Penn Forest Board reappoints Roger Meckes as chair, approves 2025 appointments and zero real-estate millage

Penn Forest Township held its Annual Reorganization Meeting on Jan. 6, 2025 at the township municipal building in Jim Thorpe. Supervisor Roger Meckes called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m., and the board completed roll call and routine reorganization business.

Supervisor Roger Meckes was elected chairman of the board for 2025; the motion to nominate Meckes was made by Supervisor Christian Bartulovich and seconded by Supervisor Patrick Holland, and carried on a roll-call vote. Supervisor Christian Bartulovich was nominated and approved as vice-chairman. Dana Vitale was appointed Confidential Secretary/Assistant Treasurer at $28.83 per hour; the board tabled appointment of a permanent township treasurer at $25.67 per hour and instead appointed Holly Rivera as temporary/per‑diem treasurer at $25.67 per hour. The board approved bonding coverage for the township treasurer and assistant treasurer—$10 million in coverage with a combined premium of $23,518.00.

The supervisors named internal and external appointees for 2025: Roger Meckes was appointed Roadmaster (with Meckes recorded as abstaining on that vote); Patrick Holland was named Assistant Roadmaster (Holland recorded as abstaining on that vote). Barry Isett and Associates, Inc. was appointed third‑party Building Code Official and township engineer; Hanover Engineering Associates was appointed Sewage Officer and Water Enforcement Officer. Attorney Tom Nanovic was reappointed township solicitor at a rate of $155 per hour and paralegal rate of $55 per hour. Greg Loftus and Jay York were appointed Zoning Officer and Assistant Zoning Officer; Shannon Meckes was named Planning Commission secretary on an as‑needed basis.

The board set personnel pay and operating parameters for 2025. The Roadmaster’s recommended annual salary was set at $8,499.96 (to be paid in 12 monthly installments and with $25 for each driveway permit reviewed), and an Assistant Roadmaster hourly rate of $25.00 was recommended. Supervisors’ annual salaries were set at $2,500 each, pursuant to Ordinance #1 of 2011 and the Second Class Township Code. Hourly rates for laborers and several part‑time positions were set at $22.05, the Working Foreman rate at $23.05, Code Enforcement Officer Gregory Loftus at $26.75, and administrative assistants at $23.71 and $22.05 respectively. The board also set municipal office hours at 8 a.m.–4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

On finance and taxes, the board approved Mauch Chunk Trust Co. as the township depository and adopted Resolution #3 of 2025 establishing the township tax rates: real estate tax at 0 mills, transfer tax at one‑half of 1 percent (split with JTASD), earned income tax at one‑half of 1 percent (split with JTASD), and an amusement tax of 2½ percent. The mileage reimbursement rate was set at $0.70 per mile (2025 federal rate). The board also authorized supervisors, the township secretary and treasurer to attend the 2025 PSATS conference in Hershey (May 4–7); appointment of the township voting delegate for the conference was tabled.

Several boards and positions were filled: Planning Commission members William Miller, Chris Rau, Dennis Habig, Stacey Venetos and James Denier were appointed to specified term end dates and will receive $10 per meeting; Zoning Hearing Board members Audrey Wargo, Patrick Walsh and Paul Fogal (and alternate Shawn Kresge) were appointed; Park and Recreation Board members Tammy Meckes, Katie Edmonds, Joanne Rice and Holly Rivera were appointed. Township auditors Christine Fazio, James Walck and Rebecca Hassenbein were appointed and will receive $10 per meeting plus mileage.

The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn approved at 6:52 p.m. Votes on motions and roll-call tallies were recorded throughout the meeting and are reflected in the meeting minutes.