Woodward Supers Discuss Utility Vehicle, Woolrich Fire Company River Use for Dive Training

By Christopher Miller

WOODWARD TOWNSHIP – Woodward Township Supervisors held their June meeting Tuesday evening at the township building.

Dunnstown Fire Company gave township supervisors their update for the year. Currently, the fire company has responded to 113 calls for the year. As well with normal calls and training, they are gearing up for food preparation and cooking at Riverfest next weekend.

Supervisors also discussed the possible purchase of a new utility vehicle to replace the current 1999 Chevrolet Suburban with over 200,000 miles on it.

“This new vehicle would respond to all normal calls that the current one goes to such as lift assists and downed trees,” supervisor Mike Fetzer said.

Possibilities for funding the purchase could be the township loaning the fire company the money, and the fire company using a grant they have for debt reduction to pay the loan back.

“As well, money from Act 13 could be donated to the fire company for use towards the new utility truck,” supervisor Kyle Coleman said. “Those funds can be used for parks and recreation, fire, or police services.”

While options exist for the purchase, supervisors would have to form some sort of an agreement of where the funds would be coming from for the purchase and the repayment of funds.

“This will not be 100% funded out of taxpayer funds,” Coleman said.

A special meeting would be held at the township building to discuss and vote on proceeding with the purchase or not.

In other news, supervisors are discussing installing guardrails along Crestview Drive. It was suggested to do either one section or one road a year. Supervisors are still contemplating the idea.

From the floor, resident Todd Smith brought up problems about water runoff in his backyard from the newly constructed Nittany Minit Mart, with runoff issues happening since December.

“I went to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and they said I need to go to the Conservation District. The Conservation District said I need to go to the township,” Smith said.

Smith also mentioned a paper that the Minit Mart engineer wants him to sign, but he was advised by township supervisors and the solicitor to not sign a paper until an attorney looks over it first.

Township resident Eric Jacobs mentioned that the water retention pond for runoff at the MInit Mart is an underground unit and it “is not working if you’re getting all the water runoff in your backyard.”

Smith was advised to keep the township supervisors updated after speaking with the Minit Mart engineer later this week.

Also from the floor, Woolrich Volunteer Fire Company Chief Brandon Coleman was on hand to ask permission to use township property for dive training.

“I am asking for formal approval to permit Woolrich Volunteer Fire Company to use areas for certified diver training,” Coleman said. “Not every person there or who comes out is a certified diver, we have support staff and bank staff there. We wouldn’t be using the river when there is an event happening there, but we are hoping to be able to use part of the river here and other areas outside of the township limits for diving approvals.

Township supervisors approved the request unanimously.