Dallas Township receives info on partnership grant

DALLAS TWP. -- Mark Van Etten explained the details of the proposed Back Mountain Community Partnership Local Share Account grant to supervisors at the public work session on Monday night.

Van Etten said the grant was being written by the NEPA Alliance and the amount being requested was not yet determined.

Vice Chairwoman Elizabeth Martin agreed to have the township sponsor the grant at the October partnership meeting. Van Etten said this meant all money, should the grant be approved, would be passed through the township.

Conrad Higgins asked which municipality the property purchased through the grant would belong to, since the township sponsors the grant. Van Etten said the municipality that requested the equipment would own it.

Martin said she would like to include a regular partnership report in the township meetings.

The partnership is a cooperative effort among participating municipalities to work together on various projects that may not be affordable for an individual community.

The board discussed lending its support to Misericordia University for a proposed grant to install sidewalks from the campus to Center Hill Road. There were concerns for student safety walking along the roadside to reach the local businesses. The board agreed to support the university in the matter.

The board discussed the ongoing dispute between Dallas Fire and Ambulance and Kunkle Fire Company regarding the lines of responsibility. Dallas Fire Chief Harry Vivian said they have reached an agreement on the areas of Lower Demunds Road and Spencer Road but are still trying to reach an agreement on a wooded area between Brown's Field and Martin's Pond.

Higgins said there is a meeting planned for this weekend with Kunkle's fire chief to review maps and make a decision.

We can get it straightened out, he said.

In other business:

•Van Etten announced that Lehman and Dallas Fire and Ambulance are prepared to move forward with a merger of their forces.

•Vivian submitted a proposal for an ordinance allowing the Dallas and Kunkle fire companies to bill insurance companies for costs generated by responding to calls.

•Police Sgt. Doug Higgins asked that the board consider an investment of approximately $1,400 for the purchase of a bar coding system for the evidence locker.

•The board approved Roadmaster Martin Barry to submit 10 problem streets for review to be classified for weight restrictions. It was noted that these restrictions would offer exemptions to local businesses.