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Penn Forest supervisors approve routine finances, award snow-removal contract and begin environmental advisory ordinance
Summary
At the Oct. 6 meeting the Penn Forest Township Board approved minutes and bills, accepted a $130-per-hour snow-removal bid, authorized $42,080.42 in fire relief payments, began drafting an Environmental Advisory Council ordinance, and ratified a banking change after alleged fraudulent activity.
The Penn Forest Township Board of Supervisors met on Oct. 6, 2025, at the municipal building in Jim Thorpe and approved a slate of routine financial and administrative measures while beginning work on an environmental advisory ordinance and ratifying a banking change prompted by alleged fraudulent activity.
Chairman Roger Meckes called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and the board first approved minutes from three prior meetings and accepted the September Treasurer’s Report. The Treasurer reported total funds on deposit of $11,819,947.17 across accounts and certificates of deposit; the board voted to accept the report, subject to audit, and to pay the September bills.
The board opened sealed bids for winter 2025–26 snow removal and accepted a bid from DRS Enterprises LLC at $130.00 per hour for a 2-ton dump truck and salt spreader. Supervisors also approved distribution of $42,080.42 in 2025 fire relief funds to the township’s two fire companies.
Supervisor Christian Bartulovich moved, and the board approved, a pay increase for Code Enforcement/Zoning official Jay York to $26.75 per hour. Bartulovich also secured board approval to begin drafting an ordinance to create an Environmental Advisory Council; the vote authorized staff to start the ordinance-writing process but did not adopt any ordinance language.
The board approved paying $3,500 for an assessment of the property at 232 Stony Mountain Road and approved equipment purchases for winter maintenance, including a cutting edge ($12,030) and spreader ($8,250) totaling $20,280. That equipment vote passed 4–1, with Chairman Meckes dissenting. The board separately authorized up to $200 per year for a trail-camera SIM card and plan.
Supervisor James Denier moved to restore the Treasurer position (Holly Rivera) to full-time, effective immediately, and the board approved the change. Denier also moved to ratify closing the “Premium Community Checking” account because of alleged fraudulent activity, to open a “New General Fund 2025” account, and to adopt Resolution No. 10 of 2025 formalizing the change; the board passed those motions. The board additionally closed the Rent account and directed future rent deposits to the General Fund and adopted a township purchasing/pickup/receipts policy.
On administration of online submissions, a motion by Supervisor Scott Lignore to restrict OpenGov application submissions to township business hours and require manual approval failed 1–4; the board then voted unanimously to investigate the proposal and place it on the November agenda.
During the public-comment period, residents raised concerns about short-term rental permits, a data center ordinance in progress, and other community matters. With no further business the board adjourned at 8:47 p.m.
Votes at a glance: The meeting recorded multiple roll-call votes. Notable tallies: approval of minutes and financial items—unanimous; award of the DRS Enterprises snow-removal bid—unanimous; distribution of $42,080.42 in fire relief—unanimous; purchase of snowplow cutting edge and spreader—4 yes, 1 no (Meckes); motion to restrict OpenGov submissions—1 yes, 4 no (motion failed); referral to investigate OpenGov—unanimous; ratification of account closure due to alleged fraud and adoption of Resolution No. 10 of 2025—unanimous.
The board set its next regular meeting for Nov. 3, 2025.
