Washington Township supervisors voted to release $20,000 to the Star Hose Company, Emerald, at the June 6 meeting. Each of the three companies in the township receive a large contribution annually.

A contingent from the fire companies asked for help since recruitment has become more difficult. They would like a tax break to make it of more benefit for people to join the volunteer companies. Robert Schramel of the Slatedale Citizen's Fire Company spoke and was joined in by other firefighters.Supervisor Josh Friebolin said he would be in favor of the tax break but believes it should be on a multimunicipal route and parameters should be set."We need something soon," said Supervisor Gary Van Norman.The fire companies said they get dispatched for minor calls that are under control before they reach the area. It was called "our liability for a nuisance."Neighbors are calling against neighbors, but when we ask them to donate toward the companies they fail to do so. Friedens said it had 14 calls in a month, and nine of them were rubbish calls. "We have to have a way to stop this tit-for-tat calling."Friebolin asked the fire company representatives to stay after the meeting to discuss it further.It would be dependent on how many hours and each person puts in on calls and for training. That record would be kept digitally.Scheduled for paving this year are Christmas Lane and Limestone Road. Tar and chipping will be done on Lovers Lane, School Road, Bottom Road, Valley Road, Washington Street, Cider Press Road, Werley's Road and Overlook Road. Bid requests are advertised.A thank-you letter for a donation to the child abuse program was received from Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin.Part-time laborer Cameron Kates has been hired at $15 per hour.Under public comment, John Perich said he was cleaning up his property when a man stopped and said he was from the township and that Perich was not allowed to burn the yard waste and other items.He said he was told burning was OK in a masonry fireplace. There are three places on Rextown Road that he knows of that burn. If supervisors want to enforce no burning, it has to be everywhere.Friebolin said the township received a $30,000 grant for a leaf vacuum, and as part of the grant, the township was required to set the no-burning regulation.The free smoke detector program in Emerald has been to all the houses where residents were home. This is a program sponsored by Emergency Management, fire companies and the Red Cross.Robert Elbich of Weisenberg Township urged support for the additional $5 fee on car registrations. The money will go to the townships for road and bridge work. He said Washington Township would receive $500,000, but it would have to be matched. Elbich said he is working as a citizen advocate for the program. Three counties in the state have passed it.Ed Ziegler said Neffs is changing its burning ordinance, and Whitehall forbids the burning of diapers in a barrel.Chad Christman asked for permission to apply for a grant to put lights on the Emerald baseball field. Friebolin said the township does not own the ball fields.