While Eldred Township supervisors continue to look for a new roadmaster, they approved appointing one of their own as a part-time temporary public works supervisor at their meeting Wednesday night.

Supervisor Blaine Silfies will fill in as roadmaster until someone is hired. The former roadmaster, Frank Fehlinger, turned in his resignation in April, and his last day on the job was May 13.

Supervisor Scott Clark said compensation and hours will be determined by the supervisors. Silfies said he would abstain from voting on those two subjects.

A resident asked how the road crew is going to get anything done with just three people on staff.

Clark said they have interviewed four candidates for the public works supervisor position, and want to hire another person for the road crew. It has been difficult to get people to apply for the jobs, but they have a couple more interviews to do.

There were some comments from a resident about the public works crew cutting grass.

“Public works encompasses all aspects of the township,” Clark said.

Silfies said the current crew has been doing some mowing and yardwork, instead of roadwork, but it was needed and they’ll be back on the roads soon.

Supervisors’ Chairman Gary Hoffman said he thinks the issue is that the township has the same problem as many municipalities. There just aren’t enough people applying for the jobs.

“We had two interviews tonight, and we need more,” he said. “We don’t just have truck drivers anymore. They’re public works. They have to paint. They have to do jobs as assigned. That’s what public works is at. Some guys don’t want to do that. Some guys think they’re going to sit in a truck seat and hold a steering wheel. That’s not the case. That can’t be that way in our township.”

In other business, the supervisors approved the following:

• Bids will be sought for maintenance work on the Stone Arch Bridge;

• The gate on the north end of the Stone Arch Bridge will be removed, but the gate on the south end will remain until boulders can be put in place of the gate;

• The website link for the Parks Committee will be added to the township website;

• Appointing Doug Berger as the township’s temporary auditor until the next election;

• Replacing non-LED light bulbs within the township buildings in order to cut energy costs;

• Asking Altronics Security Systems in Bethlehem to provide a cost for an upgrade of service and equipment; and

• Hiring a roofing company to patch at least two more holes that are allowing water to leak through at the community center for up to $1,500.

It was also mentioned that this weekend is the wedding dress sale at the Eldred Township Community Center.