisors for the raise and her new official status. She’s seeing that the crew keeps making rounds on leaf and debris cleanup. The township’s electronics recycling is coming up on Aug. 3. People are reminded to come out early, as the truck will leave once it is full and that will end the day, and it filled up fast last time.

After being approved for a short extension for his subdivision plan earlier this spring, Mark Jones has decided to withdraw his plans. He still is obligated to complete the cleanup of his property, including seeing that stormwater remains on his lot — as he has removed many of the trees.

The Beef & Beer fundraiser for the Penn-Kidder Library was postponed due to weather, now scheduled for Thursday evening at Jack Frost National. The Parade of Boats fundraiser is the afternoon of Aug. 11, raising money for Lake Harmony first responders (ambulance and fire). The Float Your Boat fundraiser for the hike and bike trail is the afternoon of Aug. 17 at the Split Rock lagoon.

The next regular township meeting is at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 15 at the township building. The public is welcome.