C'mon baby, light my fire........as long as it's contained, and no more than three feet in diameter and two feet high.

During a meeting Thursday, Rush supervisors amended the township's existing ordinance regarding open burning by defining recreational and ceremonial fires.A recreational fire must be contained in an outdoor fireplace such as a chiminea or in a fire ring formed by stone or bricks. Only a civic or religious organization with tax exempt status may have a ceremonial fire, such as a bonfire.Supervisors also adopted an ordinance prohibiting nuisances, such as open wells or dilapidated buildings, or other hazards which are a threat to public safety. The ordinance prescribes penalties for violations.Supervisors awarded a $79,630 contract to Midland Asphalt Materials, Bloomsburg, to seal coat roads. The scope of the work will include various township roads in the northern end of the township.Midland Asphalt was the lowest of four bidders. The supervisors rejected all five bids for the township's wood chipper, as too low, and decided to re-advertise for bids.As recommended by the Rush Planning Commission, the supervisors motioned to return the first draft of the Eastern Schuylkill Regional Planning (ESRP) Zoning and SALDO back to ESRP, with no comments or revisions. Rush is one of four entities (with Walker and Schuylkill townships, and Tamaqua, who are reviewing the ordinances prior to adoption of the regional plans.According to the timetable for ESRP adoption, the ESRP representatives will meet in August to discuss and vote on the comments and any proposed changes and/or additions. If there are any changes, they will be incorporated into the existing documents. In September, the representatives will meet to formally adopt the ESRP.After October 1, the final documents return to the municipalities and the formal adoption process begins there, as required by the Pennsylvania Municipalities Code (PMC). As required by the PMC, each municipality will hold a public hearing on the matter.Representatives for ESRP are Carl Smulligan (Tamaqua), Bob Ritsick (Rush Township), Dave Price (Walker Township) and Charles Hosler and Charles Stancavage (both from Schuylkill Township).Voters from Rush Township-Elixir section will no longer vote at the old schoolhouse on Holly Road. The historical building, the site of the first elementary school in the township, is presently owned by the Schuylkill County Barbershop Association and listed for sale.Beginning with the next election, Rush Township-Elixir voters will use the Municipal Building as the voting precinct for Primary and General Elections.Thomas Fort was hired as a part-time police officer at a rate of $13.25 per hour.Rush Police Sgt. Duane Fredericks said that earlier in the day, he had responded to a couple's home to investigate an attempted scam. A caller, identifying himself as the couple's nephew, said he'd been jailed and needed them to wire money to him. Before they did so, the couple contacted the Rush Township Police Department for advice and Fredericks was able to prevent the action.He warned township residents to be aware of the issue.