Manchester Township discusses fire equipment, makes appointments for board vacancies

The Manchester Township Fire Department recently purchased and equipped a new brush/ utility truck. Mirror File photo by Micah Fox.

by Sybil Kolon

All board members were present at the March 10 board meeting except John Seefeld and Kim Thompson. Also present were fire chief Mike Kouba, planning commissioners Jim Carpenter and Carl Werner, and a few members of the public.

Kouba provided the monthly report for February. There were 46 calls for service. There has been a significant increase in calls for service, up to 121 year to date. Standard meetings trainings and equipment checks completed. Kouba also reported that a new utility truck has been put into service. Captain Booth provided details about how the truck was funded. Nathan (Al) and Anna Alber provided the funding in a gift to the Dutchman’s Firefighters Association in 2017. When the decision was made to purchase a new truck to assist with fighting brush fires and other smaller incidents, it was decided these funds would fulfill the donors’ intention.

Seasoned firefighters were able to outfit the truck with all needed equipment. The total cost of the truck was $75,000. Some equipment from the old utility truck was utilized to outfit the new truck. The old utility truck will be used for general transportation.

Supervisor Ron Milkey reported that zoning administrator Carl Macomber had issued a zoning permit for two new residences and two decks. The civil infraction issued in January for continued blight issues on Lakeside Drive was paid by the resident. The township continues to monitor the status of the blight at that location.

Milkey reported that a paid notice in the Manchester Mirror on February 18 caused some “confusion,” as it sought input regarding a cell tower proposed on Noggles Road between Herman Road and Austin Road. The notice is required by the FCC to seek comment on “potential effects on cultural or historic properties.” Milkey explained that The Towers, LLC has been in touch with the township but has not applied for the permit. Once an application is received, the proposed 199-foot, monopole tower will go through the normal process of review by the Manchester Township Planning Commission. Another monopole cell tower on Schleweis Road was recently approved by the planning commission and is in the early stages of construction.

The board passed a resolution to be sent to Norvell Township regarding the proposed gravel mine adjacent to Watkins Lake State Park and County Preserve. The resolution clearly outlines the concerns the board has about the impact the proposed mine would have on the park, and that such a use could negatively affect Manchester Township residents who use the park. The resolution calls for a careful and comprehensive review of the proposal.

The board appointed Grant Rieff to fill the planning commission vacancy left when George Daubner retired. It also appointed Brett Lockridge to serve as an alternate on the Zoning Board of Review.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.